Film Lens
Afghan Muscles is a 2006 Danish documentary directed by Andreas Møl Dalsgaard that focuses on bodybuilding in Afghanistan following the 2001 U.S.-led invasion. The film follows two Afghan bodybuilding champions, Hamidullah Shirzai and Noorulhoda Shirzad, as they train for the 2004 Mr. Asia competition in Bahrain. Despite their celebrity status in Afghanistan, they face significant obstacles, including a lack of financial support and access to supplements, as well as the ongoing military conflict in the country.
The film captures the personal struggles of the athletes, particularly Hamid, who deals with familial pressure to marry and the withdrawal of support from a gym owner. The Afghan national team competes in Bahrain but finds themselves overshadowed by more flamboyant competitors from other countries. Dalsgaard's approach reflects a culture of young men seeking modernity in postwar Kabul, emphasizing the complexities of their aspirations in a challenging environment.
Why Watch
- •Meet Afghan bodybuilding champions Hamidullah and Noorulhoda.
- •Find out about the 2004 Mr. Asia competition in Bahrain.
- •See the impact of postwar culture on Afghan youth.
Did You Know
•The film follows two champions, Hamidullah Shirzai and Noorulhoda Shirzad.
•The Afghan national team trained for the 2004 Mr. Asia competition in Bahrain.
•Andreas Møl Dalsgaard spent three years filming bodybuilders in Afghanistan.
•The film won the 2007 AFI Fest Grand Jury Prize for Documentary.
Perfect For
Bodybuilding enthusiastsDocumentary fansAfghan culture