The Kite Runner (2007)

Director:

Marc Forster

Writers (WGA):

David Benioff (screenplay)
Khaled Hosseini (novel)

Release Date:

26 December 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

There is a way to be good again.

Plot:

After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble. |

Plot Keywords:

Controversial | Escape | Child Rape | Pakistan | Stoning

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Khalid Abdalla	...	Amir
Atossa Leoni	...	Soraya
Shaun Toub	...	Rahim Kahn
Sayed Jafar Masihullah Gharibzada	...	Omar
Zekeria Ebrahimi	...	Young Amir
Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada	...	Young Hassan
Mir Mahmood Shah Hashimi	...	Business Man in Baba's Study
Homayoun Ershadi	...	Baba
Nabi Tanha	...	Ali
Elham Ehsas	...	Young Assef
Bahram Ehsas	...	Wali
Tamim Nawabi	...	Kamal
Mohamad Nabi Attai	...	Uncle Saifo the Kite Seller
Mohamad Nadir Sarwari	...	Spice Merchant
Mustafa Haidari	...	Party Worker

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for strong thematic material including the rape of a child, violence and brief strong language.

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Dari | Pashtu | Urdu | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Finland:K-13 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A | Ireland:15A | Malaysia:U | Brazil:12 | USA:PG-13 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Sweden:11 | Hong Kong:IIA | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:12 | Germany:12 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:14A

Filming Locations:

Berkeley, California, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

Due to Afghan mores concerning male rape, Paramount Vantage agreed to relocate the young actors out of the country to the United Arab Emirates and arrange visas, housing and schooling for the young actors and jobs for their guardians. Paramount Vantage accepts responsibility for the living expenses of Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Ali Danish Bakhty Ari and Sayed Jafar Masihullah Gharibzada until they reach adulthood, a cost some estimated at up to $500,000.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The last scene shows the kites flying in a strong wind, but there is none at ground level (note her hair), nor matching chop on the water, and the glimpse of a sailboat suggests a breeze from the another direction.

Quotes:

[from trailer]
Older Hassan (voice): I dream that my son will grow up to be a good person, a free person. I dream that someday you will return to revisit the land of our childhood. I dream that flowers will bloom in the streets again... and kites will fly in the skies!

Movie Connections:

References The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Soundtrack:

Dukhtare Darya

Fantastic Cinematography

I just saw it at an advance screening I haven't read the book, but heard many good things about it.

The movie was absolutely fantastic, very moving. With a roller coaster of emotions you totally connect with the characters. Shaun Toub was great, it was a complete departure from his usual roles, and his acting for those who understand Persian/Dari was incredible.

One thing to notes it that Khaled Hosseini actually loved the film which is unusual for book adaptation movies. Even after seeing the movie several times "he was sobbing".

Also the animation from the intro was exquisite, with names displayed as if it were Persian calligraphy, very unique! At times the translation was not clearly conveying the message efficiently, but all in all this was a great movie.