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What am I missing?  What's something that stood out to you?  Did you like the film, not like the film...why?  What do you still have questions about?  What angered you, made you think, made you grateful?

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The 20-odd men who had come to the party were expecting a dancing boy, or bacha bereesh. Some were drinking while others were smoking hashish in open windows, looking down into the street of the middle-class Kabul district of Karte-Char as they anticipated the boy's arrival.

The 16-year-old Hazara youth was known as "the Chinoise" for his striking oriental features. Many had seen him dance at other parties. He was the jealously guarded "property" of a wealthy Kabul businessman who had promised to bring him around later in the evening.

Then someone's phone rang: The boy had been arrested by Afghan police while dancing at a wedding. Jokes went around about the reception a delicate youth like the Chinoise could look forward to in a Kabul jail.

But a last-minute substitute was found. At around midnight the host threw back a curtain and a dancer leapt through the doorway. He was no dancing boy, but a man of about 40, his face starkly made up, his blue dress covered with tiny bells and sequins.

For a moment the baffled partygoers only stared. Then they began clapping with the music as the middle-aged dancer spun around them in a blur of light and color.
'I was his little prince'
His name is Kamal. When he was 14 his father died and his mother placed him in the care of a family friend. He had never heard of bacha bazi, the practice of wealthy or powerful men conscripting adolescent boys into sexual slavery.

"He was someone I knew and trusted," Kamal says of the man he once called master.

The Soviets had withdrawn from the country and a bloody civil war was under way. When Kamal's mother and siblings fled to Pakistan, his master (or bacha baz) agreed to take care of the youth. It would be more than a decade before he saw his family again.

"I was his little prince," Kamal recalled. "He used to hold my hand in the street. He told people I was his adopted son."

Bacha bazi flourished in the years leading up to the rise of the Taliban, particularly among warlords and mujahideen fighters. Kamal remembers attending parties where other boys were on proud display, their masters vying to see who had the most attractive boy.

"I wasn't the most beautiful of the boys, but I had one thing most of them didn't have...I had talent."
Prostitution did not appeal
Kamal is reluctant to talk about the sexual component of his relationship to his bacha baz. "He never hurt me," he insists. "He was always tender. He never traded me around with his friends as some did."

Even the man's wife eventually accepted the arrangement, lavishing attention on Kamal and treating him as a member of the family. It was she who arranged for him to study dance.

Kamal found that he had a natural aptitude for dancing, and was soon in high demand at parties. He says that even the most hardened civil war fighters would watch in a state of helpless rapture.

But when the Taliban took control of the country in 1992, Kamal's master was forced to flee with his family to India. Kamal was not invited to come along.

And like that, it was over-the parties, the dancing lessons, the stand-in family. Like many boys who "age out" of their enslavement, Kamal found he had nowhere to turn, and no marketable skills but one: his dancing. Prostitution, a common fallback for many abused boys, did not appeal to him.

But with the rise of the ultra-Islamic Taliban, music, dancing and even the practice of bacha bazi all went underground. Those were dark years for Kamal.

"I had to become a new person, someone who wouldn't attract attention," he says. "A part of me had to die so that I would not feel pain."
Boys are more at risk than girls
With the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the practice of bacha bazi saw a renaissance. Under the new government many former warlords were able to resume positions of influence, taking young boys as symbols of status and prestige.

A 2014 study by Hagar International found that on average one in 10 Afghan boys they interviewed had experienced some form of human trafficking, including bacha bazi.

Sara Shinkfield, country director of Hagar Afghanistan, called the study "a striking reminder that boys in Afghanistan are even more at risk than girls for trafficking."

Kamal, who now dances professionally at parties and weddings, comes in contact with many abused boys, some as young as 9 or 10. Even at that young age they already carry the emotional scars of rape and violence.

"It breaks your heart," he says. "You look into their eyes and they already look old. Something inside them has died."

Most boys enter into bacha bazi because of extreme poverty. The bacha baz will often pay to sustain a family for years in return for "ownership" of a boy.

Those boys who escape often have no resources to fall back on, and many eventually end up returning to their former master. In rare cases where a victim brings charges against his abuser, it is often the boy-lacking money and influence-who is sent to prison.

While the Afghan government pays lip service to ending the practice, bacha bazi is known to exist among the military, the police and the echelons of government. When the U.N. raised the issue before Hamid Karzai, the president replied, "Let us win the war first. Then we will deal with such matters."

Just as the end of that war seems more and more elusive, the practice of bacha bazi seems unlikely to loosen its current hold. The practice is deeply entrenched in Afghan culture, reaching back to its pre-Islamic past. When Alexander passed through the area he took possession of Bagoas, a Persian dancing boy, with whom he was on intimate terms until his death. Even the 16th century Mughal emperor Babur had a well-known ardor for catamites.

Such quaint historical references are far removed from the contemporary horror faced by many unwilling initiates into bacha bazi. Recruited from among the poorest of the poor, their suffering is often overlooked by the Afghan judiciary, which affords few legal protections to abused boys. With no education or support, many boys become criminals, and some become bacha baz themselves.

While Kamal tries to help such boys when he can, it's often too dangerous. For many abusers, the bacha bereesh is coveted property, and rescue is perceived as tantamount to theft.

"Most of them aren't as lucky as I was," he says. "I received training. I have a job and a life. I have clients calling me every day of the week."

Does he think the practice will end anytime soon? He looks down at his manicured nails.

"It should. It needs to. But it won't."

Will Everett is a journalist and aid worker living in Afghanistan. He is the author of the forthcoming novel We'll Live Tomorrow (September 2015), which addresses the subject of bacha bazi. For more information, please visit, www.willeverett.net.

