THE KITE RUNNER It will come this way.

- How do you know?

- I know.
San Francisco, California But how?
- You ready? Have I ever lied to you?
- Yeah. Let's go. How should I know?
- Is that what I think it is? I'd rather eat dirt.
- I think so. Would you really do that?
- You nervous? - Do what?
- As long as they spelled my name right. - Eat dirt if I told you to.
- You want a moment alone with it? If you asked, I would.
- I want you right here with me. But would you really ask me to do
There it is. such a thing?
There it is. Are you crazy?
Your baby. You know I wouldn't.
I'll get it. I know.
Hello?
Hello?
Thank you, Agha sahib.
Amirjan. I want them to start building tomorrow.
Rahim Khan? This should have happened a long time
It is kind of you to remember. ago.
I have missed you, Amir jan. Absolutely, Sahib!
It's good to hear your voice. And thank you.
You should come home.
Home?
I don't know if now's such a good time. The orphans of Kabul will never forget
It's a very bad time, but you should you.
come. Somehow
There is a way to be good again, Amir. I suspect they will.
You know the bureaucrats will steal half
the money.
Kabul, Afghanistan Only half?
Take the spool. Hold it right. They've gotten lazy.
Give me string!
Hold the spool right.
- I cut him! Hey, Mister Jaylawni
- Victory! Conjure up the winds for me
Victory! You could have beaten him.
This way! Me? Weren't you watching Omar back
Where are you going? there?
Catch it, it's going this way! He never loses.
We're losing it! If you have the right kite, you'll win the
Trust me! tournament this year.
What are you doing here? With the victory of Saur Revolution for
Come sit, Amir. the first time in the history of this
country the political sovereignty
and political power have been bestowed
You're wasting time here. upon the Democratic Party of the People
The kite went the other way. of Afghanistan.
This will get bloody before it gets better.
Usually a safe bet.
They say the Communists are starting
brawls at the university.
A student was stabbed last week.
I'm glad Amir's too young to be
involved in all this.
Amir?
Trust me, he won't be getting into any
brawls.
Sometimes I see him playing on the
street with the neighbourhood boys.
They push him around, take his toys
from him, but Amir, he never fights
back. Never.
So he's not violent.
You know what happens when the other
kids tease him?
Hassan steps in and fends them off.
And when they come home,
I say to him, "How did Hassan
get that scrape on his face?"
He says, "He fell down."
There's something missing in that boy.
My friend, children aren't colouring
books. You don't get to fill them
with your favourite colours. He's not
like you. He'll never be like you.
But watch. He'll turn out well.
A boy who won't stand up for himself,
becomes a man who won't stand up for
anything.
Amir jan, may I come in? I wanted to
say goodbye. I'm going to Pakistan
tomorrow. That's a fine kite.
Hassan ran it down.
The boy's got a gift.
What are you working on?
A story.
May I read it?
It's not very good.
All the same, I'd love to read it. Thank
you, Amir jan.
I'll read it tonight.
He hates me because I killed her. My
mother.
Amir, don't ever say such a thing. Don't
ever think it.
But it's true.
No, Amir jan. It's a dangerous thing,
being born. Dangerous for the mother,
dangerous for the child. Your father
would die for you. You know that, don't
you?
Amir jan.
- Come on, do it.
- It's wrong, Amir agha.
Do you have to be so holy all the time?
Just one?
Just one.
You'd think one day he'd wise up. You
got your allowance?
Yeah, how about we see The
Magnificent Seven again?
We deal in lead, friend!
I'm a friend of Harry Luck's. He tells me
you're broke. No. I'm doing this because
I'm an eccentric millionaire.
There's a job for six men watching over
a village just south of the border.
How big's the opposition?
Thirty guns.
I admire your notion of fair odds, mister.
I admire your notion of fair odds, mister.
Harry tells me you faced bigger odds
in the Travis County War.
- Who's your favourite?
- Steve McQueen.
I like Charles Bronson.
Maybe someday we'll go to Iran.
