Osama

Starring: Marina Golbahari, Zubaida Sahar, Arif Herati, Mohamad Haref Harati, Gol Rahman Ghorbandi

Directed by: Siddiq Barmak

RS: 3of 4 Stars

2004 Drama

In war-ravaged Afghanistan, where material goods (except guns) are notably absent, a simple vat of milk takes on immense symbolism. So it is in this searing depiction of life under Taliban rule. Sylphlike Marina Golbarhari is a revelation as the terrified twelve-year-old forced to disguise herself as a boy to find work. Someone should pin Dick Cheney's eyelids open and make him watch this film -- which subtly indicts U.S. policy -- a thousand times.

PETER RELIC
(RS 948, May 13, 2004)