I wish it was longer and provided more depth about the four year lapse but still captured the beauty of love, the cruelty of the war, the hope of a family through the eyes of a small family. Little boy's tiny hand holding his dad's finger and those bare feet are so dramatic. Hope they have a happy ending.
18 Reviews
Unimpressive
valconvr12 February 2022
While it is important to talk about the situation in Afghanistan, it has so much more potential than what this short film portrayed.
I feel like I missed something crucial, because there is a wide gap that is unfilled. In the end, you get the picture, but it would have been better to witness what had happened.
Overall, this film does not show the grave issues of what it means to live there in these troubled times, hence 6/10.
I feel like I missed something crucial, because there is a wide gap that is unfilled. In the end, you get the picture, but it would have been better to witness what had happened.
Overall, this film does not show the grave issues of what it means to live there in these troubled times, hence 6/10.
It could be bigger
lso-soares28 February 2022
Three Songs for Benazir (original title is in Afghan), 2021, 22 minutes.
Afghan short film directed by Elizabeth Mirzaei and Gulistan Mirzaei, which is nominated for the 2022 Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film.
It follows the story of Shaista, a young Afghan man, recently married to Benazir, for whom he sings some songs that describe the daily life of a woman. They live in a precarious Afghan refugee camp, in precarious conditions. Shaista dreams of serving his country by enlisting in the Afghan army, but finds it difficult to be semi-literate and have to ask someone in the family to fill out the enlistment forms, taking responsibility for him and his actions in the army. No one in the family agrees with the enlistment, as they fear retaliation against everyone in the tribe by the Taliban. He is induced by his father to go to work in the opium harvest, where he becomes an addicted, as he eats the poppy seeds throughout the harvest. The film jumps four years. Shaista is in an addiction recovery center, where he is visited by Benazir and his two children. There, he sings one more song for Benazir.
It is a sad documentary, where the dreams of a better life for him and his family are thwarted by a decision of his family members. Despite all the struggle, of personal defeats, love prevails.
The documentary could further explore the story of Benazir, which only serves to give the film its name.
Afghan short film directed by Elizabeth Mirzaei and Gulistan Mirzaei, which is nominated for the 2022 Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film.
It follows the story of Shaista, a young Afghan man, recently married to Benazir, for whom he sings some songs that describe the daily life of a woman. They live in a precarious Afghan refugee camp, in precarious conditions. Shaista dreams of serving his country by enlisting in the Afghan army, but finds it difficult to be semi-literate and have to ask someone in the family to fill out the enlistment forms, taking responsibility for him and his actions in the army. No one in the family agrees with the enlistment, as they fear retaliation against everyone in the tribe by the Taliban. He is induced by his father to go to work in the opium harvest, where he becomes an addicted, as he eats the poppy seeds throughout the harvest. The film jumps four years. Shaista is in an addiction recovery center, where he is visited by Benazir and his two children. There, he sings one more song for Benazir.
It is a sad documentary, where the dreams of a better life for him and his family are thwarted by a decision of his family members. Despite all the struggle, of personal defeats, love prevails.
The documentary could further explore the story of Benazir, which only serves to give the film its name.
Pretty Dull
Neon_Gold10 February 2022
I sort of found this a bit lifeless and flat. I think it's interesting to see the way different people have to live and I think it's important that privileged people have their eyes opened to other ways of life.
But this just didn't have anything more than that. I'm actually sort of confused with what I watch because nothing happened or maybe I was not paying attention.
But this just didn't have anything more than that. I'm actually sort of confused with what I watch because nothing happened or maybe I was not paying attention.
Heartbreaking but beautifully captured
florenceatrafi12 February 2022
This documentary portraits the wounds and the despair in a country where war has been dominated for decades.
But nonetheless, it also sketches beautifully the innocence, love, ambitions, dreams and vulnerability of the young Afghan generation that is overshadowed by the clouds of war..
Heartbreaking but beautifully captured.
But nonetheless, it also sketches beautifully the innocence, love, ambitions, dreams and vulnerability of the young Afghan generation that is overshadowed by the clouds of war..
Heartbreaking but beautifully captured.
Depth
PedroPires9013 March 2022
It's ok for the most part of it, but the lack of any depth and that ending prevent me for giving it a positive rating. I couldn't even understand why the cameraman didn't give her some shoes or what exactly happened in those years.
Finding hope where none should be
CubsandCulture14 February 2022
This is a 22 minute documentary that briefly tells an ordinary love story of an Afghan couple that was displaced by the American invasion. The husband struggles to find work-he tries to join the Afghan army-and various other struggles in life. Despite its shortness the love between the husband and wife come through in stark terms. As does the sheer struggle their lives have been-the film is not political but it's hard to not see the American failure made manifest in this film.
Jesus I hope they are still alive. Americans need to think long and hard before we use the military ever again.
Jesus I hope they are still alive. Americans need to think long and hard before we use the military ever again.
MUST SEE
itskimzim16 March 2022
This short documentary film is an emotional rollercoaster packing a powerful love story and a quick glimpse into the disturbing reign of the Taliban into 22 minutes. In the time it takes to get a coffee at the Starbucks drive through you can feel the love, hope, pain, and despair of this young couple in Afghanistan.
A reminder that love is universal despite the political and cultural environment that surrounds you. It is a beautiful film full of truth and honor telling the story of a real Afghan couple that you won't see in the media.
It is a must-see for every American who feels disconnected because the media only highlights the war. A reminder that there are innocent citizens living their lives in Afghanistan, beautiful people who lead with their brave and courageous hearts.
