Film preservation is a challenge all over the world, but on this scale of crisis Afghanistan ranks near the very top. The mini boom in film production that followed the establishment of the state Afghan Film organization in 1965 came to an end with the ascension of the Taliban, which viewed cinema as Western culture that needed to be expunged. The country's film history might well have been lost forever, if not for the brave custodians who risked their lives to conceal films ... (Full plot summary below)
Enjoy FREE movies and series with your Prime (USA) subscription or when you start a 30-day free trial!
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | UK only | 1 Month Free Trial | 23 Jun 2018 | 4584 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 66% |  Report: Broken Link |   |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 07 Aug 2014 | 4967 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 94% | Report: Broken Link | |
| IRELAND only | 1 Month Free Trial | 18 Oct 2025 | 1503 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 73% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 26 Mar 2019 | 813 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 83% | Report: Broken Link | |
![Its HD [A Flickering Truth]](/images/logos/icons/itshd.png){kind=icon} | WORLDWIDE | ? | 01 Oct 2013 | 3658 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 88% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 11 Sep 2021 | 502 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 39% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | Free Credit | 26 Aug 2020 | 131 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 35% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 24 Apr 2016 | 49 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 24% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 17 Oct 2024 | 11 | SD / TV | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 16% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 24 Apr 2015 | 216 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 32% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 06 Dec 2017 | 32 | SD / TV | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 11% | Report: Broken Link | |
Links compiled using automated software. Availability of offers subject to change / might be region specific / out of date.
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 21 Jul 2018 | 1640 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Post | 89% |  Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | N/A | 21 Jul 2018 | 98 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Post | 34% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 21 Jul 2018 | 154 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Mail | 15% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 21 Jul 2018 | 10456 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Mail | 97% | Report: Broken Link | |
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 09 Jul 2020 | 305 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Post | 63% | Report: Broken Link | |
| UK only | N/A | 09 Jul 2020 | 87 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Post | 18% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 21 Jul 2018 | 748 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Mail | 7% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 09 Jul 2020 | 4759 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Mail | 83% | Report: Broken Link | |
Film preservation is a challenge all over the world, but on this scale of crisis Afghanistan ranks near the very top. The mini boom in film production that followed the establishment of the state Afghan Film organization in 1965 came to an end with the ascension of the Taliban, which viewed cinema as Western culture that needed to be expunged. The country's film history might well have been lost forever, if not for the brave custodians who risked their lives to conceal films from the regime. In A Flickering Truth, we meet the dedicated cinephiles who are now excavating, preserving, and restoring thousands of hours of film footage, both drama and documentary, from Afghanistan's cinematic past. The effort is led by Ibrahim Arify, who had been jailed for filmmaking under the Mujahedeen and fled the country to start a new life in Germany. Now, he has returned to rebuild Afghan Film and help bring a sense of order to a country where resources are scarce and needs are great. The heart of the organization is the elderly Uncle Isaaq Yousif, who was orphaned at age thirteen and has lived on the archive's premises for thirty-one years. Isaaq considers the archives to be his family, and now bears witness as ever more cinematic treasures are unearthed. Director Pietra Brettkelly follows the archivists as they continue to struggle during the post-Taliban era, where suicide bombers continue to target anything with Western associations. As the caretakers thread old projectors with film from unmarked reels, the country's history comes alive with images of former leaders, beloved actresses, and landmarks that have since been destroyed. A Flickering Truth is a testament to the urgency and necessity of film preservation.
Leave your thoughts about A Flickering Truth.
| Cinema ScopeRichard PortonFilmgoing is affirmed as a communal experience that can transform lives in dark, uncertain times. |
| CineVueMatthew AndersonA Flickering Truth is an historical journey, a love letter to Afghanistan, its cinema and people. |
| Film ExperienceGlenn Dunks[E]ntertaining, well edited, and finds truly wonderful moments amid the dust and the rust as we follow the efforts of a team to find and restore reels and reels of classics... |
| Little White LiesDavid JenkinsA fascinating study on a specific situation which speaks of the wider world. |
| Time OutTom HuddlestonDocumentary subjects don't come much more niche and nerdy than film archiving in Afghanistan. |
