Love and Marriage in Kabul

In 2009, a film crew accompanied Afghan-Australian Mahboba Rawi on her yearly visit to Afghanistan, where her foundation Mahboba's Promise assists widows and orphaned refugees. Filmmaker Amin Palangi's documentary captures the story of Abdul, an orphan who became a teacher (one of Rawi's earliest charges), and Fatemah, the girl he wishes to marry. Fatemah's widowed father, Nik-Mohammad, would not permit the marriage, which would leave him with no one to run his household or care for his younger sons. If Fatemah must marry, Nik-Mohammad wanted the money that a wealthier man might pay for her hand; alternatively, he would allow the wedding if Mahboba found someone to marry his eldest son. Love and Marriage in Kabul follows Mahboba as she negotiates on behalf of Abdul, who lacks the money to pay Fatemah's dowry, so Mahboba's only alternative is to find a young woman willing to marry into the family. The cameras follow in fly-on-the-wall style as arguments are made, plans are formed, deals are agreed and reneged upon, and tears are shed, as the star-crossed lovers move closer to marrying. Mahboba explains that arranged marriages are the norm in Afghanistan and there is nothing wrong with canvassing the neighborhood for possible brides; nonetheless, her search for a girl to marry into Nik-Mohammad's family plays a little oddly in light of her commitment to Abdul's love match. Although presented as a story of victory and breakthrough over closed minds and ancient customs, it's hard to say if this marriage represents a win for Fatemah. Isolated in her father's house, she does not appear until midway through the film, says little on camera, and only seems to be truly happy when trying on elaborate glitter eyeshadow. An interesting portrait of the war between traditional ritual and contemporary aspirations in matrimonial matters in Afghanistan, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)