Clover Films

The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan

Award-winning producer Jamie Doran, Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi and camera man Mike Healy investigate a sexual exploitation ring. The film exposes the lack of support from those in authority and their actual complicity, and explores possible local and international responses to the plight of children in this conflict zone.

As the West pours billions of dollars into the fight against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, an ancient tradition (banned when the Taliban were in power) has re-emerged across the rest of the country. Many hundreds of young boys living in extreme poverty are lured off the streets on the promise of a new life away from destitution, unaware their real fate is to be used for entertainment by the warlords and other powerful men of Afghanistan.

Having gained remarkable access inside a sexual exploitation ring, award-winning Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi investigates this illegal practice, the consequences of which are shrouded by a focus on the war. The film exposes the lack of support from those in authority and explores possible responses to the plight of children in this conflict zone.

LINKS WE LIKE:

[courtesy of More4] Q&A with the Director

UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy

IWPR news site (Institute for War and Peace Reporting)

RFE/RL news site (Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty)

BROADCASTERS (sample):

ABC (Australia) 'Four Corners', preview page

PBS (USA) 'Frontline', preview page

More4 (UK) 'True Stories', preview page

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PRESS (related press & blog coverage):

Metro (UK), "The Dancing Boys Of Afghanistan: A deceptively titled depiction of disturbing reality": http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/822591-the-dancing-boys-of-afghanistan-a-deceptively-titled-depiction-of-disturbing-reality