Watch At Five in the Afternoon

At Five in the Afternoon is a 2003 Iranian movie directed by Samira Makhmalbaf. This thought-provoking and poignant film follows the story of a young Afghan girl named Noqreh during the Taliban regime. The lead role of Noqreh is played by Agheleh Rezaie, with Abdolgani Yousefrazi and Razi Mohebi in supporting roles. The movie starts with Noqreh and her family returning to Kabul after years of living in a refugee camp in Pakistan. Noqreh's family is traditional and patriarchal, and they expect her to marry as soon as possible. However, Noqreh is not content with leading a traditional woman's life, defined by marriage and motherhood.

Noqreh is fascinated with the idea of becoming the President of Afghanistan and eagerly learns how to read and write. She also attends a school run by a woman who stresses the importance of education for women. Noqreh wants to be a part of the rebuilding process of her nation after years of war.

At Five in the Afternoon offers insightful commentary on the role of women in a country that suffered from years of war and a repressive regime. The movie reveals how the Taliban's rule has deeply ingrained sexism and prejudice against women in Afghan society. Noqreh and her family's interactions with the male-dominated world symbolize the restrictions and lack of support for women's education.

The movie carefully contrasts the strength and resilience of Afghan women with the brutality and strictness of the Taliban regime. It also shows the stark contrast between the bustling public sphere filled with complicated politics and the restricted sphere of women and children. The film portrays how women's education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of patriarchal oppression.

At Five in the Afternoon is beautifully shot and features stunning landscape shots of Afghanistan's desolate and war-torn terrain. This movie captures the essence of post-Taliban Afghanistan and shows the country's potential for growth and progress. It explores themes that are universal, such as the struggle for independence and the constant negotiation of traditions and modernity.

The actors' stellar performances, especially Agheleh Rezaie as Noqreh, anchor the film and provide emotional depth to the protagonist's character. Her nuanced performance highlights Noqreh's struggles to find herself in the midst of the cruel realities she has to face.

The film's climax is a powerful, disturbing moment that reflects the realities of life under the Taliban and how women are oppressed by an ideology that has become normalized in Afghan society. The intense moment shows how, despite all the efforts of Noqreh and other women like her, the Taliban's grasp is still firmly in control.

Overall, At Five in the Afternoon is a masterpiece of Iranian cinema that accurately depicts the human experience of courage, independence and determination in the face of harsh adversity. It is a courageous movie directed by Samira Makhmalbaf that encourages viewers to question the status quo of a society that has long neglected the rights and potential of women.