Hollywoodgate

VOICES CALL OUT

Just days after the last American soldier left Afghanistan,

I arrive in Kabul, with only an Afghan translator and my camera.

I came to see in whose hands this country was left.

Relying on contacts from a decade in the journalism,

filming war theatres,

I've negotiated an arrangement with the Taliban.

Forbidden to film anyone other than them,

and under constant surveillance,

I've been granted access to follow one high-ranking commander

and one ground soldier at Kabul air base.

Documenting the Taliban's transition from an insurgent militia

into a military regime.

In return, I must show the world the image of the Taliban

that they want me to see.

Between the gates of what they wanted and what I came to do,

may I show what I saw.

VOICES CHATTER

HUBBUB OF VOICES

RIFLE FIRE ECHOES

GUNFIRE CONTINUES

SUSTAINED GUNFIRE

CAR WINDOW ROLLS DOWN

LOW CHATTER

WALKIE TALKIE CHATTER

ENGINE IDLES

CAR DOOR OPENS

ENGINE TURNS OVER

LOW CHATTER

DISTANT GUNFIRE

DISTANT GUNFIRE CRACKLES

CHILDREN LAUGH