Summaries

The friendship between Christophe de Ponfilly and Commander Massoud, a legendary figure of the Afghan resistance against the Soviet invader, goes back to the filmmaker's first film, "A Valley Against an Empire", made in 1981. Fifteen years later, weakened, isolated, betrayed by many of his own, the "Lion of Panshir" has not surrendered to his new and implacable enemies, the Taliban. While preparing his next offensive, he evokes his commitment and his fights, and bears witness to a history in which he has been one of the main actors for twenty years. At the same time, the director questions the role and power of the media, as well as his own approach as a filmmaker. Commander Massoud was killed in an attack in September 2001.

Details

Keywords
  • cia central intelligence agency
  • warlord
  • taliban
  • afghan politics
  • panjshir valley afghanistan
Genres
  • History
  • War
  • Documentary
Release date Dec 8, 1998
Countries of origin France
Language English Russian French Pashtu
Filming locations Afghanistan
Production companies Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC) La Sept-Arte Interscoop

Box office

Gross US & Canada $26747
Opening weekend US & Canada $5859
Gross worldwide $42472

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 29m
Color Color
Sound mix Mono
Aspect ratio

Synopsis

All Filters