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While his experience of the Taliban regime has been affected by being a male foreign journalist, Quilty says there are two sides to what has been taking place. The much-feared enemy of the international military effort has seemed “friendly, courteous, respectful, curious and, as most Afghans are, quite hospitable”.
But this has been a facade.
Endearing: Arafat Faiz in When Pomegranates Howl. Credit:Parvin Productions
“What lies behind is a pretty seriously dictatorial, extremely conservative regime,” Quilty, who will return to Afghanistan after he has written his book, says. “Life has become pretty miserable for women certainly.”
The collapse of the economy has also made life extremely different for all Afghans.
While many of those who worked for the Australian military and other westerners were unable to leave the country, Quilty says it is difficult to say how they are faring.
Detailing the rhythms, rituals and risks of life in Kabul: When Pomegranates Howl.Credit:Parvin Productions
“It’s not like they’re doing public executions,” he says. “They’re being quite discreet about reprisals and it doesn’t appear to be a Taliban policy that they’re going around searching for these people.
“But there seems little doubt that they’re doing it on an individual basis and maybe there’s some score settling going on which is being enabled by the change of regime. A lot of it is probably happening in the name of the Taliban whereas it may just be more personal rivalries that have a chance to be settled now that the balance of power has shifted.”
SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL SNAPSHOT
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• It runs from November 3-14.
• Screenings are at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George St and seven other venues.
• An online program screens from November 12 to 21.
• Key films include Western Sydney drama Here Out West on opening night, Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, Cannes winner Titane, Sundance winner Hive, Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson and Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch.
• Bookings at sff.org.au or 1300 733 733.
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Email the writer at gmaddox@smh.com.au and follow him on Twitter at @gmaddox.