Kite Runner Movie Controversy
by: Kayli Russell and Lindsay Witte
The Kite Runner is an epic tale written by Khaled Hosseini. This tragic and touching story is currently being made into a movie. It's about a friendship between two Afghan boys, Amir and Hassan, which is put to the test. Amir, a son of his wealthy father, looks down an alley for Hassan, the son of his father's servant, and witnesses a scene that will disturb him throughout his life. Amir is looking for Hassan, who is kite-running down an alley. A bully from school appears and rapes Hassan; Amir watches the whole spectacle, but does not get help. The rape scene changes their friendship, but even more so when the Soviets invade their city. Amir and his father flee to America in hopes of beginning a new life, but Amir still cannot forget his memories of Hassan.
The film was shot in China because of security concerns in Afghanistan. The two boys playing Hassan and Amir were picked at Afghan schools. Amir is played by Zekeria Ebrahim, who was chosen out of about a thousand boys. Ahmad Khan, playing Hassan, and Ebrahim were promised $10,000 each if they accepted the role. Indubitably, their parents let them perform the role because, to them, $10,000 is a hefty sum of money. However, Khan's father, Ahmad Jaan, said the producers did not give them the script beforehand. "[He] said he himself was misled by the film's producers, insisting that they never told him of the [rape] scene until it was about to be shot and that they had promised to cut it," (WashintonPost).
The producers did say they would cut the scene so as to not endanger the two actors' lives, but were unable to do so. One of the producers, Rebecca Yeldham, had this to say to the BBC news: "The scene has been handled in a very, very discreet and non-gratuitous fashion; [it] contains no nudity...But it's also important in being faithful to the story-that there's no confusion the attack in the alley took place on that child was a sexual violation," (BBC News). But the Afghan actors are now worried and fearing for their lives. They believe once this movie gets around to Afghanistan, it will worsen relationships with the Hazaras, who are represented by Hassan, and Pashtuns, represented by Amir. Their families will also be in danger because sexual violations are greatly disapproved and found dishonorable. Jaan replies to BBC, "My own people will turn against me because of the story. I am so worried they may cut my throat, they may kill me, torture me," (BBC News).
Mrs. Gregg's class have to read The Kite Runner as required reading, and they have also discussed the controversy. When asked what she thinks of this dilemma, Erin Cheaney replied, "If it's going to come at the price of wrong truths, I'd prefer [the rape scene] not happen due to unsafe conditions. While the scene is important, it's not worth the lives of the actors." There might be a possible solution to end this dangerous controversy, however. Mrs. Atkinson, ninth grade English teacher, comments, "Perhaps [they should] release an edited version in Afghanistan [where the rape scene is taken out]. We can't change the cultural standards in Afghanistan, nor here in the United States."
The film's release has been delayed until December because of this dangerous controversy. Maybe the rape scene should be taken out, but there is also violent language toward the Hazaras and violence in general in The Kite Runner. For now, however, the two boys and their families are relocating out of Afghanistan . Paramount Vantage made arrangements for them to live in the United Arab Emirates for however long it takes until the movie blows over, with all expenses paid. They will pay for the boys' schooling and find jobs for the parents. Though this was thought to have ended the possible dangers, other questions have arisen. The producers are now afraid that pirated DVDs will get to Afghanistan , making the actors homeland never again safe. Only time can tell whether or not they will be safe, but for right now they are.
Sources:
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/04/AR2007100402542.html