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The 20-odd men who had come to the party were expecting a dancing boy, or bacha bereesh. Some were drinking while others were smoking hashish in open windows, looking down into the street of the middle-class Kabul district of Karte-Char as they anticipated the boy's arrival.

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Amir and his father were able to leave when the Soviets invaded because of their wealth and status - think about this, discuss this.  How was this same scenario played out throughout history?  In Ukraine right now? Does it play out here in America?  How do you feel about people fleeing to America for safety?

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Discuss Amir's return to Afghanistan - what stands out to you? Would you be brave enough to do it? Did he have to, or could he have paid someone to rescue his nephew? Is he good again?

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Kite flying is one of Afghanistan's national outdoor sports. People have been flying kites in Afghanistan for more than 100 years. Flying kite is a common hobby of many Afghan people throughout the country. Kite flying in Afghanistan is an outdoor sport that many consider to be an art form. From the designs and sizes of kites to the making of unbreakable wire, for many, the hobby became a matter of honor to compete to be the best kite flyers in their neighborhood.

Unfortunately, kite flying in Afghanistan was banned by the Taliban during the war in 1996 - 2001. It was against the law for several years, but after the collapse of the Taliban government, it has become legal again and everyone loves to fly kites. Kite flying is frequently enjoyed during the weekends because Friday is considered a holiday in Afghanistan, due to religious traditions. Muslims traditionally take a day of rest and prayer on Friday so students are off from the school, and they have a chance to have fly kites.

Many young Afghan people are attracted to this sport. The best season for Kite flying in Afghanistan is during the Autumn season because of the good winds. Many children and adults fly colorful kites in their spare time. Kite flying is a favorite sport that brings joy and smiles to many people; however, it can sometimes be dangerous too.

Many people get injured on rooftops by chasing free kites or lose focus during a heated battle and forget about the ground. Some people cut their fingers from grabbing onto the strings of the kites because of strong winds and sharp glass particles bonded to the line. People usually use sharp glass because it is easier to cut a competitor's wire during a kite battle. The most common place to fly kites is in Chaman-e-Babrak, a park in northern Kabul where there are many kite-flying competitions. Kids, teenagers, adults, and seniors come from all around Afghanistan and Kabul city to participate in these competitions and lay wagers on fighting kites.

In Afghan cities, the sky is filled during the competition with hundreds of brightly colored kites soaring high into the air going from one side to the other. When an opponent's kite is cut free, "It flutters like a colorful, dying bird into the far reaches of the city," said Khaled Hosseini. Hosseini is the author of The Kite Runner, a novel that explores life under the Taliban, as well as, the protagonist's experience with kite flying. Kite flying in Afghanistan is enjoyed among the people particularly during the specific months of the three seasons which is Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Today the Afghan kites are seen in many countries and in different parts of the world. Due to its unique design, people love to have them in their homes and decorate their houses with these beautiful pieces of art.
Photos courtesy of https://www.rferl.org/a/1101400.html

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For Afghan people, kite-flying is a way of life

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Kite flying is one of Afghanistan's national outdoor sports. People have been flying kites in Afghanistan for more than 100 years. Flying kite is a common hobby of many Afghan people throughout the country. Kite flying in Afghanistan is an outdoor sport that many consider to be an art form.

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Regret is a major theme in the best-selling novel and film The Kite Runner. It is also a major theme in the life of the Afghan boy who plays the lead character as a child.

The young actor, 12-year-old Zakria Ebrahimi, has been the target of threats from fellow Afghans who were offended by the movie, which includes a scene of child rape. The movie is banned in Afghanistan but nevertheless has circulated on pirated DVDs.

Paramount Pictures relocated four of the child actors in The Kite Runner to the United Arab Emirates for their safety shortly before the movie's release. But after months apart from his family, Zakria returned to Afghanistan. He is now unable to attend school or, for the most part, leave his house. His family believes the studio needs to do more to help.
A Controversial Role
In an opening scene, Zakria's character, Amir, asks his friend Hassan, the son of a house servant, to find the kite they won in a kite-fighting contest. "Don't come back empty-handed," Amir says.

Hassan, who is from the country's Hazara minority, is cornered during his search by a group of Pashtun boys, and raped. Amir, who is also a member of the Pashtun majority, witnesses the assault but does nothing to stop it.

Zakria was selected to play young Amir by director Marc Forster, who, striving for authenticity, went to Kabul to cast unknowns for his film.

Many Afghans who have seen The Kite Runner accuse the actors and Paramount of making a film that insults their country. They say the movie - banned or not - also has heightened ethnic tensions that have caused decades of conflict.

Fear that the child actors might be harmed by insurgents or mobs prompted Paramount to move four of them to Dubai in November, each with a guardian. The studio put the boys in a private international school, rented apartments for them, paid their families in Dubai and Kabul a monthly stipend, and searched for work for their guardians.

The guardians were required to sign contracts stating that the arrangements were subject to change if they spoke to the media.

Rich Klein, whose consulting firm, McLarty Associates, was hired by Paramount to help relocate the families, says the clause was meant to protect the boys' anonymity, not penalize them.

"The studio has, I think, gone above and beyond to accept responsibility for the safety and well-being of all of these boys and has left their promises to these boys open-ended," says Klein.

Zakria's aunt, Waheeda Ebrahimi, feels otherwise.
Continued Harassment
Waheeda says she and her nephew, whom she has raised since he was a baby, spent roughly four miserable months in Dubai.

She and Zakria worried he would be deported because his visa had expired, even though Paramount was working on getting him a new one. Waheeda says the small stipends and $400-a-month job she was offered were not enough for her to support her family.

So they returned to Kabul in March. It was then, she says, that the trouble began.

