Another Face For Osama; Siddiq Barmak.(Interview)

Byline: Jennifer Barrett

Afghanistan is best known to most folks as the former home of both the Taliban regime and the world's most-wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden. So it's not surprising that the first feature-length film produced there since the fall of the Taliban is called "Osama." But Afghan director Siddiq Barmak's award-winning movie is not about bin Laden--at least not directly. Osama is the name the film's main female character takes when she is forced to pretend she is a boy in order to provide an income for her fatherless household. (The film takes place when the Taliban still ruled Afghanistan, and women and girls were not allowed to work.) Barmak's film has attracted both attention and accolades from around the world--including a special mention at the Cannes Film Festival, best first feature award at the London Film Festival and a Golden Globe award for best foreign picture. NEWSWEEK's Jennifer Barrett spoke with the director about the hopes he has for his film and for his country. Excerpts:

BARRETT: I understand you cast nonprofessional actors from orphanages and refugee camps. Why did you do that?

BARMAK: Because this is a true story, written by me. I wanted to make a natural, realistic film. I worked with them on improvisation. I didn't tell them the whole story, to make them surprised.

How did you choose Marina Golbahari, a street beggar, to play the main character?

I was walking around and I searched among 3,400 to 3,500 girls. I met Marina accidentally just four days before the shooting, so you can imagine, she was so amazing. I was just struck when I saw her. I thought she was the face I really needed in the film. Then I asked her some questions, and I realized how close she was to this character. Her life was so similar. Her father was arrested by the Taliban many times, and her brother was the only member of the family left to feed the family so she was out begging. She was scared to be in the streets because it was forbidden for the girls to be in the street.

Why did you call her character--and the movie--Osama?