Documentary backdrop image for The Kabul Beauty School Trying To Save Afghanistan (2007)

200725 minPGdoc-short

The Kabul Beauty School Trying To Save Afghanistan

200725 minPGdoc-short

Afghan women gain independence through the Kabul Beauty School and beauty parlours.

Genres

Channel: Journeyman Pictures

The Kabul Beauty School Trying To Save Afghanistan

2007• 25 minPG

Synopsis

Afghan women gain independence through the Kabul Beauty School and beauty parlours.

Synopsis

Under the Taliban, Afghan women faced severe restrictions, risking everything to maintain their beauty. In December 2003, the Kabul Beauty School emerges as a beacon of hope, allowing Afghan women to find independence as beauticians. The US fashion industry supports this initiative, helping women open their own beauty parlours and achieve financial independence. Sima Calkin, who has not seen Afghanistan for 23 years, returns to guide local women in running their beauty salons. This program aims to restore dignity and empower Afghan women through the art of beauty.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

In the Room (2025)

In the Room

2025•1h16m•★10.0

Five Afghan women, including singer Mozhdah Jamalzadah and activist Nelofer Pazira-Fisk, share their stories of resistance and resilience amid the Taliban's resurgence.

Afghan Women Fear a Return to Violence Under the Taliban (2019)

Afghan Women Fear a Return to Violence Under the Taliban

Afghan women risk their lives to protect their rights as the Taliban may return to power.

Afghan Women Fear a Return to Violence Under the Taliban

Taliban vow to take a more moderate stance at first Kabul press conference (2021)

Taliban vow to take a more moderate stance at first Kabul press conference

The taliban have announced an amnesty for former afghan officials and call for women's participation.

Taliban vow to take a more moderate stance at first Kabul press conference

Kabul, Under the Control of the Taliban (2024)

Kabul, Under the Control of the Taliban

Kabul's population of four million faces daily threats under Taliban rule, with many residents living in fear of arrest or execution.

Kabul, Under the Control of the Taliban

In Full: The Taliban's first news conference from Kabul (2021)

In Full: The Taliban's first news conference from Kabul

The Taliban holds its first news conference from Kabul since regaining control of Afghanistan.

In Full: The Taliban's first news conference from Kabul

Defying the Taliban: women at war in Afghanistan (2022)

Defying the Taliban: women at war in Afghanistan

One year after the Taliban's takeover, schools for girls are banned, and women like Brishna face threats of violence for advocating their rights.

Defying the Taliban: women at war in Afghanistan

How has life changed for Afghan women since the Taliban took power? (2023)

How has life changed for Afghan women since the Taliban took power?

Afghan women face severe restrictions two years after the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.

How has life changed for Afghan women since the Taliban took power?

How A Radio Station Became Afghanistan's Last Resistance (2026)

How A Radio Station Became Afghanistan's Last Resistance

Radio Begum serves as a vital educational lifeline for Afghan women, broadcasting school programs amidst severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban.

How A Radio Station Became Afghanistan's Last Resistance

Taliban Takeover (2021)

Taliban Takeover

Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan has drastically altered daily life, particularly for women and ethnic minorities, as documented by journalist Najibullah Quraishi.

Taliban Takeover

Afghanistan Undercover (2022)

Afghanistan Undercover

Women in Afghanistan face severe repression under Taliban rule, with reports of imprisonment, forced marriages, and a climate of fear for those who speak out.

Afghanistan Undercover

How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions (2020)

How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions

Eight years of peace and prosperity marked Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency, driven by his "Middle Way" approach to leadership and decision-making.

How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions

The Women’s Suffrage Centennial: Impact and Legacy (2021)

The Women’s Suffrage Centennial: Impact and Legacy

Nearly 800 local leagues of the League of Women Voters continue the work of suffragists to promote women's voting rights across the United States.

The Women’s Suffrage Centennial: Impact and Legacy

Explore The Kabul Beauty School Trying To Save Afghanistan

Where else to watch

In the Room (2025)

In the Room

2025•1h16m•★10.0

Five Afghan women, including singer Mozhdah Jamalzadah and activist Nelofer Pazira-Fisk, share their stories of resistance and resilience amid the Taliban's resurgence.

