She says of mainstream American films about her country: “Afghanistan, for famous directors with Hollywood budgets, is a story behind the mountain, which is exotic, interesting, but not authentic. She adds: “It’s a very Western perspective on what was happening in Afghanistan, where someone is going to save the interpreter or something. There are many things Afghans and their stories can share with the world, without getting into that victimhood. and saving formula.”

The lack of distribution for modest foreign-language films, however, can make them almost invisible. Karimi’s films, including her documentary Afghan Women Behind the Wheel (2009) are not available for streaming. No more than the much appreciated Letter to the President (2003) by another Afghan director, Roya Sadat. They are ousted by movies with explosions and brave male soldiers, with their long history of commercial success.

One thing is for sure, there will be more mainstream films about Afghanistan on the way. Thomson calls the Kabul airport video a moment of “incredible cinematic images, of people falling from planes.” Already used in documentaries, these images are ready for the next – hopefully more profound – generation of war films.

Guys Ritchie’s The Covenant is now out in US theaters

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