Kabul: a powerful story at the heart of chaos (critic)

The return of the Taliban to power told in an impressive fresco, the obvious ambition and the suffocating atmosphere.

“The Taliban are at the gates of Kabul!“On August 15, 2021, Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of the American forces from Afghanistan, after two decades of war. A dramatic moment in the history of the world, which is told with force and authenticity Kabulin official competition at Séries Mania this week.

This new European series with a big budget, the fruit of a collaboration between eleven countries (including France Télévisions and ZDF in Germany) offers this powerful fresco a rare scale on French television. An ambitious production, which will be seen next Monday at 9 p.m. on France 2, and which plunges the spectator into the heart of terrible events, which occurred in the Afghan capital and its surroundings, during the Taliban’s recovery. We follow the cross destinies of various characters, including the Nazany family, faced with the need to flee, or of the last refugees from the French Embassy, ​​the last of the country to have remained open …

Waiting 13 days, 13 nights From Martin Bourboulon (this summer at the cinema), which will speak of the same subject, it is the small screen which invites us into the chaos of a routing country, during a breathtaking choral story. Taking advantage of the means offered by this vast European co -production, Kabul Tells the same event in various points of view, in an impressive electric atmosphere. Boosted by amazing decorations (everything has been filmed in Greece, in the region of Athens and in Hellenikon disused airport) and a palpable ambition, the series describes with force and authenticity the real consequences of a political decision, taken thousands of kilometers.

With a desire for realism pegged to the body, Kabul explore the anxiety of a panic city, while hell arrives. She examines with passion the distress of women, who had found a normal life, and who understand that the return of the Taliban signs the end of their existence. It intensity with intensity the terrible pressure which rises within the French Embassy, ​​where the last representatives of the Republic are trying to save as many premises as possible, in an atmosphere of life or death which is reminiscent of the anxiety and the suspense of a certain Argo (Ben Affleck’s film, released in 2012).

Yes, Kabul is an ambitious, breathtaking and useful series, which never seeks to embellish reality. By mixing intimate with great history, she recalls that behind politics, there are upset lives, broken destinies. An implacable story, carried by an immersive staging, which makes this fresco a successful collegial work.

The series is already available in full on the France.TV platform and will be broadcast on France 2 from March 31 at 9:10 p.m.