Kandagar

Kandagar

Film poster
Directed by Andrey Kavun
Produced by
Screenplay by Andrey Kavun
Starring
Edited by Gabriella Cristiani
Release dates
  • February 4, 2010 (2010-02-04)
Running time
 103 minutes
Country Russia
Language Russian
Arabic
Budget $7 million
Box office $15 million

Kandagar (Russian: Кандагар; also known as Kandahar) is a Russian film detailing the escape of a Russian crew from Afghanistan Taliban fighters on August 16, 1996. The film stars some of Russia’s most famous actors, Vladimir Mashkov, Andrei Panin and Alexander Baluyev.[1] The movie is based on the Russian pilot's, Vladimir Sharpatov, diary.[2] The film was released in Russia on April 4, 2010.[3] The Andrey Kavun film is the first to describe Russia’s history in Afghanistan after their withdrawal from the country.[1]

Background

On August 3, 1995 a Taliban fighter plane forced down a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 plane with five Russian nationals on board in what would be called The Aerostan incident. The aircraft was forced to land at a Taliban controlled airfield near Kandahar. The men were held prisoners for more than one year by the Taliban which controlled about half of Afghanistan at the time during the Civil war in Afghanistan (1992–1996). The movie follows their captivity, day-to-day survival, and escape from Taliban.

Unexpected negligence from Russian diplomats caused the prisoners to take steps toward their freedom themselves. The captain was forced to teach Taliban soldiers to fly the plane, and the rest of the hostages were allowed to visit their aircraft for maintenance.

At some point the Russian crew worked out the escape plan, and during one of the maintenance visits for landing gear work, they were able to gain control over the plane.[4] Despite interception efforts by Taliban base guards, which caused the aircraft to start the takeoff having only half of the runway, they were able to take off. Despite several technical difficulties immediately after takeoff, they finally gained a safe cruising altitude and speed.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Bratersky, Alexander (February 9, 2010). "Afghan Escape Film 'Kandahar' Pulls in Crowds". The St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  2. ↑ Sergei L. Loiko and Megan K. Stack (February 12, 2010). "Q & A with Russian film director Andrey Kavun". LA Times. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  3. ↑ kandagarfilm (2010). "kandagar film". kandagarfilm.ru. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  4. ↑ Associated Press (August 19, 1996). "Daredevil airmen receive warm homecoming". The Register-Guard. Retrieved August 10, 2010.

External links

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