Stray Dogs

Colour, 35 mm
Iran, 2004, 93 min
Section: Forum of Independents

Synopsis

Two children – a brother and a sister – rescue a stray dog on the streets of Kabul in Afghanistan. That evening they visit the prison where their mother is a prisoner. Since her children have nowhere to live, they are permitted to stay with her at night. But the following morning, they are thrown out: prison is for criminals, not homeless children. Desperate to return, brother and sister embark upon a series of failed robberies. A fugitive tells them they can learn to steal from watching Hollywood movies. Alternatively, European cinema can teach them how to get caught. The story, inspired by the reality of post-war Afghanistan, was shot in real locations with a non-professional cast. 

About the director

Marziyeh Meshkini (Teheran, 1969) studied cinema at Makhmalbaf’s film school from 1996 to 2001. She has been assistant director to both Mohsen and Samira Makhmalbaf. In 2000 her film Roozi khe zan shodam (The Day I Became A Woman) was screened at Venice and won the CinemAvvenire prize, as well as prizes at other film festivals around the world.