'My Childhood, My Country - 20 Years In Afghanistan': Film Follows Boy's Life Over Two Decades

A film following the life of a boy in Afghanistan over two decades is to premiere on Monday night.

'My Childhood, My Country – 20 Years in Afghanistan' follows Mir Hussain from his days as a seven-year-old in 2002 to the young man living in Kabul today.

The film is directed by Phil Grabsky and Shoaib Sharifi.

Mr Grabsky ventured to Afghanistan in 2002 to make a film of life in a rural province through Afghan eyes.

He was the first foreign filmmaker to reach Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks and the overthrow of the Taliban.

He said: "In my very first tape, this cheeky little boy looks right down the camera. He was showing as much interest in me as I was showing in the people around him.

"Three or four days into the shoot, I thought: Of course, he's the story - what's going to happen to Afghanistan?

"I can filter in the past - the Russians, the mujahedin - but actually my film is about what is going to happen, what impact will there be for this US-led NATO coalition?

"What will become of him?"

Mr Grabsky added: "Just watch this kid navigate his way through 20 years in an extraordinary set of circumstances and extraordinary country.

"And come away with a greater understanding of the humanity, which obviously exists in Afghanistan, but is easy to ignore because it's a long way away."

Mir remains in Kabul and his story will be told in 'My Childhood, My Country – 20 Years in Afghanistan' throughout September on ITV and ITV Hub.

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