DVD
REVIEW: THE KITE RUNNER
03/22/08
Based on the best selling
book by Afghan American author Khaled Hosseini, “The Kite
Runner”, was adapted for the big screen in 2007 and will be
released on DVD on March 25, 2008. In my opinion this is not
only on of the best films of 2007, but also the most
controversial. When DreamWorks decided to endorse this film
is because they already knew it was going to be a big hit,
especially with the participation of producer and director
Marc Forster. It is no surprise that the film received the
Golden Globe nomination of “Best Foreign Language Film” and
at the Academy Awards won “Best Original Score (Alberto
Iglesias)”.
The story is set in Afghanistan in the district of Wazir
Akbar Khan, Kabul from the fall of monarchy in Afghanistan
to the invasion of the Soviet Union. Hosseini tells the
story of two boys who love kite fighting while roaming the
streets of Kabul. Amir (Zecheria Ebrahimi) is the thirteen
year old son of a well to do business man, Baba (Homayoun
Ershadi) and
Hassan ( Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada) is the twelve year old
Hazara servant boy that lives in Amir’s house.
Unfortunately, while running a kite down for Amir, Hassan is
anally raped by nazi minded bullies while
his best friend, Amir watches and runs in fear. Not being
able to deal with the guilt, Amir sets himself apart from
Hassan, who proves time and time again a loyal friendship.
The film takes us 15 years into the future (the book jumps
back and forth more frequently) when Amir, a successful
writer and his father Baba are living in Freemont,
California after fleeing their country due to the Soviet
invasion. After getting a
phone call from Rahim Khan (Shaun Toub), Baba’s friend, Amir
sees the opportunity to redeem himself of the guilt that has
been hunting him. By going back to Afghanistan and facing
the past, he will find the truth that will give him courage,
hope and integrity.
The film was pushed back from being released for the safety
of the children, who have been relocated to United Arab
Emirates until they are older. Ahmad received $17,500 and
Ali $13, 700 for their part in the film, however they fear
for the common kidnapping of children with money in this
country. Also, the rape scene while it has very little
explicitness, it
is not as graphic as the book describes it. Regardless of
that, the movie has been banned in Afghanistan due to this
scene and the ethnic differences the film portrays.
The beauty of having this wonderful adapted movie on DVD is
the special features that it contains. For example, the
commentary with Marc Forster, Khaled Hosseini and David
Benioff serve to understand more of this country and culture
and how that impacted the making the film. Just like the
novel, behind this great film there is a historical backdrop
story, which can only be accessed on the DVD.
VIDEO:
Anamorphic Widescreen Enhanced for 16x9 TVS
AUDIO:
English,
Spanish and French
5.1 (Dolby Digital).
Subtitles - English Spanish
French - Optional
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Commentary with Marc Forster, author Khaled Hosseini
and screenwriter David Benioff
Words from THE KITE RUNNER: Director and
Khaled Hosseini
talk about meaning of the story to them
(14:25)
Images from THE KITE RUNNER Director and
producers talk about the production ,film location and cast
selection. A very good feature (24:38)
Public Service Announcement with Khaled Hosseini
RATING BREAK DOWN:
| FILM REVIEW |
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VIDEO |
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AUDIO |
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| BONUS
FEATURES |
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