Why?
Maybe we'd see him somewhere.
I could get his autograph.
- Charles Bronson's not Iranian.
- He's not?
So why does he speak Farsi with an
Iranian accent?
Where are you going, faggots?
What do you boys think:
If I paid you to be my friends, would
you really be my friends? Or would you
be my servants?
Gee, Assef, if you were paying us,
that would make us your servants!
So I guess Amir has no friends.
We're not bothering you.
Wrong.
You are bothering me.
Afghanistan is the land of the Pashtuns.
We're the real Afghans.
Not this flat-nose Hazara.
His people pollute our homeland. They
dirty our blood.
If idiots like you and your father didn't
take these people in, we'd be rid of them.
Please leave us alone, Agha.
Put it down, you motherless Hazara.
Leave us in peace.
Maybe you didn't notice, but there are
three of us, and two of you. And maybe
you didn't notice that I'm the one
holding the slingshot. Forget it. We'll
deal with these faggots later.
- What's this?
- Rahim Khan left it for you.
He liked it.
Liked what?
My story!
Well of course he liked it. You tell great
stories.
"Bravo," he wrote. Bravo!
Bravo?
Do you know what "bravo" means?
It's Italian for genius.
What's the story about?
It's about a man who finds a magic cup.
And he learns that if he weeps into the
cup, his tears turn to pearls. He's very
poor, you know? And, at the end of the
story, he's sitting on a mountain of
pearls with a bloody knife in his hand
and his dead wife in his arms.
- So he killed her?
- Yes, Hassan.
So that he'd cry and get rich.
Yes, you're very quick.
What?
Nothing, Amir agha.
Are you done with breakfast?
What?
Well, will you permit me
to ask a question about the story?
Of course.
Why did the man have to kill his wife?
Because each of his tears becomes a
pearl.
Yes, but why couldn't he just smell an
onion?
The mullahs at school say drinking is a
sin. They say drinkers will pay
when the Reckoning comes.
Do you want to know what your father
thinks about sin?
Yes.
Then I'll tell you. But first understand
this and understand it now: You'll never
learn anything of value from those
bearded idiots.
You mean the mullahs?
I piss on the beards of those self-
righteous monkeys.
They do nothing but thumb their prayer
beads and recite a book written in a
tongue they don't even understand.
There is only one sin. And that is theft.
Every other sin is a variation of theft.
Do you understand that?
No, Baba jan.
When you kill a man,you steal a life.
You steal his wife's right
to her husband, his children's right to a
father. When you tell a lie, you steal
someone's right to the truth.
There is no act more wretched than
stealing. Do you see?
Yes, Baba.
Good.
All this talk of sinning is making me
thirsty.
Hassan! Hassan!
Go, he's calling you.
Happy Birthday. It's made in America.I I know. You come here too often.
figured, if you're going to be my The tournament's tomorrow?
bodyguard, you need a proper weapon. Are you and Hassan ready?
Thank you, Amir agha. We've been practising.
Come on, let's go. Did I ever tell you about the year I won?
What does it say? I'm fairly sure you told everyone in
Amir and Hassan, the Sultans of Kabul. Kabul about the year you won.
The Sultans of Kabul! Fourteen kites I cut down.
You want a story? I think that's still a record.
Rostam and Sohrab. Yes, yes, yes. Eat.
Not them again. I think you're going to make Agha sahib
I've read you that one fifty times. very proud today.
How about Rudabeh? You think so?
It's your book, Amir agha. Inshallah.
All right, Rostam and Sohrab. It's your Inshallah.
birthday.
It's really crowded.
Your dad got a new car? I'm not sure it's the best day to fly a kite.
Isn't that the car they drive in Bullitt? Why?
Steve McQueen! It's a beautiful day.
I heard it was someone's birthday. It's It's the two of us against all of Kabul.
your day, Hassan. Why don't you sit up I admire your notion of fair odds, mister.
front?Are you ready for your birthday Let's fly.
present? Put down the spool.
- Is it a drawing book? Take it!
- Better! Take it from under.
- A toy gun? Okay, I'm under.
- Better! We cut him! We cut him!

