Film Critique: The Kite Runner
Introduction
The Kite Runner is a film following the publication novel by Khaled Hosseini. Marc Foster directed the film in relation to the themes, plot, and characterization of the novel by Khaled. The film was released in 2007. It had great impact on the viewers through various essential and vital awards. These awards include BFCA Critics’ Choice and Satellite Awards for the Best Young actor and original score respectively. The film is based in the California, United States and Afghanistan (Hosseini, 2007). The film displays elements of traditional and contemporary societies through its relevant themes and plot developments. In this research exercise, the focus will be on critical critique of the film in relation to several factors. These factors include storytelling, acting, cinematography, editing, sound, style and directing, genre, impacts, analysis, and themes.
Storytelling
Storytelling is an essential motif in the kite runner. The focus of the film is on the story from Shahnamah reflects an illustration of mistaken identities. This is through the concept of fathers and sons offering support to thematic issues of the relationships thus the development of the heart of the kite runner. Baba declines to read Amir’s short story, but this does not affect the efforts of the protagonist. In the longest minutes in my life, the viewers have the ability to understand the traits of Baba and Amir. There is a reflection of differences and similarities between Amir and Baba in the concept of storytelling. This is vital for the plot and thematic issues thus enabling effective communication with the viewer. Storytelling is also essential in the aspect of characterization since the director can bring-out the character traits of Amir. Through storytelling, it is possible to understand interactions in the settings at Afghanistan and United States. The director implements the concept of storytelling effectively and efficiently thus achieves the targets in the production of the film (Hebert, 2007).
Acting
The plot development of the kite runner relies on effective and fascinating performance or acting. The director has the right choice in the development of characters with the aim of improving and expressing the subject matter/thematic issues. Amir, Baba, and Hassan are real proves of effective implementation of acting concepts with the aim of relaying the subject matter to the viewers. This acting concept enables the viewers to connect with the actors and the film thus efficient interaction between the thematic issues and the audiences. The director achieves his objective in developing the young actors through implication of the friendship between Amir and Hassan. Acting of the film makes it available for access and understanding to all audiences. This acting makes the film interesting because of the inclusion of the children as they transform from the past or traditional culture as reflected in the aspect of Afghanistan to the modern society through the concept of the United States. Foster achieves his objective in the illustration of the thematic issues, plot, and characterization through effecting and quality acting. This is evident through the awards attained by the young actors (Hebert, 2007).
Cinematography
The cinematography applicable in the kite runner is extremely spectacular thus the achievement of the target by the talented Foster in the illustration of the themes and the subject matter. The film applies an effective and brilliant CGI in enabling the kites to fly through sequences thus achievement of the goals and targets by DreamWorks. Through the application of the suspense of disbelief, it is possible for the film to achieve the target of presenting the kites as being real thus enhancing interaction with the viewers. It is also essential to note the essence of the images of the boys of Kabul flying kites. This notion relates to the breathtaking view of the images of the boys from the rooftops. The concept of cinematography makes it difficult for the viewers to note that large portion of the film of the kite runner was filmed in China instead of the intended context of Afghanistan. It is true to note that Afghanistan is main opened to the visitors such as armed forces, but the film demonstrate the setting in the similar context as the real nation as evident in most contents of the international news (Wasowski, 2009).
Editing
Editing perspective of the kite runner is perfect in creation of the settings and the plot. The film is a fictional illustration of the events affecting the traditional and modern societies with reference to the United States and Afghanistan. Despite this aspect, the film is edited into a political, social, and economic background to enhance or facilitate the transmission of thematic issues thus enabling quality interaction with the viewers. The film focuses on the illustration of historical events from the aspect of the Afghan monarchy to the historical events following influence of the Taliban. Editing is effective in capturing the main topics of the film to enhance understanding of the viewers. Editing is also essential in the plot development through illustration of precise demonstration of the settings of the film (Wasowski, 2009).
Sound
Focusing on the soundtrack, the kite runner film reflects a first rate release or production. This is through exceptional sound quality in association with the aspect of excellent performance and acting. The film provides the viewers with original and traditional music that is very clear thus an effective and efficient approach in the demonstration of the subject matter, characterization, and development of the themes. Interactions are very clear and precise thus the ability to illustrate perfect soundtracks in relaying the information to the target audiences. This is through quality integration of music into the plot (Hebert, 2007).
Style and Directing
It is easier to shower director Foster with overwhelming praise because of implementation effectively styles in the settings and plot of the film. Through his effective and efficient direction, it is possible to understand the context and thematic issues of the film. It is also difficult to know that majority portion of the film is in China rather than Afghanistan. Integration of storytelling, irony, and suspense is also an essential aspect of direction by Foster with the aim of achieving his targets with reference to quality interaction with the viewers. It is also essential to note quality integration of soundtracks, cinematography, editing, and characterization in the development of such an emphatic film as the kite runner. His direction ability is also evident in incorporation of young actors in the role of Amir and Hassan with the aim of enhancing transmission of the themes and subject matter to the target audiences (Wasowski, 2009).
Impact of society on the film and vice versa
The Kite Runner has great impact on the society. It is also experience influence of the society in relation to its themes and subject matter. Gender imbalance with the society is one of the essential factors in relation to the plot development of the kite runner. This is through clear indication of the roles and societal expectations of the male and female society members. Political influence is also another critical factor in the plot and settings development for the realization of the targets of the film. This is because the film integrates political and historical events in Afghanistan monarchy in 1970 up to aspects of post-Taliban. The situation in Afghanistan contributes to the plot development thus great influence in the creation and direction of the film the kite runner.