No digital watch option in your country

Bread & Roses (2024)

Bread & Roses

2024•1h30m•★6.5

Women in Kabul confront severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban, fighting for their rights and lives in a society that seeks to silence them.

Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) (2020)

Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)

2020•40m•★7.3

In Kabul, girls learn to read, write, and skateboard at Skateistan, a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to support their education and empowerment.

Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)

Afghan Star (2008)

Afghan Star

2008•1h27m•★6.3

Contestants risk their lives to participate in a talent competition that has become a cultural phenomenon in Afghanistan.

And Still I Sing (2022)

And Still I Sing

2022•1h30m•★7.0

Two aspiring singers compete to become the first female winners of Afghan Star amid the Taliban's return to power in 2021, which restricts women's rights.

And Still I Sing

The Sharp Edge of Peace (2024)

The Sharp Edge of Peace

2024•1h35m•★5.0

Four women leaders in Afghanistan unite to advocate for women's rights following the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. and coalition troops and the Taliban's return to power.

The Sharp Edge of Peace

Bertha Lutz: Women and the U.N. Charter (2021)

Bertha Lutz: Women and the U.N. Charter

2021•1h38m•★10.0

Bertha Lutz played a key role in ensuring women's rights were included in the discussions that shaped the U.N. Charter in 1945.

Bertha Lutz: Women and the U.N. Charter

Browse more like this

Kabul, Under the Control of the Taliban (2024)

Kabul, Under the Control of the Taliban

Kabul's population of four million faces daily threats under Taliban rule, with many residents living in fear of arrest or execution.

Kabul, Under the Control of the Taliban

No digital watch option in your country

Defying the Taliban: women at war in Afghanistan (2022)

Defying the Taliban: women at war in Afghanistan

One year after the Taliban's takeover, schools for girls are banned, and women like Brishna face threats of violence for advocating their rights.

Defying the Taliban: women at war in Afghanistan

No digital watch option in your country

How A Radio Station Became Afghanistan's Last Resistance (2026)

How A Radio Station Became Afghanistan's Last Resistance

Radio Begum serves as a vital educational lifeline for Afghan women, broadcasting school programs amidst severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban.

How A Radio Station Became Afghanistan's Last Resistance

No digital watch option in your country

Taliban Takeover (2021)

Taliban Takeover

Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan has drastically altered daily life, particularly for women and ethnic minorities, as documented by journalist Najibullah Quraishi.

Taliban Takeover

No digital watch option in your country

Afghanistan Undercover (2022)

Afghanistan Undercover

Women in Afghanistan face severe repression under Taliban rule, with reports of imprisonment, forced marriages, and a climate of fear for those who speak out.

Afghanistan Undercover

No digital watch option in your country

Afghanistan Unveiled (2004)

Afghanistan Unveiled

2004•52m•★10.0

A team of women video journalists documents the severe restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 under Taliban rule.

Afghanistan Unveiled

Kabul Beauty (2024)

Kabul Beauty

2024•51m•★8.0

Twenty employees work seven days a week at a beauty salon in central Kabul, providing a rare space for women under Taliban rule.

An Unfinished Journey (2024)

An Unfinished Journey

2024•1h15m•★8.0

Four Afghan women leaders work to establish an international movement to advocate for women's rights after the Taliban regained control in 2021.

An Unfinished Journey

Afghan Cycles (2018)

Afghan Cycles

2018•1h30m•★7.0

A new generation of Afghan women takes to the streets on bicycles, challenging cultural barriers and advocating for their rights in a restrictive society.

Another Afghanistan: Kabul Diary 1985 (2003)

Another Afghanistan: Kabul Diary 1985

2003•42m•★10.0

200,000 people gather to celebrate a new holiday marking the anniversary of the revolution in Kabul during the civil war.

Another Afghanistan: Kabul Diary 1985

At Five on the Dot (2004)

At Five on the Dot

2004•56m•★10.0

On June 27, 1973, Uruguayan workers and students staged the largest peaceful demonstration in Latin America against a military coup.

At Five on the Dot

Is this your film?

If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.

License it with us →