kite+runner

=﻿**THE KITE RUNNER**= The Kite Runner chronicles the lives of specifically two boys, Amir and Hassan within the politically, socially and culturally charged landscape that is Afghanistan. Hassan, a Hazara, is Amir’s servant, best friend, half-brother and a survivor of an unconscionable discrimination and betrayal. Amir, a Pashtun, is a confused youth who allows emotions, society and privilege to overshadow what he knows is right and wrong. The story is a riveting tale that clearly documents the trials and tribulations of adolescents and their friendships, as well as their ever-changing values and moral systems especially in the face of ethnic conflict, war and social stigmas. The Kite Runner is one of few films that truly demonstrate both internal conflicts within individuals and countries as well as the external conflicts that affect them. Afghanistan’s multi-ethnic mosaic of citizens allows for a truly memorable tapestry of storylines about fathers and sons, servants, best friends, love, family, loyalty, betrayal, reconciliation, redemption, war, fundamentalism and discrimination. The film acts as a powerful platform that creates a space to discuss a vast variety of human rights issues. It creates an opening for awareness, dialogue and social action which are three of the most important goals of Amnesty International’s Human Rights Education Program. This surprising story of a young man’s struggle with his family, country and with his own self is so profound and everlasting that its effects and lessons will forever remain with the viewer. (Amnesty International [])

media type="custom" key="10461358" Afghanistan has approximately 8 major ethnic groups residing within 34 provinces or mini-states, each having its own distinct cultural and political identity. The 8 major ethnic groups are the Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Nuristanis, Aimaqs and Balochis. This lesson will introduce students to the various ethnic groups of Afghanistan and will also introduce students to important terminology that will be used in later lessons.

1. What are some of the human rights issues or injustices that are portrayed in    this film? 2. W hat was happening politically in Afghanistan during the film? 3. L ist some of the recurring themes of the film. 4. In one of the opening scenes, we see Amir and Hassan returning home from a    game of kite-fighting. The boys part ways and Amir walks up his redbrick driveway lined with trees and rosebushes towards his magnificent house; whereas Hassan walks towards a little mud hut. In what way does this scene set the stage for this film? 5. Could Hassan be considered wealthier than Amir in some ways? Why or why not? Define wealth. What are some criteria we can use to measure one’s personal inner wealth? 6. A quote in the first chapter of The Kite Runner book was “Afghans like to say: Life goes on, unmindful or beginning, end…crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow dusty caravan of kochis (nomads).” How does this idea resonate throughout the film? 7. H ow did war, conflict and human rights abuse change the characters of the book? 8. W ho chose to stay in Afghanistan during the Soviet Invasion? Who chose to flee? Who did not have a choice? Why? 9. D id Amir and Baba Jan become internally displaced peoples? Refugees? Or   both? What rights were taken away from them when they had to leave their home? (In-depth study of IDP’s and Refugees can be found in Lesson 5) 10. What kind of resettlement process did Baba and Amir have to go through? What kind of resettlement process did some of the other characters endure? 11. When Amir failed Hassan, would you consider his action a human rights abuse? Why? 12. What did Rahim Khan mean when he said to Amir, “there is a way to be good again”? Was it important for Amir to redeem himself? Why? Are we always able to reconcile with past mistakes or past human rights abuses? Is it important to do so? Why?