Barefoot to Herat

Barefoot to Herat, a revealing documentary produced, directed, and narrated by the globally acclaimed filmmaker Majid Majidi in 2003, offers a poignant portrait of the Afghani refugee crisis during the early years of the 21st century. Known for creating thought-provoking narratives based on real-world issues, Majidi, in this film, challenges the landscape of traditional moviemaking, projecting a raw and unfiltered life journey of the Afghani people displaced by the persistently ruthless war and political turmoil in their homeland.

The film begins with a dramatic and harrowing scene where thousands of Afghan refugees are seen crossing over the Irani-Afghani border into the 'no man's land'. Majidi carefully constructs a profound ark of reflection and exploration, demonstrating these individuals' plight without bias, with the aim of raising global awareness about the grave repercussions of war.

Majidi employs cinematic language that serves to paint a vivid picture of the desperate circumstances these refugees face daily. His camera, being the primary narrator, seems, however, to be invisible, capturing scenes ethereally rather than intrusively. This approach addresses the genuine sentiments, struggles, and rituals of these displaced individuals, providing an immersive viewing experience for the audience.

The film covers the ensuing journey of these refugees and their ultimate settlement in the Herat refugee camp, located in Western Afghanistan. Majidi presents a thorough, unabridged glimpse into life inside a refugee camp, illuminating the abject conditions, including insufficient shelters, insubstantial food supplies, lack of medical facilities, and more.

One compelling aspect of Barefoot to Herat is the humanist touch Majidi imparts. While accurately depicting the hardship, he also ensures to showcase the hope, resilience, and the spirit of solidarity among the refugees. The film includes instances of points of light amid the enveloping despair - teachers dedicating their time and energy to educate the children within the camp, people sharing their limited resources, and moments where a community concert or a shared game brings a semblance of normalcy and joy to these individuals.

While there are no conventional plotlines or characters that one can follow in the traditional sense, Barefoot to Herat comes together as a potent narrative by binding poignant scenes of human struggle and endurance. Throughout the film, Majidi maintains a non-judgmental, observational perspective, refraining from casting blame or offering political opinions. His objective remains focused on shedding light on the humanitarian crisis and the harsh consequences of war, underlining the urgency of providing aid to those in need.

Majidi's approach also emphasizes on encounters with children, who, despite bearing dire conditions, emanate an undeniable optimism. Their innocent questions, playful antics, and youthful resilience serve as a stark contrast to the bleakness of their surroundings. These moments subtly underline the immense potential stuck in camps, waiting for the opportunity to flourish.

One scene depicts the arrival of cargo trucks loaded with donated shoes, distributed to the children to protect them from the cold winter. The title "Barefoot to Herat" is thus metaphorically representative of the path these refugees face, both in terms of their geographical journey and a journey highlighting their plight fitted into a political context.

The soundtrack in the film complements its cinematography – raw and untamed, resembling the landscape and people it encapsulates. The interspersing of cultural music brings the viewer into the heart of Afghan customs and practices, building an auditory bridge between cultures.

Barefoot to Herat serves as a significant contribution to the genre of documentary filmmaking. Its profound and heartrending exploration of Afghani refugee crisis following the devastating war delivers a wake-up call for global awareness and intervention. As the world becomes more sensitized to the crises of displaced populations, this film continues to be relevant, asserting itself as a depiction of human resilience and testament to the spirit of survival.