Amplifying the perspectives of warring factions immersed in the endless turmoil of the Middle East conflict.
Fresh Take:
The gritty action-adventure-drama, Kandahar, was conjured up by screenwriter Mitchell LaFortune, an ex-Defense Intelligence Agency officer who served multiple deployments in Afghanistan. The movie revolves around a CIA Black Ops agent and his Afghan interpreter, maneuvering through terrifying forces as they escape Iran, all while a whistleblower exposes their destruction of a nuclear facility.
LaFortune, a born storyteller with a military background, crafted the tale while reminiscing about his deployments in Herat Province, where most of the movie unfolds. Notably, LaFortune created the story for Kandahar following his work on Burn Run which saw Gerard Butler and Ric Roman Waugh reunite once more.
For LaFortune, the inspiration for the story came from his own experiences in Afghanistan, particularly his encounters with CIA operatives and the Afghans he worked with. As a descendant of a long line of service personnel, including a World War II veteran, and growing up during the 9/11 attacks, LaFortune was naturally inspired to tell this story.
Director Ric Roman-Waugh breathes life into this drawn-from-truth tale, transforming it into a high-octane film. Roman-Waugh, known for movies like Greenland and Angel Has Fallen, found the script intriguing and put his full support behind it, citing the story's complexity and empathy for characters on both sides of war as standout features.
Roman-Waugh and LaFortune collaborated closely on the film, with Roman-Waugh conducting extensive research and becoming deeply invested in the project. Together, they strived to create an authentic and emotionally resonant action movie that critically examines the unending cycle of conflict in the Middle East.
Kandahar boasts a wide array of characters grounded in reality, with many figures inspired by people LaFortune encountered during his time in the Middle East. The CIA operative Tom Harris embodies the stealth and quick thinking necessary to survive high-stress scenarios, while Mo offers a unique perspective and understanding that Harris desperately requires in his journey to regain his humanity.
Throughout the movie, Tom and Mo serve as vital components of the story by representing different governments, cultures, and viewpoints. In these characters, audiences can identify with the challenges faced by covert operatives in the Middle East, exploring the complexities of loyalty, nationalism, and their impact on the lives of individuals and nations.
Producer Brendon Boyea appreciates the diverse, three-dimensional characters in Kandahar, distinguishing it from typical action movies that prioritize action sequences over character development. Boyea notes that the film successfully melds various real-life stories, providing an authentic portrayal that resonates with viewers.
In sharing the script with Ric Roman-Waugh, producers and filmmakers discovered a shared vision for the movie's potential. Waugh's background in stunts and authentic storytelling made him the perfect choice as director, further elevating the film's gritty and humanist themes.
With leads like Gerard Butler and Navid Negahban, Kandahar is set to offer an insightful look into the complex world of undercover CIA work in Afghanistan. LaFortune hopes the movie will serve as a heartfelt tribute to everyone affected by the U.S.'s foreign policy and the fall of Afghanistan, marking a unique and authentic action movie experience for audiences worldwide.
References:
- Army Times: Kandahar filmmaker: I wrote a different kind of action movie based on my time in the Middle East
- Deadline: Gerard Butler's G-Base & Thunder Road's Basil Iwanyk Strike Deal On Kandahar
- In the world of entertainment, Kandahar stands out, not just for its high-octane action sequences, but also for its heavy emphasis on real-life characters and politics surrounding war and conflicts in the Middle East.
- Beyond movies-and-tv, Kandahar delves into general-news territories, offering a nuanced portrayal of the complexities found in the nexus of war, politics, and personal relationships.