Zakria was pulled out of his Kabul school because Hazara classmates threatened to kill him, Waheeda says, breaking down into tears.

She says the family moved to a new neighborhood but quickly left after a gang of men tried to force their way into the home. Someone had distributed a dozen copies of The Kite Runner to her neighbors, each with a note describing where Zakria lived.
'A Very Real Concern'
The family still lives in Kabul, but Zakria spends all of his time indoors. He is pale and rarely smiles. His uncle, a shopkeeper, is home schooling him.

Zakria says he wishes he had never done the movie and that he wants Paramount to get him and his family out of this mess. They want to go to America.

"I don't think anybody is happy with the fact that ... Zakria is not doing well," says Klein. "There's a very real concern."

But Klein says the family needs to be realistic about what Paramount can do for them. He hopes they will consider moving back to Dubai.

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'Kite Runner' Star's Family Feels Exploited By Studio

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The child star of The Kite Runner faced harassment in his home country of Afghanistan before the film was even released. Paramount Pictures tried to relocate the boy for his safety, but his family believes the studio has not done enough to help.

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So who's your favorite character now? And why?

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It bugs be that Baba was so intent on being good, honorable when he slept with another man's wife. That's the exact opposite of good and honorable. Was he two-faced? Was he trying to make-up for what he did? Was he acting out of remorse? Or had he truly changed and believed in the importance of courage, honor, decency? I know a good story leaves questions yet to be answered, and that's what I'm still wondering...the human side of one man, most likely knowingly, raising another man's child.

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I think what Amir did was courageous. He risked his life multiple times in order to find his nephew, because he believed that it was the right thing to do. The taliban is not the most courteous organization, so just being in the same country is dangerous enough. I think Amir made up for how cowardly he was in the beginning of the movie. Hassan would be proud of Amir for finally not sticking around on the sidelines.

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What stood out to me was the culture within the movie. There were so many things that I learned. For instance, when writing in their language they use symbols instead of actual letters. This movie also made me gracious that I live in the United States and will hopefully never have to go through what the people in Kabul did. The fact that people carrying guns on the street is a normal sight to see is alarming to me. The taliban is run by horrible people who think that their actions are justified by the will of God.

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Reading this article left me disgusted and mortified. I feel like the term Bacha Bazi would look upbeat to most people that don't know what it means. It made me sad when the author stated that a lot of these boys have nowhere to turn, and usually end up going back to their "master" anyways. The fact that the "master" is able to manipulate little boys into thinking their actions are reasonable is so disturbing. Most of these boys are so traumatized, that they eventually end up in the Bacha Bazi themselves.

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Words & Writing >>> What is the power of writing? Do we need writers still today? How about storytellers? Is it a worthwhile profession or a silly profession? How does this relate to our world today?

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Hassan is still my favorite character. He was the most loyal person in this entire thing. He was loyal to Amir since day one and never ever broke that. He even endured many horrible things, but yet still wanted to talk to Amir. Hassan is one of the strongest characters in this movie and he died trying to take care of his, once great friend's, house.

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What stands out to me was Amir's bravery. When we watched him as a child we did not see bravery from it what so ever. Now, as an adult we see Amir going to Afghanistan while it is not safe. Amir didn't have to go. He had a book tour to go on and had a pleasant life in America. He chose to go because HE felt like he had to. I believe he had to do. If he didn't go he wouldn't of got clarity and the possession of nephew. If Amir paid someone to get up I doubt anything would go the way he planned.

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My favorite character in the movie is Soraya, Amirs wife. When her husband, Amir, goes back to Afghanistan and she accepts the fact he may never come home. On top of this when he is gone she barely gets to talk to him, which when you are newly married could be difficult. When Amir brought Sohrab home she was very welcoming to the little boy when, for the most part, she knew nothing about him. I feel like she is sort of the woman behind the scenes who holds their family together.

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I think the country Amir returned to was entirely different than the one he left. The Taliban had completely destroyed the country Amir once lived in. I don't know if I could bring myself to go back to a country with stuff like that happening in it. I don't think Amir necessarily had tp go back himself, but he knew that was the right thing to do. He had to go back and make right what he should have years ago. I would say he is good again, but his past will always be remembered.

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I feel so bad for Zakria, and the fact that he can't peacefully live in his own home country. I feel like the risks behind this movie should've been discussed properly to the boy and his family. Paramount is a large and rich corporation, so they should be able to do more than they are offering. I can't imagine receiving death threats from my own neighbors, and not being able to move away from them.

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This reminds me of the WWII, in the way that people of a wealthier status were able to leave more easily than people of a lesser status. Money can be the difference between life and death in these cases. The guards and people in charge want money in return for them to let people safely pass through or escape. I'm sure it plays out similarly in America because money is a huge motivator and everyone (especially people in power) wants it. Also, typically the wealthier and more popular you are, the more connections you have, which would be a big factor in escaping during a time like this. I think people fleeing to America is fine, as long as they do it legally. America can provide more safety than many other countries, so it's a good idea, but coming in illegally causes many problems.

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Something that stood out to me is that Hassan took the blame for Amir's watch, even though he did nothing. He could have easily said he didn't take it but he decided to just accept it. I wish Amir wouldn't have do that to Hassan and that Hassan and Amir could have came back together again. I'm grateful to see Amir take his nephew in and try and right his wrongs. Overall this movie was really good, but had too many good ideas to just talk about one.

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It is certainly easier for wealthy people to escape a country that is being conquered. This leaves the majority of the population to suffer or risk their lives to escape from a new order of government. I can see why many people would flee to America for safety, because America is a world power and there is no place safer when the country has a powerful military.

