Inspired by a true story, Osama was the first film made in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban. After the brutal Taliban regime bans women from working and forbids them to leave their homes without a male escort, a 12-year-old girl and her mother find themselves on the brink of starvation. With nowhere to turn, the mother disguises her daughter as a boy. Using the name Osama, the young girl embarks on a terrifying and confusing journey as she tries to keep the Taliban from discovering her true identity. A screening of the film will be followed by a short video called Afghanistan: Give Peace a Chance, showing recent changes in Afghanistan after decades of war. Human rights activist Rick Halperin, a history prof at Southern Methodist University, will introduce both films at 7 p.m. Thursday in McCord Auditorium of Dallas Hall, 3225 University Blvd. Admission is free. Visit people.smu.edu/sfa/osama.
Thu., Oct. 26, 7 p.m.