Uncle Saifo! Amir agha!

My brother! Go a little to your right.
It's been too long. We cut him! We cut him!
Everyone good? They could break your record.
It's his birthday, he can have any Let's see.
kite he wants. Hold the spool right.
Here they are. Take him, Omar!
Take your pick. Omar! Omar! Omar!
I want that one. Omar!
We'll take it. I cut him!
A good choice. Victory! Victory!
I was just lucky that time. - How many has he cut?
It wasn't luck, Amir agha. - I've counted twelve.
You're better than him. I think he wants Baba's record.
I know you're going to win. We can't let that happen.
You have too much faith in me.\ Last one, Omar agha.
Pull your string forward.
Ali made the cauliflower Cut him!
especially for you. It's just the two of them now.
Yes. Every time I come, he makes the Bravo, Amir agha!
cauliflower. You cut him!
We won! We won!
Amir, I'm going to run that blue kite for
you.
Hassan! Come back with it!
For you, a thousand times over!
What am I supposed to do with this?
You're the reason I got cut!
Have you seen a Hazara boy come this
way? Wearing a red chapan.
I saw a boy running that way. He had a
kite in his hand.
- They've probably caught him by now.
- Who?
The big boys chasing him.
Where's your slingshot, Hazara? You
don't look so brave today. But I'm in a
mood to forgive. What do you say to
that, boys?
Very generous.
Especially after the
rude manners he showed last time.
Forgiven. It's done.
Of course, nothing is free in this world.
My pardon comes with a small price.
Nothing is free. You're a lucky Hazara.
Because, today, it's only going to cost
you that kite.
Fair deal.
- What do you think, boys?
- More than fair.
Amir agha won the tournament and I ran
this kite for him.
This is his. Loyal Hazara. Loyal dog.
Before you sacrifice yourself for him,
think about this, Hazara: Would he do
the same for you? Have you ever
wondered why he only plays with you
when no one else is around?
I said, "Why," Hazara!
Because, to him, you're nothing but an
ugly pet. Something he can play with
when he's bored. Something he can kick
when he's angry.
Amir agha and I are friends.
Friends?
You fool. Enough of this. Give us the
kite. Last chance.
As you wish. Keep it.
So it will always remind you of what I'm
about to do to you. Nothing is free.
He's just a servant's son.
I'm not sure, Assef.
My father says it's wrong.
Your father's a Communist.
And there's nothing wrong about
teaching this donkey a lesson.
Just hold him down.
Let's get out of here.
Where were you? I was looking for you.
Let's go, Agha sahib will worry.
Good job.
Come here.
Well done.
Where's Hassan?
He went back to sleep. The last few
weeks, all he wants to do is sleep. After
chores he just crawls under his blanket.
Can I ask you something? Did
something happen, Amir agha?
Something he's not telling me?
How should I know? Maybe he's sick.
People get sick, you know.
The mullahs want to rule our souls and
the Communists tell us we don't have
any.
More importantly, El Cid is playing.
We could go tomorrow.
Tell Hassan to come with us?
He's not feeling well.
Really? What's wrong with him?
He's got a cold or something.
Ali says he's sleeping it off.
I haven't seen you two playing together
in weeks.
What happened?
Nothing. He's just been a little sick.
Hassan never gets sick. Whatever's
going on, you should deal with it before
too long. Take care not to let these
things fester. Time will only make it
worse.
What are you reading?
It's for little kids. I just... I'm trying to Amir.
learn. Happy birthday, Amir jan.
I'd rather hear one of your stories. Happy birthday.
I'm done making up stories. - What a splendid suit.
Why? - Great party, Amir.
Because they're stupid.
I don't think they're stupid. Aren't you going to thank Assef?
I love your stories. Thank you.
What would you do if I hit you with Please, enjoy.
this? Amir jan.
What would you do? Hit me back! Hit Shouldn't you be entertaining your
me back! Hit me back! Hit me back. guests?
You're a coward. I didn't know you drank.
Blood's good for the trees. Turns out I do.
But only on the most important
Come on, birthday boy. Let's go inside. occasions.
