War Movies About Afghanistan

From Bahman Ghobadi, starring Soran Ebrahim, Avaz Latif, Saddam Hossein Feysal, Hiresh Feysal Rahman
Rated PG-13

Turtles Can Fly is an Iranian drama film directed by Bahman Ghobadi. Set in Iraqi Kurdistan on the eve of the US invasion in 2003, it tells the story of a group of refugee children as they prepare for the imminent war. The main character is a 13-year-old orphaned boy named Soran. He is known as 'Satellite' because of his skill in repairing and installing satellite dishes, which has made him a leader among the children. He helps the other children to cope with the chaotic situation, while trying to protect his own younger brother and sister. The film explores themes of war, displacement, survival, friendship, and hope in the face of uncertainty. Despite the grim backdrop of war, the director shows the resilience of the children, as they try to find joy in their difficult situation.

From Jehane Noujaim, starring Samir Khader, Josh Rushing, George W. Bush, Hassan Ibrahim
Rated Not Rated

Control Room is a documentary that provides an up close and personal look at the inner workings of the Arab news network, Al Jazeera. Jehane Noujaim examines the relationship between the U.S. military and the Arab media and how they each chose to tell the same story differently during the war in Iraq. The film also focuses on how the media coverage of the war has influenced public opinion in the Middle East, the U.S. and around the world. The film follows Al Jazeera correspondents and producers, U.S. military personnel and international journalists as they try to make sense of the war unfolding around them. In the process, it reveals the complexities of media coverage in a war zone and the role of media in times of conflict.

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce
Rated R

The Hurt Locker is a 2008 war drama directed by Kathryn Bigelow. It follows the story of the Bravo Company, a US Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, serving in Iraq during the Iraq War. The film follows the team's leader, Staff Sergeant William James, as he and his team engage in a number of dangerous and highly volatile missions, often involving the dismantling of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Through these missions, the team learns to cope with the high risk and intensity of their environment, while also dealing with the emotional toll that the war has taken on each of them. As the team struggles to survive in the chaotic and unpredictable warzone, the film ultimately tells a powerful story about the human cost of war, and the personal sacrifices that soldiers must make in order to protect the lives of others.

From Alex Gibney, starring Alex Gibney, Brian Keith Allen, Moazzam Begg, Christopher Beiring
Rated R

Taxi to the Dark Side (2007) is a documentary by Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney that examines the effects of the War on Terror on the human rights of detainees held in U.S. custody. Through interviews of soldiers, detainees, and government officials, the film reveals how the U.S. government has effectively legalized torture. The film follows the death of an Afghani taxi driver, Dilawar, who was tortured while in U.S. custody, and his family's struggle for justice. The film also examines the subsequent deaths of other detainees in U.S. custody, including those at Abu Ghraib. Ultimately, the film serves as a warning of the dangers of unchecked power and a call to action against human rights abuses.

From Patricia Foulkrod, starring Herold Noel Jr., Robert Acosta, Sean Huze, Kelly Dougherty
Rated R

"The Ground Truth" is a 2006 documentary by director Patricia Foulkrod that examines the physical and psychological damages of war experienced by American soldiers in the Iraq War. It follows the stories of six veterans who have returned from Iraq, focusing on their struggles with PTSD, depression and physical injuries. Through interviews with veterans, military personnel and government officials, the film reveals the atrocities of war and the lack of support for veterans upon their return home. It also exposes the false promises made to soldiers before they deployed, and the struggles they faced while trying to receive medical care and compensation from the government. Ultimately, the film serves as an important reminder of the human cost of war and the need for adequate support for our veterans.

From Janus Metz, starring
Rated Not Rated

Armadillo is a 2010 war documentary by Danish director Janus Metz. It follows a six-month deployment of a unit of Danish soldiers of the Jutland Dragoon Regiment in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The film is a raw and unflinching look at the realities of war, focusing on the young soldiers' experiences of fear, boredom, and camaraderie as they struggle to survive their deployment and eventually confront their own morality. It is a powerful exploration of the life of a modern soldier and a meditation on the nature of war.

From Errol Morris, starring Megan Ambuhl Graner, Javal Davis, Ken Davis, Anthony Diaz
Rated R

From Directors: Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger, starring The Men of Battle Company 2nd of the 503rd Infantry Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Juan 'Doc Restrepo, Dan Kearney, LaMonta Caldwell
Rated R

From Deborah Scranton, starring Zack Bazzi, Duncan Domey, Ben Flanders, Mike Moriarty
Rated Not Rated

From Siddiq Barmak, starring Marina Golbahari, Zubaida Sahar, Khwaja Nader, Mohammad Arif Herati
Rated PG-13

From Paul Haggis, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jonathan Tucker, Jason Patric
Rated R

From Oren Moverman, starring Ben Foster, Samantha Morton, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone
Rated R

From Jim Sheridan, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, Sam Shepard
Rated R

From Laura Poitras, starring Dr. Riyadh, Aaron Castle, Scott Farren-Price, Renato Gonclaves
Rated Not Rated

From Sam Mendes, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Lucas Black, Scott MacDonald
Rated R

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Jason Isaacs, Greg Kinnear, Igal Naor
Rated R

From Directors: Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker, starring Bryant Davis, Devon Dixon, Javorn Drummond, Elliot Lovett
Rated PG-13

From Kimberly Peirce, starring Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rob Brown
Rated R