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Deep Dive: RocKabul (2017)

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RocKabul
RocKabul is a documentary that focuses on the music scene in Afghanistan, particularly the band District Unknown, formed in Kabul in 2009. The film captures the struggles of young musicians in a country where freedom of expression is limited. It features the band's journey, including their initial anonymity due to threats from the Taliban, and their eventual relocation to the United States and United Kingdom after the events depicted in the film. Produced by Travis Beard over several years, RocKabul had its world premiere at the 2018 Rotterdam International Film Festival and has been featured in over 40 film festivals worldwide. The film received funding from the US State Department and Screen Australia, highlighting the international interest in Afghan youth culture and music. Bill Gould from Faith No More serves as an Executive Producer, emphasizing the film's themes of youth identity and freedom of expression.

Why Watch

  • •Meet District Unknown, a Kabul-based psychedelic metal band.
  • •See the impact of music on youth identity in Afghanistan.
  • •Follow the journey of Afghan musicians facing real threats.

Did You Know

•RocKabul premiered at the 2018 Rotterdam International Film Festival.
•The film has an IMDb rating of 7.7/10 as of January 2020.
•District Unknown originally performed in disguises due to Taliban threats.
•The film was funded by the US State Dept and Screen Australia.

Perfect For

Afghan music sceneYouth identityDocumentary enthusiasts