The Postman

The Postman (film, in development)

Amir's life, like the lives of so many Afghans, has a massive absence in it: His teenage son Dilshad was killed in a rocket attack. After that tragedy the family falls apart. Amir's wife Nazira retreats into a silent world, maintaining only a tenuous link with reality. His daughter Fauzia is just about managing to keep the household going and his other son, Farhad, only brings home trouble as he won't stop flirting with the neighbor's daughter. Amir's work as a postman is the only thing that gives him back a little peace and normalcy.

On his daily route through Kabul Amir encounters people from all classes of Kabul and brings them news from their family and friends abroad. His visits are a ray of hope, a little escape from their bleak lives, and Amir is a welcome guest everywhere he goes. At the post office, the government employee Silay opens and reads letters from abroad before Amir delivers them. When his son Farhad gets in trouble, Amir is forced to ask Silay for help. Amid the mujeheddins' conquest of Kabul, which has rendered Amir's route a minefield, Amir has to make a choice between his conscience and the brutal world he now occupies.

Co-production with ZDF
Script: Asad Hussain
Director: Siddiq Barmak

Image Source: mîtosfilm