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No Good Men’ Opens Berlin Film Festival With Shahrbanoo Sadat’s Afghan Political Rom-Com

Sadat uses a Kabul newsroom romance to humanize Afghan lives.

Overview

  • The film had its world premiere as the Berlinale opener on Feb. 12, with Sadat directing and starring as Naru, a TV camerawoman in 2021 Kabul.
  • Shot entirely in Germany, the feature is an international co-production led by Adomeit Film with European partners and extensive casting from the Afghan diaspora.
  • The production features elements unusual for Afghan cinema, including a promoted first on-screen kiss and a sex-toy gag; the original lead exited, so Sadat stepped into the role.
  • It is the third entry in a planned five-film cycle inspired by Anwar Hashimi’s autobiographical manuscript, and it is dedicated to seven Tolo TV staffers killed in a 2016 attack.
  • Early reviews highlight a distinctive blend of romantic-comedy touches with political realities surrounding the U.S. withdrawal and Taliban return, noting its intent to counter grim portrayals.