Golshifteh Farahani Stars in Afghan Drama When She Hears the Bells
Director Chabname Zariab explores the exploitation of children and women in Taliban-era Afghanistan.
1Film Premiere and Premise
The feature film When She Hears the Bells, directed by Chabname Zariab, premieres at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Starring Golshifteh Farahani as a widow named Leila, the story follows her struggle in Kabul during the 2021 Taliban takeover, where she discovers a house practicing the exploitative bacha bazi tradition.
2The Bacha Bazi Practice
Bacha bazi involves young boys forced to dress as women and perform for entertainment and sexual exploitation. Zariab notes the practice surged under foreign military presence as a power marker. While once fading in major cities, the director reports that the current Taliban regime continues to allow this abuse with total impunity.
3Production and Authentic Imagery
While the film was primarily shot in Casablanca, Morocco, to ensure safety, Zariab utilized authentic footage from Kabul. She collaborated remotely with an Afghan cinematographer to capture specific neighborhoods and wide shots. This technical approach allowed the film to maintain visual realism without endangering the local crew or the residents involved.
4Casting Golshifteh Farahani
Director Zariab spent months securing Golshifteh Farahani for the lead role, citing her previous work in The Patience Stone as a primary inspiration. Farahani, known for her commitment to women's rights, reportedly guided non-professional actors on set. Her presence helped create a cohesive, supportive environment among the diverse cast of Iranian and Afghan performers.
5Symbolism of the Title
The title refers to the little bells associated with the bacha bazi practice. During the casting process, some actors refused to participate upon learning the title, highlighting the extreme social taboo surrounding the subject. For the English release, the title emphasizes the female protagonist’s journey as she attempts to protect vulnerable children.
6Women's Rights in Afghanistan
Zariab emphasizes that the film serves as a critique of a society that enforces strict gender separation. Since August 2021, Afghan women have faced increasing erasure, including bans on employment and education for girls over twelve. The director views her film as an act of quiet resistance against these systemic human rights violations.
7Economic and Cultural Crisis
Beyond the narrative, the film addresses the catastrophic economic situation in Afghanistan. Zariab highlights that many citizens currently struggle with malnutrition and lack of heating during winter. Furthermore, she describes a cultural genocide, noting attempts to suppress local languages in favor of Pashto and the forced displacement of minority ethnic groups like the Hazara.
8International Production Partners
The film is a collaborative international effort involving Alta Rocca Films from France, Starhaus Filmproduktion from Germany, and Versus Production from Belgium. Arte France Cinema also supported the project. Distribution is managed by Le Pacte in France, Grandfilm in Germany, and O’Brother in Belgium, ensuring the film reaches a broad European audience.
9The Director's Personal Connection
Chabname Zariab, an Afghan creative based in Paris, left her home country in 1996 when the Taliban first rose to power. Her personal history informs the film's tone, which she describes as a tribute to solidarity. She believes that telling this story is a personal responsibility to keep global attention on Afghanistan.
10Cinematic Style and Influence
The film blends thriller elements with a somber, realistic portrayal of life under the threat of the Taliban. Zariab cites Jacques Audiard’s Dheepan as an influence, particularly regarding the theme of fleeing horror. The cinematography by Pierre Cottereau aims to capture the emotional weight of the characters' experiences during the city's collapse.
11Focus on Vulnerable Populations
Zariab expresses a deep sensitivity toward children and animals, whom she identifies as the most vulnerable beings globally. By focusing on Leila’s attempt to save children, the film explores how childhood trauma shapes a nation's destiny. The director hopes the audience recognizes the collective suffering of the Afghan people through this lens.
12Call for Global Awareness
The director concludes that the world has largely abandoned Afghanistan to its fate due to the emergence of new global conflicts. She hopes the film will encourage audiences to face the reality of the country's situation head-on. The project serves as a plea to shine a light on those currently living in silence.