The Kite Runner has some impacts with reference to the development of the society. The film reflects empowerment to the individuals from the traditional bonds. Through the film, it is evident that Amir has the opportunity to choose his path concerning career development. This makes it vital for the society to achieve its targets thus freeing individuals from traditional obligations and expectations. Women also realize empowerment through direction and acting of the film. In the traditional Afghanistan, women had minimal role to play in the development of the society. This is through execution of home chores such as caring for the husband and children. The film focuses on the transformation of perspectives of the society in relation to women and children. This is evident through the direction of the film and integration of characters such as Amir, Hassan, and Saroya. The film is an effective motivational tool to the children with reference to pursuit of their professional and personal goals.
Genre
The Kite Runner is a drama film with the aim of relaying nature of life and interaction in the contexts of the United States and Afghanistan. It is an interaction or drama between sons, fathers, and women within the society aiming to demonstrate the level and mode of communication and expectations in the traditional and modern societies. The film is fictional based on the novel the kite runner by Khaled Hosseini.
Application of at least one approach to analysis and interpretation
One of the approaches in the analysis and interpretation of the kite runner film is feminism or gender approach. This focuses on the illustration of gender equity, imbalance, roles, and expectations through the themes and subject matter of the film. Through the film, it is applicable and efficient in understanding the role of women and men within the society. The director display men from the traditional perspective. For instance, Baba is physical and executes the role of men in the society such as provision of security, protection, and basic needs to his family. This is an indication of the roles by men in the traditional society. This makes Baba view Amir as weak thus differentiation of the modern from the traditional society. Women have the role to care for their children, husbands, and execute household chores. In addition to this, they also have the obligation to develop quality reputation for their families. This is evident through the respect attained by Amir’s mother by illustration of admirable reputation thus a role model to most women in the society (Lennon, 2008).
There is also discrimination against women in the society. This is because of the lack of equal opportunities in comparison to their male counterparts. This is evident when Amir’s wife complains about the level of criticism she receives because of her sexual life before marriage. She indicates that most men get away with such actions while women undergo inadequate and inappropriate subjection to criticism for similar actions. This is a reflection of gender inequality in relation to the direction and style of the film. These illustrations indicate that the director focuses on the demonstration of gendered texts with the aim of enhancing understanding and grasping of the content by the viewers (Lennon, 2008).
Overall textual themes
The film focuses on demonstration and illustration of various themes. One of the essential themes of the film focuses on the illustration of the concept of redemption. The main character in the film is Amir who seeks to redeem himself. His intentions contribute towards the development of the heart and plot of the film. Amir feels that he is responsible for the death of his mother thus seeks to redeem himself in the eyes of Baba. This makes him want to win the kite fight and take the losing kite to his father. These events are inciting thus contributes to the development of the rest of the film. The most important aspect of redemption is evident through the guilt Amir feels for Hassan. This guilt contributes to the plot development thus initiates his movement or journey in search of redemption. As boy, Amir lacks the capacity to stand for himself. This makes it critical to succeed as a man thus realization of the theme of redemption (Clark et el, 2003).
Another essence of thematic issue in the film is the illustration of love and tension existing between fathers and their sons in the development of the story. There is a complex relationship between Amir and Baba. Amir is willing to do anything in order to win Baba’s love thus; he decides to ignore Hassan’s rape. Baba, on the other hand, is hard on Amir and shows some love to Hassan as his son. This development creates tension and love between fathers and sons thus quality plot development and settings of the drama. There is also massive persistence of the traditional society in the plot development. Most of the parents in the film experience impacts of the past especially Amir and Sohrab. This exists to the extent that the past results into influencing individuals’ behavior in the film. The past is always with Amir. This is evident when he acknowledges that he became who he is at the age of twelve. The film notes that it is difficult to bury the past thus its influence in the plot development (Lennon, 2008).
Conclusion
Marc Foster achieves most of his goals and targets in the development and direction of the film under the influence of the kite runner novel. This is evident through spectacular cinematography, quality soundtrack, effective editing, fascinating acting, and appropriate choice of characters and settings for the development of the film. The film has great impact on the society. This complements the role of the society in its development through integration of political, economic, and social aspects. The director achieves his goals in the demonstration of critical themes such as past connections, redemptions, love, and tension among the characters in the development of the film. These qualities continue to make the film a massive production through its connection with the viewers.
References
Wasowski, R. (2009). CliffsNotes on Hosseini’s The kite runner. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Pub.
Hosseini, K. (2007). The kite runner. Toronto: Seal Books.
Herbert, M. (2007). Bookclub-in-a-box presents the discussion companion for Khaled Hosseini’s novel The kite runner. United States: Bookclub-in-a-box.
Lennon, G. (2008, Afghan chronicles. Resource Links, 13, 50-50. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215235595?accountid=35812
Clark, R., Guilmain, J., Paul, K. S., & Tavarez, J. (2003). Two steps forward, one step back: The presence of female characters and gender stereotyping in award-winning picture books between the 1930s and the 1960s. Sex Roles, 49(9), 439-449. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/225368411?accountid=35812