Ali, is everything ready? You know you can tell me anything you
Don't worry, it will be soon. want. Anytime.
- Move it back a little. I know.
- Yes, of course. Here, I almost forgot.
Have you ever thought about getting For your stories.
new servants? Come. You're missing your party.
Why would I want to do that?
I guess you wouldn't. It was just a Baba.
question. Have you seen my watch anywhere?
I grew up with Ali. My father took him The one I just bought you?
in, loved him like his own son. Forty Don't tell me you already lost it.
years he's been with my family. Forty No. I know I had it in my room. I'm sure
goddamn years.And you think I'm just it'll turn up somewhere.
going to throw him out? I've never laid a
hand on you, but you ever say that What's wrong?
again...You bring me shame. And, Ali. When you finish your work,
Hassan... Hassan's not going anywhere. come inside with Hassan.
Do you understand? I said, do you Yes, Agha sahib.
understand? Did you steal Amir's watch, Hassan?
Yes, Baba. Yes.
You bring me shame. I forgive you.
We're leaving, Agha sahib.
Massoud jan, how are you? What?
- Welcome. We can't live here any more.
- Happy birthday. But I forgive him. Didn't you hear me,
Welcome. Ali?
Hello, Amir jan. Happy birthday. Life here is impossible for us now, Agha
Hello, Amir jan. How are you? sahib. We're leaving.
It is modest and not worthy of you. I don't care about the watch. I don't
Happy birthday. understand why you're doing this.
Hassan said your copy was getting old, I'm sorry, Agha sahib, but our bags are
missing some pages. already packed. We've made our
Thank you. decision.
Ali. Haven't I provided for you? Haven't
I been good to you and Hassan? At least
tell me why. I forbid you to do this! Do
you hear me?I forbid you!
Respectfully, you can't
forbid me anything, Agha sahib. We
don't work for you any more.
Soviet Invasion December
Pack a bag. Only what you need.
Hurry up!
- They'll come for me.
- We don't know that.
Read your history, my friend. By the
time we know it, it will be too late.
You know how I am.
You know how I talk.
Everyone in Kabul has heard me cursing
the Communists.
Will you watch over the house for me?
We'll be back when the Russians leave.
What if they don't leave?
Everyone leaves.
This country is not kind to invaders.
And you, my friend? Where will you
go?
Pakistan, first.
After that, wherever is safest for the boy.
The smugglers want five thousand a
head for safe passage to Pakistan.
I'm fairly sure they won't take cheques.
What about a Mustang?
He wants a half hour with the lady in the
back of the truck.
What?
No.
Brother.
Please ask mister soldier sahib
to show a little mercy.
Maybe he has a wife, too.
It's his price for letting us pass.
I want you to ask this man something.
Ask him where his shame is.
He says, there is no shame in war.
Tell him he is wrong.
War doesn't negate decency.
What did he say?
He says he'd enjoy putting a bullet in
you, almost as much as he'd enjoy her.
I'll take a thousand of his bullets
before I let this indecency take place.
- Baba, please, he'll shoot you.
- Have I taught you nothing?
Tell him he'd better kill me good with
the first shot.
Because if I don't go down, I'm tearing
him to pieces, goddamn his father!
You are very kind.
It's not worthy of a thank you.
Get out. Come on, get out.
Keep it moving. Keep it moving.
Why did you stop?
We can't get you across the border in
that truck.
We don't have enough money for all the
Russians.
- So what are we doing?
- Go climb into that vehicle.
You're joking.
Your choice, Agha sahib.
Climb up quickly.
Turn around and go down.
I'm with you. Go.
You see it?
Yes.
Don't be afraid.
I'm right here with you.
I can't breathe, Baba.
Think of something else. Think of a
poem.
Rumi?
You've memorised some, haven't you?
I want to hear one.
"If we come to sleep we are His drowsy
ones
"And if we come to wake
we are in His hands"
Keep going.
"If we come to weeping
we are His cloud full of raindrops
"And if we come to laughing
we are His lightning in that moment"
Good job.
"If we come to anger and battle
it is the reflection of His wrath
"And if we come to peace and pardon
it is the reflection of His love
