7.6/10
71,516
235 user 202 critic

The Kite Runner (2007)

PG-13 | | Drama | 21 February 2008 (Israel)
After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (novel)
Reviews
Popularity
4,193 ( 226)
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 22 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
Sayed Jafar Masihullah Gharibzada ...
Omar
...
...
Mir Mahmood Shah Hashimi ...
Business Man in Baba's Study
...
Nabi Tanha ...
Ali
...
Young Assef
Bahram Ehsas ...
Wali
Tamim Nawabi ...
Kamal
Mohamad Nabi Attai ...
Uncle Saifo the Kite Seller
Mohamad Nadir Sarwari ...
Spice Merchant
...
Party Worker
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Storyline

In the 70's in Afghanistan, the Pushtun boy Amir and the Hazara boy Hassan, who is his loyal friend and son of their Hazara servant Ali, are raised together in Amir's father house, playing and kiting on the streets of a peaceful Kabul. Amir feels that his wise and good father Baba blames him for the death of his mother in the delivery, and also that his father loves and prefers Hassan to him. In return, Amir feels a great respect for his father's best friend Rahim Khan, who supports his intention to become a writer. After Amir winning a competition of kiting, Hassan runs to bring a kite to Amir, but he is beaten and raped by the brutal Assef in an empty street to protect Amir's kite; the coward Amir witness the assault but does not help the loyal Hassam. On the day after his birthday party, Amir hides his new watch in Hassam's bed to frame the boy as a thief and force his father to fire Ali, releasing his conscience from recalling his cowardice and betrayal. In 1979, the Russians ... Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

There is a way to be good again.

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for strong thematic material including the rape of a child, violence and brief strong language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

| | | |

Release Date:

21 February 2008 (Israel)  »

Also Known As:

Cometas en el cielo  »

Filming Locations:

 »

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Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$471,713, 16 December 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$15,800,078

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$74,180,745
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Author Khaled Hosseini mentions in the commentary that the name on the door "Dr. Amani" is his homage to his medical school roommate. He mentions in the documentary "Words from the Kite Runner" also on the DVD that he, himself, was a practicing physician for eight and a half years before choosing to concentrate on writing after 'The Kite Runner' book became successful. See more »

Goofs

During a 1988 scene in San Francisco, modern-day gas pumps are clearly visible. See more »

Quotes

Baba: There is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft... When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Tosh.0: Prom Girl (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

Tanha Shudam Tanha
Written & Performed by Ahmad Zahir
Courtesy of Shabnam Zahir
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User Reviews

 
And the Oscar goes to ...
16 December 2007 | by – See all my reviews

The Kite Runner should win an Oscar! It's perfect in every sense, the story, the script, the acting, the cinematography... One would never guess it was filmed in China. The story of two childhood friends and what follows in their adult lives will leave a lasting impression. The depiction of life in Afghanistan under the Taliban is all too real and horrifying. I have not read the book, but I have seen comments that put down the movie because "the book is always better"... It doesn't really matter. No one put down "Gone With The Wind" because it wasn't true to the book! As a matter of fact, it won the Academy Award for best picture and several other Oscars. I think this movie is brilliant - BRAVO to the writer and director, and the actors!


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