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Hassan is my favorite character. He had nothing growing up or even when he was an adult. He was honest and courageous all through his life. He wrote Amir a lovely note saying that he hopes they meet again one day. He stayed loyal to Amir even though he wasn't the best friend. I also want to say that I think Amir always had a good intentions. As a child he was confused and faced with hard deceiosn. As he grew he realized what he had to do to fixed them.

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Amir's return to Afghanistan was dangerous, but necessary. He could have refused, but I think he would have had the unbearable weight of guilt on his shoulders for the rest of his life. Something that really stood out to me was when he refused to forget his childhood while in Kabul at his old house. He needed to remember, and he became a much better person because of this. I think he can live his life free of so much guilt now. It was necessary for him to go there and save Hassan's son himself, as it brought him a much needed closure. Most importantly, he saved his nephews life.

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Amir's return to Afghanistan was extremely brave. He didn't have to rescue his nephew and he could have easily paid someone to do it for him. What makes Amir's decision even more courageous is that when he decided to go back to Afghanistan, he still had no idea that Hassan was his brother. Which technically meant he didn't know Soraya was his nephew. Amir's personality changes for the better in the second half of the movie.

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Hassan is now my favorite character, because he is one of the characters that committed very few sins. He fights for himself and others when if needed. He also believes in others and himself that no matter what happens something good will be returned.

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This is very messed up and wrong. A young child who definitely didn't know that some people were going to be offended by the movie can't even go home now. There has got to be more Paramount can do to protect Zakria. Having to move away from home just so you could go about your everyday business without fear of being killed is something any child should be able to do.

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Amir was incredibly brave for going back to Afghanistan, considering how dangerous it was with the Taliban. I'm sure he didn't think about people recognizing him either, but it happened. I think I'd be brave enough to go back because if I didn't, I'd always be wondering if I made the right decision not to go. It'd be really difficult though, because I'd be leaving the comfort of my new, safe home to go to a place where I could be killed. I'd want to revisit the place of my childhood and see if there was anything I could do to help. Amir could have paid someone to rescue his nephew, but I think he felt guilty for what happened to Hassan so many years ago, and this was his way of making up for it. He risked his life to save his nephew; this shows how much Amir has grown and the regret he has, so yes, I think he is good again.

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Amir was raised right. After he was taught that being disloyal to your friends and family was shameful, he later learned to stand up for those who you love. He was very brave to go back to Kabul. I do not know if I would have the guts to do what he did. Maybe if a friend went with me and I planned it perfectly, but who knows. Paying someone would have been the most risky route to go. They could take the money and not even leave America. They also wouldn't have the drive of ambition that Amir had. I think Hassan would have forgiven Amir had he known that he rescued his son. But, I still don't think Amir would forgive himself.

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This is so hard for Zakria. He was offered a star spot in a movie and took it at a young age. He didn't know it would cause so much harm to him and his family. None of this is fair for them and it's sad to hear that Zakria doesn't even smile anymore. Hopefully Paramount can think of something to help out. Also maybe one day Zakria can go outside again and start to smile once more.

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This article was disturbing, to say the least. It is an important article though. Without writers putting this out, we wouldn't know what goes on on the other side of the world. Even still, I feel American is blinded but this practice. It makes me sick to think they pick little boys with no family or money to be abused. The boys that go through this growing up in this kind of abuse. It makes me wonder if they think this kind of thing is normal? The boys will forever be traumatized by their childhood.

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Hassan was my favorite from beginning to end. At the start he was loyal to Amir through anything. Even when Amir turned on him and framed him Hassan took the blame anyway. When Amir was throwing fruit at Hassan and yelling at him to throw it back Hassan just walked away. Then we jump more towards the end when Amir is grown, he opens a letter from Hassan. After all these years Hassan tells Amir that he still has a friend waiting for him if he ever wishes to return.

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The fact that Zakria can't live peacefully in his home country is painful. I can kinda understand why this movie is an insult to the Afghan culture, but it should also show what impacts the Afghan people suffer through based on their culture. I feel Paramount can help Zakria a lot from the amounts of criticism he has to suffer through.

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This article was very disturbing to read. It's so sad that these young boys have no choice, but to accept the situation they got forced into. They are so young and many of them aren't educated enough to see how wrong the situation they are in really is. This isn't something that just happens in the middle east this is happening here in America. It's so sad. This is a huge issue that in my opinion doesn't get enough attention.

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This is so interesting! I never knew kite flying was a sport. It amazed me that people can direct their kites to cut anothers. It's also crazy to think that the Taliban would ban something like this. I don't see any harm in flying a kite!

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It is definitely easier for wealthy people to escape. People who aren't as wealthy are desperate for money and will do anything to make some. This being said the more wealthy people throughout history have been able to pay people with little money to get them out and the less wealthy people really have no choice but to do it. Yes I would say this plays out in America today.

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Hassan is my favorite character by far. He was loyal even when he didn't need to be. Like when Amir was throwing stuff at Hassan, yet he did not fight back. He stayed true to his own values. Hassan didn't need to prove anything to anyone. He knew the risks to not fighting back in the alley, yet he still kept the kite for Amir. Even as a kid he did all the right things. I would like to say that Amir is now my favorite, but I still can't get past the mistakes he made as a chid. He was very young, but I think he knew better every time he messed up.

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This article was flat out disgusting to read. These poor young kids were being "enslaved" and forced to dance and be raped. Even Kamal was so damaged that it almost sounded like he didn't care about what happened to him. He did say it needs to end and it definitely does. Young boys should not be getting kidnapped to dance around and be raped or passed to other men. This was just so disturbing to hear about and I really hope that some how, some way, this all gets put to an end.

