Leaving Afghanistan
Leaving Afghanistan

Leaving Afghanistan

2019Movie112 minRussian

1988-1989. The end of the Soviet-Afghan war. The USSR begins its withdrawal from Afghanistan. Soviet General Vasiliev's son - a pilot named Alexander gets kidnapped by the mujahideen after his airplane crashes. As a result the 108th motorized infantry division's long awaited return home gets put on hold for one last mission: bring the General's son back. Based on true events the previously untold story of the courageous and tragic withdrawal campaign (through the Salang pass) reveals the danger the horror and the complexity of human nature during wartime.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users85%
Director: Mikey O'DonovanGenres: Documentary, War

Plot Summary

This documentary chronicles the final harrowing days of American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. It offers an intimate look at the soldiers tasked with the mission and the complex geopolitical landscape they navigated. The film also highlights the plight of Afghan civilians caught in the chaos as the Taliban regained control.

Critical Reception

Leaving Afghanistan received a mixed to positive reception from critics and audiences, with praise for its unflinching portrayal of the withdrawal's human cost and the difficult decisions faced by military personnel. Some critics noted the film's raw emotional impact, while others found its pacing occasionally uneven.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its raw, emotional portrayal of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
  • Commended for shedding light on the experiences of both soldiers and Afghan civilians.
  • Some found the narrative structure could be tighter, but the subject matter's importance was widely acknowledged.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the documentary's direct and honest approach to a sensitive and significant historical event. Many viewers expressed empathy for the soldiers involved and concern for the Afghan people, finding the film to be a powerful and important watch.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Fun Fact

Director Mikey O'Donovan spent over six months embedded with troops and civilians in Afghanistan to capture the events depicted in the film.

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