"Who are we in this complicated Cheers. My son, he graduates college
world?" today.
Fremont, California
A pack of those.
- Is that your car? - Way to go, man. Congratulations.
- Yeah. - Thank you.
- Beautiful car. Fuck the Russia!
- Thanks. - Fuck the Russia!
- Fuck Russia.
I wish Hassan had been with us today.
Richard Hidalgo. This would make him happy.
Erin Hill. - Four, so that's $6.
Denise Hawking. - Okay.
Damon Hooper.
June Kitagawa. Amir jan. This is General Sahib, Mr
- Hi. lqbal Taheri. He was a decorated general
- Hello. in Kabul.
- Tonight I'm very happy. Such a lofty introduction.
- Well, that's good. - Salaam, my child.
- Tonight I drink with my son. - Salaam, General Sahib.
- Hi. Amir is going to be a great writer.
It is God's will.
How are you, my friend? Will you be writing about our country?
Let's have a drink with us. History, perhaps?
- What you like to drink? I write fiction.
- Scotch. A storyteller.
- Three Scotch, please. Well, people do need their stories to
- I'll have a beer instead. Thanks. divert them occasionally.
- Budweiser? - Father, you forgot your tea.
- Sure. - You are too kind, my dear.
Please. My daughter, Soraya jan.
My son, the college graduate. Well, time to go set up.
- It's just community college. Best of luck with the writing.
- It's college. - Until later.
And someday, Dr. Amir! - Goodbye.
- You know I want to write. What?
- Write? She has made an impression on you?
I don't want to be a doctor. Please, Baba.
Cheers.
One more, sir. What are you writing?
So instead of being doctorand saving A story.
lives, he wants make up stories. Write well.
And for money, you can work - How much?
at the gas station with me. - $160.
We'll put your diploma on the wall. Not bad.
Whatever you think. - You want a Coke?
Beautiful! Beautiful shot! - Sure. Be careful.
You see that shot? Of what?
A pitcher of beer for gentlemen, please. The General is a Pashtun to the root.
He has honour and pride.
I was only going to get us Cokes. Here, everyone is a storyteller.
Just don't embarrass me. Do pass my respects to your father.
Yes, of course.
That's all I ask.
I won't.
- For your granddaughter?
- Hi. - My granddaughter.
- Hi. - Impossible.
- Is General Sahib here today? - Thank you very much.
- Yeah, he went that way. Here you go. Thank You.
Will you tell him that I stopped by - Have a good day.
to pay my respects? - You're welcome.
I will. Amir.
Thank you. Oh, and my name's Amir. What's wrong?
In case you need to know, so you can Nothing.
tell him that I stopped by. The General?
To pay my respects. You okay?
- I'll go now. Sorry to disturb you. You all right?
- Oh, no, no, you didn't. Have you been coughing?
Good. Yes.
Can I ask what you're reading? Where are you from?
Have you read it? I grew up in Michigan.
It's a sad story. Came out here for medical school.
I heard you write. Once you get used to that California
Would you like to read one of my sunshine...
stories? - But your family?
I'd like that. - My family.
Great. We're originally from Russia.
I'm sorry.
- How much for this? - How are you feeling?
- $5. - The same.
- I'll give you three. We have your results back.
- Okay. Wait outside for me.
Thank you. "The citizens of Kabul were skeletons
now, skeletons selling naswar
- You're not much of a haggler. in the night market, skeletons drinking
- I know. cups of strong tea, skeletons playing
I brought you something. cards in the moonlight. They greeted me
- You remembered. as I passed, teeth clacking together in
- Of course. their jaws. 'Salaam, brother', they said.
Our aspiring storyteller. "Welcome home."
What a pleasure. It's sort of a work in progress.
They say it will rain this week. It's called The Sultans of Kabul.
Hard to believe, isn't it? Good title.
You know, child, I've grown rather fond Keep going.
of you. That's the end.
You're a decent boy. That's not an ending.
But, sometimes, even decent boys need It's my story.
reminding. So it's my duty to remind I get to end it how I want.
you that you are among peers. I'm tired of these machines.
Tomorrow I want you to take me home. Go home.
But Dr Amani said... I'll call you in an hour.
Okay. Good luck.