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I wish the movie would've had a point where Hassan and Amir see each other again. I wanted to know how that would go down and if their relationship would ever be the same. Other than that I thought it was a very entertaining movie. One thing that angered me was when Amir tried to frame Hassan for stealing his watch and Hassan just took the blame for it no questions asked.

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This article annoyed me because it seems like business to me. Paramount had to have known the repercussion that this actor was going to face from this film. They offered him nothing. I couldn't imagine being in this situation. Although it's not right, I can see how people from his country think he betrayed them. They are so brainwashed into thinking that whats going on is okay that they have no idea how the rest of the world views it. They are not aware of how wrong it really is, which is extremely sad.

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This is a terrible situation because Zakria didn't do anything wrong. The Kite Runner is historically accurate, so I don't understand how it offended anyone. I think Paramount made the right move in getting the actors guardians and a place to live in, but they could do more. To me, it sounds like the best decision would be for the actors to be brought to America. They wouldn't have to worry about much harassment, if any at all. It's a truly unfortunate situation because Zakria starred in a very powerful and insightful movie, but now he regrets it and wishes he never had.

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I really enjoyed this film. This movie really brought to light the horrors of the taliban. Seeing what these families and children go through is sickening. It made me even more aware of all of the terrible things we hear in the news: the stoning of women, hangings on the street, war-torn cities, and child sex slaves. Watching some of these graphic scenes in the movie made it even more real. It's hard to see these distressing things, but we need to if we want things to change.

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This article is disturbing to read. The fact that young boys/girls are being captured and sold to dance and raped is horrific. I can't understand why a culture will be okay with this. I mean really, why anyone sell young boys/girls into sex trafficking without any consequences and how do people not realize on how this is wrong?

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Amir definitely had the ability to hire someone to go and find the boy, but he knew that he was the one that had to do it. Amir had to pay back Hassan for all that Hassan has done for him. He knew that if it wasn't him he wouldn't feel as confident in the boys rescue.

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When Amir returned to Afghanistan a lot had changed. The Taliban mainly ran out the Soviet Union and ran the country now when he returned. Kabul being run down stood out to me, from the war and Soviet union control. I don't think I would be brave enough to return. He could have paid someone but it was personal enough that he had the courage to do it. I would say he feels a lot better and he knew that he owed Hassan especially after he figured out they were related.

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It is so sad to see things like this happen to a person like Zakira. I feel like Paramount could definitely do more in the protection of their actors. The film was made to accurately represent the real life events that occurred. If it was a "bad representation" of Afghanistan then where would they pull these stories from.

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Amir, is my favorite character now. Seeing him grow and mature to the point to where he was able to return to Afghanistan and retrieve Sohrab. This act showed how he had grown courage to be able to save his nephew. By the end of the movie when he was flying the kite with Sohrab you see how he acted the same way as Hassan had for him. This showed his growth and made him my favorite character.

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My favorite character is Amir. Amir at the beginning of the movie is a lot different from him at the end of the movie. Amir started as a coward and he was unable to stand up for himself. Hassan his best friend and brother fought all his battles for him. The way Amir changed and showed at the end of the movie that he wasn't afraid to go and rescue Hassan's boy from Pakistan really shows how much he cared for Hassan.

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This is hard for the fact that Zakria had to leave his home for starring in a movie at such a young age. It is tough to hear that he also doesn't smile anymore for this fact. It doesn't seem right for him to have to deal with the retribution from the film.

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The fact that this has happened to so many boys and I haven't even heard about this until today just proves that there is a big lack of voice for these victims. Awareness should have been brought to these events and situations. A lot of people are not informed that this is a thing in the Middle East and other regions.

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This was very disturbing to read. I cant even comprehend how these people can take little boys and physically and mentally abuse them in every way. In the Article they say they felt dehumanized. This is not how 12-15 year old boys should feel in their home country. They should be able to go outside and be free to play and not have to worry about being sold or snatched on the street.

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The article tells about how kite flying is one of Afghanistan's national sports. It sucks that the Taliban banned the sport especially since it was sort of a tradition for kids to fly kites and compete. Also, the sport as itself is interesting that someone is able to cut another's kite with just string from such a distance.

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I never knew what Bacha Bazi was before reading this article. Now I know how disgusting and perverted a lot of the Taliban followers are. It makes me so sad that these boys have to perform in order to survive. Once they "grow out" of their master, their lives only get harder. Bacha Bazi is just incredibly inhumane, and it's so sad realizing that it's true.

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I do not understand why the Taliban would ever think to ban kites. It is a small thing that brings happiness to kids and the community. This group took away everything that could bring joy to the people. Banning a sport/hobby is really shallow. And why keep other sports?

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It's so cool that kite flying is a sport, an honor, a hobby, and an art. I didn't realize the many dangers that come with it, especially when people fall off roofs or use broken glass bonded to the kites wire. I learned how competitive these people get with their kite flying. I don't understand why the Taliban had to ban such a fun and competitive sport.

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Amir’s return to Afghanistan was a crazy scene to watch. Honestly I never knew Afghanistan to be anything but a dry desert land that looked like a product of war. It was incredibly sad to see a country to die like that. Amir’s reflection earlier to the people of Afghanistan are just skeletons now was like this foreshadowing of this poor land being a shell of what it once was. It’s also like a signification that Amir’s childhood is dead, is fathers gone, Hassan is gone, his house keeper is gone, and finally his home country is gone.  I never knew just how terrible the product of war is until this movie. Textbook pictures and descriptions hardly shows the long term tragedy.
Also, I don’t think Amir was ever…bad? He was just a kid who didn’t know how to react or what he should do. Yes, Hassan had a way better character then Amir, but they were raised differently and have different levels of knowledge. He was just a kid trying to protect his friend from his own self thinking that if he pushes him away he’ll be safe, or if his friend gets mad at him his guilt will leave.

