Afghanistan by Choice

The last 15 years in Afghanistan has seen it's fair share of progress and hope, but that atmosphere has changed in the last few years. The security situation has gotten worse, the economy is collapsing, the political progress locked. People who stay may be on a sinking ship, people who leave may only lose everything just to be turned back. Even for those who make it, they face a complete loss of identity" erasing who they once were and often starting over again. For Afghans, the choice to leave or stay in Afghanistan right now is an unremitting dilemma. The deteriorating security in the last few years has already prompted many to leave. The resiliency of Afghans is being tested almost daily, with constant reminders that the situation has gotten decidedly worse. People will find themselves weighing the risks of staying versus the risks of leaving with every new explosion, kidnapping, or human rights injustice. Still, the choice to leave is not a simple one. Filmed in Kabul, Afghanistan in January 2016, AFGHANISTAN BY CHOICE serves as a portrait of how it feels to grapple with this decision day­-to­-day" interweaving the lives of five Afghans who are making the choice to stay, leave on a special visa, or plan to leave illegally. With a vacillating mixture of disappointment, pride, frustration, and hope" every individual stands to lose so much no matter what they decide. It was directed by Alexandria Bombach and Amin Palangi is the Cinematographer.