Customer Reviews

Kabul 24

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Kabul-24 is filmmaker Ben Pearson's penetrating look at the unwarranted and terrifying intrusion of the Taliban into the lives of a small group of Christian aid workers in 2001. The film's special focus is on an international team of eight 'Shelter Now' volunteers in Afghanistan, two of whom were Americans, all of whom for no apparent justification were imprisoned for 105 desperate days till, finally, through answered prayer and behind the scenes maneuvering, they were rescued by American Special Forces. Pearson's sensitive and thorough unfolding of the story kept me on the edge of my seat cushion all the way through. One of the things that really grabbed me - without spoiling it for anyone - was the reveal of exactly why the Taliban swooped in with their loaded Kalashnikovs and grabbed the workers and the timing of it. There was a diabolical method to their madness. Pearson's storytelling is evenly paced and suspenseful; nothing crucial to the sequence of events is left out. The visuals and soundtrack are top-notch, interwoven with interviews of the former captives, other key characters, and the excellent narration of Jim Caviezel ("The Passion of the Christ"). This film is, and I believe will probably always be, THE definitive media revelation of what really happened during those fateful days to those brave " Kabul 24." At the end of Pearson's film, my faith in God and in his ultimate wise purposes was wonderfully affirmed. A must see!"

This tells a story that was huge news in America for a short period of time right around September 11th, 2001. In the States, we learned of the 2 Americans involved in this hostage situation by the names of Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry. As is want to do in most stories of this magnitude, the backstory is far more compelling than what we're shown on the evening news and the chat shows. I think most people would be shocked to realize that there were a whole group of hostages from a few different countries around the world. There were even many Afghanis that were initially imprisoned as well.

The writers did a great job tying together how this incident was strategically planned by Al Qaeda well in advance and what had seemed like a loosely related, almost coincidental event to the larger terrorist attacks in the US wasn't coincidental at all. I'm very happy that this larger story than most Americans had been aware has been told and is now cemented in history for all who are interested to learn about it. Since this area of the world is still such a fluid situation that will impact us for a very long time, it's worth picking this up for continued education purposes.

The production value is extremely well done. The editing, writing, cinematography and direction is excellent. The story was engrossing and the presentation was straightforward with very creative use of effects without cheesy re-enactments. It's the real people revisiting the actual places and telling it straight from their hearts. Well done. I'd recommend it very highly for all audiences.

I am conflicted - I see the good intention of Christian people to reach to the muslim world with faith in Christ which is mandated by Christ our Lord and yet we are told to obey the laws of our land .. When they are told by the government to leave they aught to leave ... I am not certain how I feel about this film....