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It is really interesting that kite flying is such a popular main sport for Afghan because in our country you don't hear much about people flying kites or calling it a sport. It is sad to hear that they banned kite flying when the Taliban was in control. This is something that clearly makes many people happy. I wish that this sport was popular in our country because that would be fun to be outside in nature with friends flying kites.

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It is so awful to hear that these young boys are being forced to be a part of Bacha Bazi. They are young and shouldn't be used as slaves. It is sad to read that 1 in 10 Afghan kids that were interviewed experienced this trauma. It is also said that families did this to their kids because they needed money so they let people have ownership over their children in exchange for money. It just disgusts me.

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This article is extremely eye opening. It disgusted me to read about the atrocities that are deemed an unavoidable part in many boys lives. I would like to know more about Kamal and how the men react to him instead of seeing a young boy. Does he get the same treatment after the dancing as the young boys do or is he strictly a dancer that is making a steady living with this job. I would also like to know more about the culture of Afghanistan and how this practice came to be. It seems engrained in our culture to nurture and protect young children and it is difficult for me to wrap my mind around that not being what everyone thinks. Rape in general is disgusting and I think that no human should ever feel as though they have the right to touch another human without consent. Even forcing children into being dancers is just odd to me. Another point I had to bring up was that these children who are exploited are viewed as dirty and worthless but the people exploiting them are seen to have prestige and honor. I am honestly just disgusted at these practices.

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I think Amir goes to Afghanistan to sort of right the wrongs he has done in the past. Once he is back I think it is healing in a way for him to return. When he learns that Hassan was his brother I feel like he feels a rush of guilt for how he treated him and never getting a proper good bye so he feels even more strongly about rescuing Sorhab. I'm not sure if I would be able to go back to my home country, especially being newly wed and having a lot to risk. I think that he probably could have just paid someone to get him back but it would have been much more difficult to do. I feel as though Amir was never "bad" but he is definitely learning how to heal and forgive himself for the wrongs he's made in the past. While he cannot "right" his wrongs, he can learn to live through them and appreciate the things and people he still has in his life. Through the film you can definitely see growth in him and I think traveling back was a good thing for him to help him move on.

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My favourite character is Amir. He is my favorite character because we got to see his character mature from a quite and shy kid to a adult who is brave and courageous. I really liked to see that even after Amir found out the truth about Hassan he still was willing to bring him into his family. This whole situation showed how strong the relationship between Amir and Hassan was it was a beautiful story line to add to the film.

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I think the directors definitely should have thought more of the impacts this movie would have on the characters. I hope they would not have done this if they really knew the full extent of what would happen to the cast, but I do not know for sure because I do know that wealthy people and corporations can be selfish and cold. I do think that they should have considered relocating them somewhere that is safer for them and continued to make sure they were comfortable. Paramount seems indifferent to the suffering that Zakria is enduring because of their doings. It seems unfair that they would do this to a young child and I feel extremely sad for the families that have been affected by this.

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I think that writing holds a lot of power through history and today. Without writing, our history and all the issues we know about today would not be heard like they are. I think it is important that we still have writers around today because they will continue to leave a trail of history for future generations. Social media and the vast internet have obviously changed the way writing is done but it is still extremely important. I think it is still an important aspect because of the reasons stated above. Storytellers are a lesser part of our culture but are a huge part of other cultures because written history is not as thorough as it is here. Writing relates to the world today because everything is crazy and the world is changing so fast that writers need to keep up on the events to continue to leave a trail.

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I think what Amir did was very brave. Going back to Afghanistan when he knew the Taliban was there was something I could never do. Amir didn't even have to go, but he did it out of the kindness of his heart to save Hassan's son. What stood out to me is how much he's changed since he was a kid. He went from a coward to courageous.

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This topic makes me sick. I can't believe some people enjoy doing this and they don't see how it's wrong. It's awful that some boys are almost forced into it because they need money to support their families. Selling yourself should never be an option. Even nine and ten year olds are pulled into this, which is heart-breaking because they're being emotionally and physically abused at such a young age. I was shocked to hear that trying to rescue the boys would be considered theft because they're their masters' property. Slavery should be in the past.

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I feel bad for Zakria, he didn't do anything wrong and was just doing his job, and he's getting death threats. I think that Paramount should have known that there was going to be a reaction from Afghanistan, and should have prepared for it better. It makes me sad that Zakria has to go through this because he's so young. I hope Paramount does a better job in the future if they cross these circumstances again.

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My favorite character is now Amir. I really didn't like him when he was younger, but now that he's older he's been both brave and courageous. What he did to save Hassan's son was very brave and dangerous. I really like how he wants to do the right thing for Hassan, which I admire.

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This movie had me in tears. It was sooooo good and I loved the circular motion in it. How we start with a kite tournament in what was once a lively town in Afghanistan and end on teaching Sohrab how to fly one in the states, Sohrab showing traits of his father and shooting a rock at Aseff, and the roles switching where Amir is now retrieving the kite for Sohrab was so beautiful; it was like poetry. This was a journey of character development, loss, hardship, and childhood. What these children had to face at such a young age had me heartbroken; being raped, losing limbs, being sold, and experiencing war!! And these are things that still happen in the world!
The soundtrack for this movie was also great! I loved the throat singing and thought it added more emotion to the movie. It gave me more of a feeing for this area that I was unfamiliar with.
I just wonder how Sohrab will be able to cope with everything thing that’s happened to him. He had everything torn away from him so fast and had terrible things happen to him. How will he react to his new, unfamiliar environment?

