When the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, the resulting chaos became international headlines, with control of the country being handed back to the Taliban. After the last plane took off and the journalists had retreated to their own countries, the narrative was far from over. This was the cue for Ibrahim Nash’at to step in, traveling to Kabul to chronicle the transformation of the Taliban from a militia to an official administration in his film "Hollywoodgate."
The film primarily captures the happenings at the former American base, providing an eye-opening depiction of everyday life on the base alongside the meticulous planning that hints at a potentially tumultuous future for not only the region but potentially the globe. The honesty of the depicted scenes is debatable, with the potential of the Taliban subjects using the platform for propaganda. Nash’at's narration debates this tension between what they wish to display and what he wanted to capture which accentuates the film's enthralling allure.
Nash’at's film captures instances where the Taliban members discuss his presence openly and even threaten him subtly to manipulate the direction of the film. The film closely follows Mawlawi Mansour, the Air Force Commander, as he confidently strides around the base, issuing instructions primarily focused on restoring the base's functionalities.
The film starts with soldiers discovering alcohol and energy drinks in a freezer; by the end, they're flaunting their recently reassembled killing machines, the aftermath of the U.S leaving behind billions worth of weaponry. This jarring transformation is a sobering reminder of how the world evolves.
Having spent a year at Hollywood Gate, Nash’at's chosen scenes to depict during the 90-minute documentary is a revealing insight into life under the Taliban rule. Despite moments of grandstanding by Mansour, the film also reflects the regression in women's rights, brought forth by men discussing women while watching the news.
"Hollywoodgate" concludes with a terrifying spectacle of the Taliban showcasing the American's leftover arsenals, a show of power intended for nations deemed as enemies, such as Russia and China. The film is a chilling reminder of the power dynamics often hidden from our view.
Hollywoodgate serves as a cinematic form of journalism, filling the gaps left by traditional media who have largely retreated from Kabul. Their departure has left many untold stories, such as the struggle for basic necessities by two-thirds of the Afghan population and the decline of women's rights under the new leadership. This film serves as both a cautionary tale and a revealing documentary, demonstrating the realities amidst a budding international crisis.
