The Land of the Enlightened

In the wild Afghan mountains, a group of children dig up old Soviet mines to sell, recycle weapons and keep tight control on the caravans smuggling opium while American troops prepare to leave the war-torn country. In this seamless blend of fictional and documentary form, we experience a stunning cinematic journey into the beauty of war-tormented Afghanistan. Shot over seven years on evocative 16mm footage, first-time director Pieter-Jan De Pue paints a whimsical yet haunting look at the condition of Afghanistan left for the next generation.

Streaming info last checked: 20 Jan 2026