The Land of the Enlightened

Synopsis

In this seamless blend of fictional and documentary form, we experience a stunning cinematic journey into the beauty of war-tormented Afghanistan. Shot over seven years on evocative 16mm footage, first-time director Pieter-Jan De Pue paints a whimsical yet haunting look at the condition of Afghanistan left for the next generation. De Pue’s transportative and wonderfully crafted film confronts the visceral beauty and roughness of survival, serving as a testament to the spirited innovation of childhood and the extreme resilience of a people and country.

Director Biography

Pieter-Jan De Pue graduated from the visual arts school RITS with his short film 0, which received the third prize at the United Nations Mediterranean Environmental Awards in Almería and special mentions at other festivals. As part of his work on this documentary, he has been traveling for long periods of time to Afghanistan, photographing the country and its people for organizations such as the International Red Cross, Caritas Internationalis, and Demining.