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My favorite character was originally Hassan’s dad, but now it is actually Amir. Amir is my favorite character because he was courageous enough to leave America and go back to Kabul where the Taliban has taken over. He was brave enough to go and bring Sorharb into safety while also risking his own.

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This article was hard to read. It makes me sad to think that so many young boys had to go through this, and couldn't do anything about it. I would have never known about Bacha Bazi if it wasn't for this article, which shows how little we know about what's going on on the other side of the world. I definitely think this topic needs more attention so more people can be educated about it.

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This article was actually really interesting. I had no idea how big of a deal kite flying was in Afghanistan. It was so big that they even consider it a sport! From the sounds of it, it seems that is actually a very tedious sport.

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Though i didn’t really like him in his childhood, Amir really grew on me when he was shown as an adult. I could easily tell that he used all of his negative experiences, with what happened to Hassan as well and his rocky relationship with his dad, to make him a better man for his wife and Sohrab. The way that he risked his own life and fought the taliban to get Sohrab back was really admirable as well as when he stood up to Soraya’s dad was be referred to Sohrab as just a Hazara boy.

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A movie is not worth someone's life. It's so unbelievable that this actor, this CHILD, is treated so poorly by people who live in the same country as him. Paramount Pictures may have done things to help the family, but with the threats against them, they are not doing enough. They deserve safety and happiness. Their lives should not be ruined for a movie that Paramount Pictures made. I think it's important that the movie was filmed because it can draw people to learn more about Afghanistan. But that child actor and his family do not deserve the threats or the unnecessary violence. They should have used money they made from the movie to get them to America.

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I love how these kites are so special to the people of Afghanistan. The fact that’s it’s also an art form, sport, and skill makes it so much more beautiful. It’s something so unique that it makes me sad that the Taliban banned it. That just shows how truly disconnected and separate the Taliban is from the people of Afghanistan. It makes me sad that we still, as a society, perceive Middle Eastern people as terrorist, misers, or just and bad perception. They are nothing like the terrifying power group that took over their country.

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My favorite character is Hassan. He never loses his courage or loyalty throughout the entire movie. As a child, he does everything for Amir and his father. He takes the pain for people and their honor. Even when it cost him his death, he stood by what he believed. His loyalty is amazing. He worked so hard to learn to read and write to talk to Amir. His letter had no hard feelings. I wish he was given some more justice. At least his son was saved. I love the circular motion when Amir says he will run the kite for Sohrab, like Hassan did for Amir. It feels almost as if Amir makes up for what he did as a child.

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The amount of courage it took Amir to go back to the place where he associated a large portion of his pain is nothing less than remarkable. I don't know if I would be able to do the same considering the amount of danger that the trip would entail. While it definitely would have easier for Amir to pay someone to try and find his nephew, it was better that he did it himself. One he needed to go back and see the hardships he left behind and get closure for Hassan. But he also is the only one who would have gone to such great measures to rescue Soharb. In my eyes, Amir saving Soharb is like his penance for his disloyalty to Hassan when they were kids.

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This article unfortunately came as little shock to me. People constantly do disgusting, terrible things to children all the time. I’ve read about similar things happening in countries all around the world. I remember reading an article about an Asian country where early one they designated young boys to play a “womanly” sexual part. I hate how easily people act on their desires with only self interest in mind. These kids are so easily groomed and brainwashed but so many people don’t care! It should be an extreme crime to do anything harmful to a child! Even our current laws on pedophilia are something I think we should take more extremely.
Things like this makes me think that more people should believe in cynicism. It’s becoming more and more true every day.

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I cant believe the struggles that Zakira and his family went through all because he starred in a film. His whole family had to be relocated to Dubai and he has to be sent to a special school just to keep him and other costars safe. Though i could understand why some afghans are upset about the movie because it doesn’t paint the best picture of their culture, movies shouldn’t be banned because they make you uncomfortable. If no one ever talked about rape in Afghanistan how would those young children ever find out that they aren’t alone? The only way to stop stigmas around issues like this is awareness and hard conversations.

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Children deserve their years of innocence and happiness, and it's so heartbreaking to know that not all children get that. The stories of the Bacha Bazi are so upsetting, and I wish children could all feel safe. I'm glad that Kamal was able to make something of a living from the horrible things that happened to him, but I wish he could get out of that business. It doesn't seem like he wants to work like that anymore and I wish he had a place to go and make a living. I wish that saving these children was more of a priority.

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My favorite character has continues to be Hassan. He continually forgave Amir no matter the cost. His undying loyalty and faithfulness is unbelievable and admirable. Even when he knew that he would probably be killed before Amir ever made it back to Afghanistan, Hassan wished nothing best for his friend. He deserved the whole world and I believe that even through his hardships, Hassan already thought he had it. It takes a special soul to be so devoted to his family until the very last second of his life.

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It was so interesting to me how well Amir still knew the area considering how long he was gone for. I don’t know how brave enough I would be to go back to a place that has become so dangerous. He did do the right thing by going to get Sorharb on his own because that means he is advocating for himself and showing how much he cares about Sorharb.

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I think that this whole situation was a mess and just so bad! No one should ever be so fearful to the point that they would feel like they need to leave their own country!

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Amir's return to Afghanistan was brave, but not at the start. I don't think he knew how dangerous the situation was until later. He came in with an assumption of safety. I would also think I'm safer than I am. I would not be brave enough to go to the Taliban to save Sohrab like Amir was. To address the question of his being "good again": Amir was a child when he was disloyal and guilty. He wasn't bad, he was a child. I think his act of saving Sohrab redeemed him in a way, but he was never bad.

