Mir, the Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan

[SoCalDem]

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1148393.htm

I watched this today on Link .. Look for it.. It's a great documentary about how nothing has changed in Afghanistan for the local people.. They just have new "bosses". It's so heartbreaking when you see the family excited to be (possibly) chosen to live in one of the brick huts that the NGO's are building...only to have their hopes dashed when they find out ther are NOT POOR ENOUGH..

They scavenge for sticks to light a fire, drink from a stream, and LIVE IN A CAVE..in the mountains... in the snow... They all seem to be ill with upper respiratory infections, the Mom has a "fever" for most of the documentary, and the baby, although cute as a button, will have a terrible life when she grows up....if she does not freeze to death first:(

Just HOW poor does one have to be in Afghanistan to actually get help??

[Swamp Rat]

1. sad... thanks for the post

:cry:

[SoCalDem]

2. It was LINK TV.. Don't miss the replay if you have LINK

http://www.worldlinktv.org/programming/programDescription.php4?code=buddhas


The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan
Length: 01:00 Type of program: Documentary

Broadcast Times
Monday, April 4 8:00 PM
Tuesday, April 5 2:00 AM
Tuesday, April 5 8:00 AM
Tuesday, April 5 2:00 PM
Saturday, April 9 11:00 PM
Sunday, April 10 5:00 AM
Sunday, April 10 11:00 AM
Sunday, April 10 5:00 PM
More
In March 2001, the ruling Taliban destroyed Afghanistan's foremost tourist attraction, the 1600 year-old Buddhas of Bamiyan. This film follows the story of one of the refugees who now lives among the ruins….an eight-year-old boy named Mir.

The film is about Mir’s life through three seasons: Summer, Winter, Spring. In post-Taliban Afghanistan, though much has changed and is changing, there is no guarantee that Mir will survive life in a cave due to the sickness, dirt, dust, lack of water and food. Yet his engaging story is not one of doom but that of a normal child who takes life as it comes and finds entertainment wherever he can. His playground is the rubble and tunnels of the destroyed Buddhas of Bamiyan, the shelled and burnt-out town bazaar, the orchard of the local militia. Through his eyes we see the destruction of the town, the ever-present militarization and the welcomed but watched presence of the Americans. Mir has no clue what it is all about but he knows how to have fun.

[smurfygirl]

3. I watched this the other day

I was absolutely balling for this child and his family. The light of life in their eyes shines out of the tv literally.

I wish they could have said in the show how we can help them. I think every senator and congressman should watch this program perhaps that would make them more interested in the actual rebuilding of this country. At least they say in the program that life is much better now, it's hard to believe though isn't it?

[SoCalDem]

4. He's such a cute little boy..He should be wearing a soccer uniform

and sleeping in a warm clean bed..

I see these young kids, and am always so sad when I think of what they will become.. He will undoubtedly become a "devout muslim", have a wife bought or bartered for him, and his life will be the same as his father's. (or worse)