It's not Dr Amani's decision.

How are you, my friend? Hello?
You shouldn't have burdened The General accepted.
yourselves. - He accepted?
It's no burden. - Yes, he accepted.
No burden at all. But Soraya jan wants to talk to you first.
If you need anything,ask me like you'd - About what?
ask a brother. - About what?
Your coming here has brightened my How do I know about what?
eyes. She wants to talk to you.
What about you, Amir jan? Okay. Okay. I'm on my way.
Do you need anything?
No, thank you, General Sahib. How are you?
Excuse me. Come inside and have some tea.
Thank you. He didn't come for tea.
Those are beautiful flowers. It doesn't matter, we're going out for a
I'm really sorry. walk.
You better go back inside or your father You do want to get married?
will come after me. - To me, I mean.
Your story made me cry. - Of course I do.
You read it? It's just... I want to tell you something,
Our secret? something you need to know. I don't
Yeah. Our secret. want us to start with secrets. We lived in
Virginia before we came here. We left
Can I do anything else for you? because I ran away with an Afghan man.
No, child. Thank you. I was 18. I guess I thought I was being
Then I wonder if you'd do something for rebellious. We lived together for almost
me. a month. All the Afghans in Virginia
I want you to go khastegari. were talking about it. My father
I want you to ask General Taheri for his eventually found us. He showed up at
daughter's hand. the door and he made me come home.
Are you sure? I was hysterical, and I told him I hated
More sure than I've ever been about him. We moved out to California
anything. a few weeks later. I didn't talk to my
Then give me the phone and my address father for a very long time. And now...
book. Now I feel like he's the reason why I'm
Now? here. Does what I told you bother you?
Then when? A little.
Yes, much better. Does it bother you enough to change
It was gracious of you to come. your mind?
I called to ask, if you have time, if I may No.
pay you a visit tomorrow morning. Not even close. I'd marry you tonight if I
It's an honourable matter. could.
Nine o'clock?
That's just fine. What do you see?
Until then. The rest of my life.
- They're so funny.
- They were crazy.
That's a funny picture.
They're so cute.
- Amir jan?
- Right here, Baba.
Help me to bed.
Of course.
I'll come back with your morphine
and a glass of water.
No.
There is no pain tonight.
Come here, my daughter.
San Francisco
It will not be easy.
But you must come, Amir.
All right.
You're a good man.
God willing.
Goodbye.
You all right?
I have to go to Pakistan.
Pakistan?
Rahim Khan is very sick.
Your father's friend?
Is it safe right now?
What about the book tour?
There wouldn't be any books
if not for Rahim Khan.
Peshawar, Pakistan
It's terrible what's happening
in your country.
Afghani people and Pakistani people,
they are like brothers.
Muslim have to help Muslim.
They call this area Afghan Town.
Sometimes it feels like Peshawar
is a suburb of Kabul.
This way.
Amir jan.
Amir jan.
Welcome, welcome.
You've become a man.
General Taheri's daughter.
She's a beauty.
Any children?
We tried, but it doesn't seem possible for
us.
Thank you.
How long have you been in Pakistan?
Less than a year.
Kabul is no longer safe for me.
The Taliban are as bad as they say?
Oh, worse.
Much worse.
They don't let you be human.
They even banned kite flying.
I have something for you.
What's this?
Look.
"For Rahim Khan, who listened to my
stories
"before I knew how to write them."
This is a great honour, Amir.
Let me take you home with me.
I can find you a good doctor.
They're coming up with new treatments
all the time.
Amir, Amir, Amir.
I see America has infused you with her
optimism.
But there is such a thing as God's will.
Come, sit.
I didn't bring you hereto complain about
my health.
Forgive me, Amir jan. Forgive me for
what I have to tell you. Hassan is dead.
How?
You know I watched over your father's
house after you left. But none of the
caretakers I hired lasted more than a
year. Some were dishonest, some lazy.
So a few years ago I went to Hazarajat
and brought Hassan and his family home
with me. His wife, Farzana, and his son,
Sohrab.
Rostam and Sohrab
It was so good to have them there.
Hassan kept the house from falling
apart.
And Farzana cooked the meals. It was
good. Very good. But when my health
began to fail, well, there isn't a hospital
in Afghanistan that can help me, so I
came here. A few weeks after I left,
the Taliban came to the house.
Hassan told them that he was looking
after the house for me, but...
They said that he was a liar and a thief
like all the other Hazaras.
And they ordered him to leave
with his family by nightfall.
Hassan wouldn't leave.
So they took him to the street
and ordered him to kneel and shot him
in the back of the head. Farzana came
screaming and attacked them and...
