Taliban control reshapes Afghan cinemaCEFR B1
15 Jan 2026
Adapted from Hasht-e-Subh Daily, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Sohaib Ghyasi, Unsplash
The Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 has brought major changes to Afghan cinema. Over the past years they removed films and television series from domestic broadcasters, closed cinema halls, and prohibited many cinema activities. A November 21, 2021 directive led to the widespread exclusion of women from media roles.
Officials demolished the historic Khairkhana Cinema on March 22, 2023 and later leased the Aryub Cinema building on September 26, 2023. On May 13, 2025 the Taliban officially dissolved Afghan Film, the state institution that produced and archived national films.
Journalists and filmmakers worry about the Afghan Film Archive, which holds documentary films dating back to the early 20th century. The Taliban have produced nine films and one television series in recent years; women are absent from these works and experts say the films serve propaganda. Many filmmakers live in exile and face financial and practical difficulties, while those who remain in Afghanistan struggle with censorship and poverty.
Difficult words
- directive — an official order or instruction from authorities
- archive — a place where records or films are kept
- propaganda — information used to influence public opinion
- censorship — official control that limits published content
- exile — living away from home for political reasons
- dissolve — to officially end an organization or groupdissolved
- demolish — to destroy a building or structure completelydemolished
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could the loss or damage of the Afghan Film Archive affect future knowledge of the country’s history?
- What practical and financial problems might filmmakers in exile face compared with those who stay?
- Would you prefer to work as a filmmaker in your home country under strict rules, or to leave and work abroad? Why?
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