The Kite Runner is a film based on a gripping novel by the Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini.
It tells the story of Amir, a boy from Kabul, who is haunted by the guilt of betraying his childhood friend. Betrayal is but one of the themes running like a thread through this film.
In this story betrayal is seen as the willful slaughter of hope. The issue of betrayal reminds one of a famous quote by English novelist E.M. Forster who said “I hate the idea of causes, and if I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country”.
The story is set against a backdrop of turbulant events, from the Soviet invasion, to the rise of the Taliban regime.
Amir, a well-to-do Pashtun boy, and his friend Hassan, a Hazara and the son of Amir's father's servant, Ali, spend their days in a peaceful Kabul, kite fighting, and just being boys.
Assef, a violent older boy blames Amir for befriending someone according to Assef from "an inferior race". He prepares to attack Amir, but Hassan bravely stands up to him. Assef backs off, but swears revenge. I do not want spoil the story for you and recommend you visit your local dvd or book store.

The film has it’s humorous moments taken from the book. It also grabs you as it humanises the effects of war, providing painful images of stonings, rape and other senseless acts.
In one scene the viewer is shocked with images of a sobbing woman being hit by rocks.
In another scene the viewer sees kites fly like little bomber planes above Kabul – a clever reference indeed.
The book is about finding small joy in unlikely places and the power of redemption through doing right in a world gone badly wrong.
The film does leave one's faith in humanity heavily dented and one wonders whether the ending is a happy one or just consolation in having to count one's blessings.