They shot her, too.
And the boy?
Sohrab?
He is in an orphanage in Karteh Seh.
Hassan sent this to me a week
before he died. It's for you.
He taught himself to read and write.
He didn't want to send you a letter
until he could do it properly.
Amir, you need to go back to Kabul.
I've arranged for a driver. He's a good
man.
I can't go back to Kabul.
Can't you pay someone here to go?
I'll pay for it if it's a matter of money.
It's not about money.
You are a storyteller.
Some part of you has always known this
story.
Ali's first wife was from Jaghori.
What does that have to do with
anything?
After five years she left him childless,
and married a man from Khost.
She bore that man three daughters.
Do you understand what I'm trying to
tell you?
Ali was sterile.
But he had Hassan.
He raised Hassan. He didn't father him.
Your father loved you both
because you were both his sons,
- and Sohrab...
- No.
He's your nephew.
I don't believe you.
You do.
That's what frightens you.
You're saying my father, for all those
years, lied to me.
Please think.
All that a man had back then
was his honour, his name, and if people
talked...
- He lied to me.
- He lied to both of you.
And now there is a way
to be good again.
"In the name of God,
the merciful, the compassionate, Amir
agha, with my deepest respects.
My wife and son and I
pray this letter finds you in fine health,
and in the light of God's good graces.
I'm hopeful that one day I will hold
one of your letters in my hands and read
of your life in America. I am trying to
learn English. It's such a tricky
language.
But one day, agha. I miss your stories.
I've included a picture of me and my
son, Sohrab.
He's a good boy.
Rahim Khan and I taught him how to
read and write, so he doesn't grow up
stupid like his father. And can he shoot
with that slingshot you gave me!
But I fear for him, Amir agha. The
Afghanistan of our youth is long dead.
Kindness is gone from the land, and you
cannot escape the killings. Always the
killings. I dream that God will guide us
to a better day. I dream that my son will
grow up to be a good person, a free
person, an important person. I dream
that flowers will bloom in the streets of
Kabul again, and music will play
in the samovar houses, and kites will fly
in the skies. And I dream that someday
you will return to Kabul to revisit the
land of our childhood. If you do, you'll
find an old faithful friend waiting for
you.
May God be with you always.
Hassan.
Hello?
Hi.
- Did I wake you up?
- No.
You all right?
I have to tell you a story.
What's his name?
Stop playing with it.
I really have to wear it?
You know what the Taliban will do to
you if they see you are clean-shaven?
So what brings you back
to Afghanistan?
Come to sell off your father's land,
pocket the money?
I'm not here to sell anything.
I'm going to Kabul to find a boy.
A boy?
This boy?
This Hazara boy?
Yeah.
What he means to you?
His father meant a lot to me.
He's the man in the photo.
He's dead now.
It was a friend of yours?
He was my brother.
I feel like a tourist in my own country.
You've always been a tourist here.
You just didn't know it.
- What happened to the trees?
- The Russians chopped them down.
You know what they're doing?
He's selling his leg?
He can get good money for it.
Feed your kids for a couple of weeks.
- What's that smell?
- Diesel.
The power's always going off
so people use generators.
Do you remember what this street
smelled like in the old days?
Lamb kabob.
Beard patrol.
What's the matter with you?
What?
Don't you ever stare at them!
Understand me?
Never!
We're looking for this boy.
I'm sorry.
I've never seen him.
You barely looked at the picture, my
friend.
I know all the children here and that one
doesn't look familiar.
And now, if you'll permit me...
We don't mean him any harm.
I told you he's not here.
- Now, please, go away.
- Friend, we are not with the Taliban.
The man wants to take this boy to a safe
place.
I knew Sohrab's father.
His name was Hassan.
There's hope for this boy, Agha.
A way out.
I can take him back to America with me.
I'm his uncle.
What I have to tell you is not pleasant.
I tell you, because I believe you.
You have the look of desperate men.
There is a Talib official.
He visits every month or two.
He brings cash with him.
Not a lot, but better than nothing.
Usually, he takes a girl.
But not always.
And you allow this?
What choice do I have?
You're the director here.
Your job is to watch over these children.
There is nothing I can do.
- You're selling children!
- Easy.
You're here to protect them!
Yes,
I am here to protect them.
Sit.
And you, brother?
You come here to rescue a boy, take him We listen to what God says,
back to America, give him a good life. and we obey.
It must seem heroic, huh?
But what of the other two hundred
children? And what does God say?
You'll never see them again.

