ARMY DREAMER (THREE SONGS FOR BENAZIR)

One of the greatest critics of all time, Roger Ebert is often quoted for observing "the movies are like a machine that generates empathy".

That in a nutshell is the best description of cinema's genius as an artform.

Whether it is fictional or factual, film at its best can transport us into lives we have little or no experience of.

Those experiences can range from an astronaut preparing to be launched into space, a writer struggling with cerebral palsy, a soldier in the heat of battle or a slum dweller trying to get by in a harsh world.

It is cinema's ability to give us a flavour of how others live and feel for them as they experience ups and downs that is its most precious quality - especially when a film depicts life in another country.

For Western audiences in particular, it is really valuable when a film gives us a glimpse of life in a country like Afghanistan that we know little about.

For much of our lives, Afghanistan has been depicted on TV as a war torn nation of Muslims that has periodically been ruled under the iron grip of the Taliban.

For 22 minutes, Gulistan and Elizabeth Mirzaei's Oscar nominated documentary short 'Three Songs for Benazir' takes us beyond news images of Afghanis living in fear of Taliban rule.

Shot over a period of four years, it's a real life love story in a shanty town near Kabul populated by Afghanis displaced by the conflict in other parts of the country.

It begins with Shaista serenading his wife Benazir with a song that professes his love for her.

As the documentary progresses, it follows Shaista as he tries to make a living out of selling bricks made out of mud.

It chronicles his pursuit of a dream to fight for his country by joining the Afghan Army.

However it isn't easy realising that dream.

Fearful of what the Taliban might do to the family if Shaista joins and they eventually triumph, his father tries to talk him out of it.

At first he insists Army life is not for Shaista, arguing that his lack of education will result in him being taken advantage of.

His arguments then escalate.

"If you join, the Taliban will chop us to bits" he warns his son.

Much to Shaista's annoyance, his father and brother encourage him to harvest poppies instead for those in the heroin trade, noting it is far easier way to earn a living.

The Mirzaeis then fast forward four years to reveal what has become of Shaista and his beloved Benazir.

It's impossible to watch 'Three Songs for Benazir' and not be reminded of Ebert's observation because the couple do a superb job in such a short space of time engaging our sympathies for Shaista.

Elizabeth and Guristan originally encountered him while volunteering for an NGO in the camp where he lives and were immediately struck by the way he lit up when Benazir was in the room.

Shaista comes across as likeable and sincere, trying to find meaning to his life amid the poverty.

The short film is also striking in the way it documents the suspicions and fears of Shaista and his family.

While his father dreads Taliban rule, his son also casually observes a mini Blimp that hovers over the camp is being used by the "foreign Armies" to spy on its inhabitants.

However the film is at its best in capturing the overwhelming love Shaista has for his wife, as Benazir giggles under her hijab at his songs.

An authentic film that tells an Afghan story from an Afghani perspective, 'Three Songs for Benazir' manages to say more about the country in 22 minutes than most Western documentaries and news bulletins.

It will make you wonder what life is like for Shaista and Benazir now that Afghanistan is back under Taliban rule.

But it will also educate you about what it is like to live there.

Don't overlook it. Do yourself a favour and check it out on Netflix.

('Three Songs for Benazir' was made available for streaming on Netflix on June 2, 2021)