The Swallows of Kabul

Les Hirondelles de Kaboul

60th TIFF: Greek Premiere

Kabul, late 1990s. The reign of the Taliban has plunged local society into obscurantism. Every form of artistic expression is suppressed, public stonings and executions are taking place on a daily basis, fear has seized the hearts and minds of the citizens, women are perceived as objects rather than human beings. In this meticulously crafted animated adaptation of the titular best-selling novel of Algerian writer Yasmina Khadra, hope finds a way to survive in a morbid environment. A heartbreaking tale of unspeakable pain and extraordinary self-sacrifice, reminding us that humanity is the noblest of virtues.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Zabou Breitman, Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec

Script: Sébastien Tavel, Patricia Mortagne, Zabou Breitman, based on the novel by Yasmina Khadra

Editing: Françoise Bernard

Sound: Eric Devulder, Pascal Villard, Bertrand Boudaud, Eric Tisserand

Music: Alexis Rault

Actors: Simon Abkarian, Zita Hanrot, Swann Arlaud, Hiam Abbass, Jean-Claude Deret

Production: Les Armateurs, Mélusine Productions, Close Up Films, ARTE France Cinéma, RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse, KNM

Producers: Reginald de Guillebon, Stephan Roelants, Michel Merkt, Joëlle Bertossa

Art Direction: Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: France

Production Year: 2019

Duration: 81´

Contact: Celluloid Dreams, info@celluloid-dreams.com

Zabou Breitman

Filmography

2001 Se souvenir des belles choses (fiction)
2006 The Man of My Life (fiction)
2009 Someone I Loved (fiction)
2010 No and Me (fiction)
2019 The Swallows of Kabul
2024 The Boy

Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec

Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec has worked as a graphic designer on various TV productions and advertising projects. Moreover, she has worked as an animator and cartoonist in a series of short films. Her two first short films as a director, Madame and Escale, were selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The Swallows of Kabul is her first feature film.