Flying with Kites – Document Journal – FESCH.TV

Flying with Kites – Document Journal & FESCH.TV:

The art of designing, making, and flying multicoloured kites, made from tissue paper and bamboo sticks, has been a traditional part of Afghan culture for hundreds of years. This joyful practice, which provides hope and brings people together was banned as un-Islamic during the first Taliban takeover between 1996 – 2001, and has since been banned again in 2021, when the Taliban once more took power in Afghanistan.

We wanted to realise this shoot in solidarity with Afghani people and celebrate the beautiful tradition of kite flying by gathering together a cast of Afghani men, women and children currently living in the UK. We used traditional Afghan clothing, mixed with contemporary fashion and attempted to create images which lean into the world of ‘magical realism’, and keep the kite flying tradition alive by sharing it with a wider audience and providing a ray of hope for future generations.

A HUGE thank you to the Afghan Association of London, Tiagi Productions, Ahmadzia Bakhtyria, Mrs Mursal, Azeem Niazi and family, Ali Ghaderi, Ariana Abawe and everyone that helped realise this special project.

Director – Edd Horder
DOP/Editor – Milo Hutchings
Stylist – Lilia Toncheva O’Rourke
16mm – Rami Hassen
Make Up – Jo Frost
Talent – Ali, Amir, Ahmadzia, Ariana, Azeem, Diana, Milan, Mrs Mursal, Mutuk, Saeed, Saiqa, Yusuf
Production – Tiagi