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This was a really hard article to read. When Kamal was talking he said that he was “lucky” because he was only raped by his master instead of multiple men. Being raped by anyone isn’t lucky and the fact that he thought that about himself breaks my heart. I wish I could understand the point of the young children dancers. If all of these men have wives why do they need to molest and traumatize these young kids? The practice is such a toxic cycle because the people in power get to do whatever they want and when their kids see that behavior, most of the time it repeats.

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When Amir returns to Afghanistan, it surprises me how much his mindset changed from when he was a kid. He did not give up and did not hide when finding his nephew. Amir did not have to go at all or do anything really. But, I think in his mind he had to or that he owed it to his brother. Amir going back to his home that has changed into a dangerous place shows his bravery and determination. Finding out he has a brother and a nephew gave him that chance to has change him into more like Hassan.

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Writing is definitely not a silly profession. I think there has to be a talent for it. Today, there are writers for all kinds of stories, history, self-help, and more. All of these genres are important. It is good to have writers. First off, writing about history is important so we do not forget about the past and hopefully do not repeat the bad parts. Second, reading books can be a safe place for a lot of people, because they can personally relate. Books are reading perspectives that are not our own. They are important to read and learn from. The words are powerful.

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Before we watched the movie, I had no idea that kite-flying could be that fun. I really just thought all you could do was hold a string while the kite is up in the sky soaring around. Learning that kite-flying could be competitive is so interesting! Who knew that people could control kites and manipulate them carefully to cut other kites?! It is a simple and harmless joy for people. I wish that the Taliban never banned it. I think it was something to do to take their minds off of life. I hope it is still a sport going on somewhere.

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My favorite charter is Amir now. Because he had changed and built up the courage to go back to his home town that has been destroyed to save his best friends son or “niece”, so he can have a better life.

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It is crazy! I never would’ve thought that people would fly kites and compete against each other with kites as a sport! I remember flying kites when I was younger and I remember it being actually really hard to fly it the way you want it to. This is crazy that people actually competitively fly kites against each other!

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I understand banning certain things in your country but banning a movie that is more meant to inform us or teach us the ways of their culture is wrong. Some scenes might be gruesome or ugly but that’s truly how it was Than and it’s a way for us to learn so in the future we don’t repeat.

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It is was such a sad article to read! That fact that these young boys went to follow there dreams of acting and there were shuns because of it is so awful. You would think that Paramount would do everything to protect the actors especially when they are so young.

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As hard and uncomfortable this article was, it is good to read. It is good to bring light to dark subjects. Sex trafficking is only becoming worse around the world. It's horrible. No one deserves to be treated like they are nothing or an object. Performing to survive it awful. I don't understand why anyone would remotely think it would be okay to sexually abuse children. This is an issue globally that should be talked about more.

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The article was so disturbing to read. I can’t believe that this happens anywhere! These boys don’t understand what they are being told to do until it is to late. The sad part about this is American will read this article and think this will never happen in the US, but in reality it happens everywhere! I hope someday these boys are able to live there lives again. So sad.

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Amir is my favorite in the end. Putting himself in dangerous situations to save his nephew and give him a good life. He follows his passions even if they are frowned upon. Amir proved that he is able to reciprocate the love and devotion his brother showed towards him, but to Hassan's son instead. In the end when they are flying kites, Amir shows Sohrab that he would do anything for him, as Hassan would for him.

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I feel for the boys who stared in this movie. They shouldn't have to face discrimination for staring in an informational film like this. I can't imagine staring in such a film, then returning to your country and receiving backlash. Zakria did not deserve it, the fact that he had to worry for his safety while home is maddening. I'm not surprised that it is banned, it shows realistic occurances that they probably didn't want shown to the world

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I think story telling is a very good skill to have. I feel like people really listen and learn from it, leaves an impact. Sure some people really learn a lot from history books and non fiction, but I feel that if they don't know the information they will listen harder for what is coming, if that makes sense. It wouldn't hurt to have more story tellers today, the more the better. I think it is very important to have those people with a big imagination to teach people lessons through events the reader can feel they are in themselves.

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What stands out to me is how much it had changed since he was there last. All the trees had been cut down and everything was gloomy and not as joyful as it was when he was a kid. He was very brave to go there and rescue his nephew himself. I like to think i'd be brave enough to do it but I really don't know unless I was put in that situation. He could have paid someone else to do it but it might not have worked out as well and they might not have went to the lengths that Amir did to save the boy. He is definitely better than he was at the start of the movie and I think he is good now. He showed how much he cared about his family and what he would do to protect them.

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I would say my favorite character is Amir now. He showed how much he really cared about his family and what he would do to keep them safe. He risked his life and went and saved his nephew and brought him back to America to give him a better life. I also liked how he taught his nephew the art of kite flying and how he brought up a little bit of his childhood to teach and have a good time with his nephew.

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I think it's crazy how much the country changed and how much control the Taliban has. I could not have returned to get my nephew, I would have sent someone else in because I would be too worried about my safety.

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I think it is unfortunate that only the rich were able to leave, but I am glad that some people were able to escape. Similar situations are happening in Ukraine right now, people are running away because of the war. I think it's okay that people are coming here for safety, as long as they complete the necessary paper work and everything.

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I didn't know that kite flying was considered a sport there, that's pretty cool. It mainly talks about how joyful kite flying is and how important it is to Afghanistan. It's something the kids can do to compete against each other and it's also something you can do on weekends to bond with family and friends.

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What stood out to me most was how much different it was compared to when Amir was a child. I would like to believe that i would be brave enough to do that but it would be scary. He did't have to go himself but he knew it was the right thing to do for his best friend/brother. In my opinion he is good because he has shown in many ways that he cares for his family.