I only hope that Benazir has found peace and comfort in her tumultuous life.
A reminder that love is universal despite the political and cultural environment that surrounds you. It is a beautiful film full of truth and honor telling the story of a real Afghan couple that you won't see in the media.
It is a must-see for every American who feels disconnected because the media only highlights the war. A reminder that there are innocent citizens living their lives in Afghanistan, beautiful people who lead with their brave and courageous hearts.
I only hope that Benazir has found peace and comfort in her tumultuous life.
Most incredible short doc this Oscar season
pohsiteng16 March 2022
Three Songs for Benazir is an incredibly intimate film about young love in the midst of ongoing turmoil in Afghanistan. Set for the most part in a refugee camp, the film conveys so much and is an essential watch for anyone who has any interest in Afghanistan. With the Taliban takeover last year, this film couldn't be more relevant.
Told through the perspective of Shaista, a young man (still a teenager), we understand what aspirations can be in the most challenging of circumstances:-- how it can break you, and that life, ultimately, is a struggle.
Elizabeth and Gulistan Mirzaei have created a beautiful poem and ode to the people of Afghanistan.
Told through the perspective of Shaista, a young man (still a teenager), we understand what aspirations can be in the most challenging of circumstances:-- how it can break you, and that life, ultimately, is a struggle.
Elizabeth and Gulistan Mirzaei have created a beautiful poem and ode to the people of Afghanistan.
Beautiful Movie
qshdssvqkk16 March 2022
A beautiful movie with a strong story from the depth of the Afghan Society. It amazingly showcases the struggle of a young Afghan boy who despite manny challenges never forgets to love his family and keep working for his dream. Now that Afghanistan lost his National Army it matters even more to remember all those youths who fought for their country for the last 20 years.
This film would be a great lesson for manny, must watch.
This film would be a great lesson for manny, must watch.
Moving Docu
AJ_McAninch13 May 2022
What a warm and expressive face he has. I was very moved, and loved them both. Wish the film were longer and that we could know how they are doing today. They put faces to my worries during the years we were there and after we left Afghanistan.
Emotional, evocative, and poignant
Mehrdad Sarlak17 March 2022
Life is a journey and it's a lesson we learn often too late. This beautiful, striking story floods you with a range of emotion and so fully immerses you into a world that most people outside of Afghanistan either don't know or know little about. The filmmaker's unapologetic manner of showing us this family's journey moved me deeply and the film has stuck in my mind and is not one I shall ever forget. To me, that says it all.
well done such a nice movie
shahramshahimy18 March 2022
An inspiration beyond words
jakke-4643824 March 2022
I send God's blessings for all involved in bringing this to me. I watched it on Netflix and your struggle brought me to years. My heart and soul is with you all.... May Abba, Allah, God almighty being you all through. Your courage is inspirational.....have faith and keep going...you are NEVER ALONE. ...
A great and emotional work of art,
arashhei22 March 2022
An extraordinary and interesting work of art that shows the realities and difficulties of a society. What you see in this short film is very natural and attractive. In this short film, you can see the excellent work of the producer, director, cinematographer, sound engineer, and especially the extremely beautiful acting of the actors. This is a great success for the entire team of three Songs for Benazir. I congratulation to the talented woman Mrs. Elizabeth Mirzaei and to the wonderful man Gulistan Mirzaei for such a wonderful work.
Beautiful documentary...
RosanaBotafogo12 June 2022
So cute, simple, delicate, real, painful, tragic, simple, passionate, real... I would like you to delve a little deeper into Benazir's motivations for joining the Afghan army and "abandoning" his wife and baby son, I know he will in addition to his love for his country and the possibility of giving a little better life to both of them, as he had faced the whole family and community, which did not support him... Beautiful documentary...
A gemstone hidden in the dirt.
sayarms4 June 2022
I love the title Three Songs for Benazir.
Every song he sings, his situation has changed, but his hearth grows fonder. It gives you a view of what love looks like. Not the kind of love that starts on the mountain and falls slowly, but the kind that starts on the ground but hits the sky. Many ways to perceive this documentary, but for me it is the best romance movie of the century.
Every song he sings, his situation has changed, but his hearth grows fonder. It gives you a view of what love looks like. Not the kind of love that starts on the mountain and falls slowly, but the kind that starts on the ground but hits the sky. Many ways to perceive this documentary, but for me it is the best romance movie of the century.
What will become of Afghanistan?
lee_eisenberg20 February 2023
It was probably appropriate that Gulistan and Elizabeth Mirzaei's Academy Award-nominated "Three Songs for Benazir" got released right before the Taliban retook Afghanistan. This look at a man and a woman in a camp for displaced people in Kabul shows the misery in their lives, but also how they do what they can to cheer each other up. A lot of the focus is on the man's effort to join the national army.
The Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan in 2021 serves as a reminder of why that country gets called the Graveyard of Empires. The US mistakenly thought that it could accomplish what Alexander the Great, the British and the USSR couldn't. An entire generation of Afghans grew up knowing only the US's occupation, and will now grow up under the Taliban's iron-fisted, misogynistic regime.
Anyway, great documentary.
The Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan in 2021 serves as a reminder of why that country gets called the Graveyard of Empires. The US mistakenly thought that it could accomplish what Alexander the Great, the British and the USSR couldn't. An entire generation of Afghans grew up knowing only the US's occupation, and will now grow up under the Taliban's iron-fisted, misogynistic regime.
Anyway, great documentary.
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