Every sinner must be punished

You'll never hear them in a manner befitting his sin.
howling in the night.
I spent my life savings
on this orphanage. Those are not my words,
Everything I owned or inherited nor the words of my brothers.
I sold to run this godforsaken place.
You think I don't have family
in Pakistan or Iran? Those are the words of God!
I could have run like everyone else.
If I deny him one child, he takes 10.
So, I let him take one,and leave the And what manner of punishment
judging to Allah. benefits the adulterer?
I take his filthy money, and I go to the
bazaar,and I buy food for the children.
You think I spend it on myself? How shall we punish those
Look at me. who dishonour the sanctity of marriage?
Look.
What happens to the children he takes?
Sometimes, they come back, more often, How shall we deal
they don't. with those who disobey God?
Who is he?
How do I find him?
Go to the Ghazi Stadium tomorrow. How shall we answer those who throw
You'll see him at halftime. stones at the windows of God's house?
He'll be the one making speeches.
Now, please leave.
You've frightened the children. We shall throw stones back!
Pull over here.
We should go.
I have to look at one more thing. My friend.
Nothing that you remember
has survived.
Better to forget. My friend, a word?
I don't want to forget any more.
Do you want to stay here?
No, but we have to. We have business with your brother.
That's him.
Brothers and sisters!
We are here today to carry out Shari'a. Personal business.
We are here today to carry out justice.
I guess I'll wait in the car. One of the better ones I've seen.
This is your business now.

Take off the turban.

Thank you for helping me.

You come from America?

Anyone there?

Yes.
I was told to come here.

I'm looking for a boy.

Come in.

Isn't everybody?
Thank you.

I understand your friend

How soft. brought him here.

Sit down. His name is Sohrab.

Sit down. Let me ask you something.

I think there's been a mistake. What are you doing

with that whore America?

I came to see your friend.

Why aren't you here

The man who made

the speech at the stadium. with your Muslim brothers,
serving your country.

He has other business.

I've been away for a long time.

You can do away with that now.

That's an answer?

I'm not sure what you mean.

Not an answer, they say.

Take off your beard.

I'm only here for the boy.
 what are you doing here?
Do you want to see him?

I'm taking the boy home with me.

Come, my boy.

You want my advice?

Such a talented little Hazara.

Run away.
Leave us be.

That's what you do best.

I've been wondering,

Not without Sohrab.

whatever happened to
your great Baba, anyway?
Why's that?

What did you think?

The boy's too good for his country?

That you'd put on a fake beard

and I wouldn't recognise you? What do you know about Afghanistan?

I knew you the second You weren't here when the Communists
I saw you in the stadium. shot our mullahs

I never forget a face. Never! and pissed in our mosques.

Assef? This country was like a beautiful

mansion littered with garbage.

Amir jan.
We took out the garbage.
We brought law. We brought justice.
What are you doing here?

I have seen your laws

Me?

and your justice.

I'm home.

And I'm taking the boy home with me.

The question is,
All right, then.
You're wasting your hand.

Of course, I didn't say

you could take him for free. Sohrab?

No more. Sohrab?

No more, Agha. Sohrab?

Please, stop hurting him.

Sohrab?
Put it down, Hazara.
You'll get yours next.
Take off your shoes, dear brother.

Put it down!
Forgive me.

Get it out!
I thought I lost you.

Get it out!
He used to come get me
in the morning before prayers.
Kill him!

I didn't want him

Go home to your family. to get me any more.

Are you Amir? He won't, Sohrab.

Rahim Khan left this for you. I swear to you,

Where did he go? he can't get you any more.

I did not ask. Are your parents dead?

But he'll be back? Yes.

He has left us, my child. Do you remember what they look like?
I never met my mother. Ready to meet your new family?

I remember Let's go.

what my father looked like.

Do you like your room?

I'm starting to forget their faces.

You don't look so bad.

Is that bad?

I don't think he's looked at me once.

Here.

Give him time.

Sometimes I'm glad they're dead.

I'm knitting him

Why? a turtleneck sweater for next winter.

Because... The sweaters they

sell here don't last a month.

Because I don't want them to see me.

Amir jan.

I'm so dirty.
You're going to tell me why
you've brought this boy back with you?
You're not dirty.

What sort of question is that?

I won't hurt you.

While you're busy

That's my wife. knitting sweaters, my dear,

- Missed you. I have to deal with the

- Missed you, too. community perception of our family.

Sohrab jan, this is your aunt. People will ask why there is
a Hazara boy living with our daughter.

We've all been waiting for you.

What do I tell them?

- It felt so real.
You can tell them... - Thank you.

It's all right. My pleasure. Thank you.

The General is correct. Look. Look at that.

People will ask. Excuse me a second.

- Amir? I'd like that kite, please.

- It's all right.

And I'll take this spool.

You see, General Sahib,

Do you like the kite?

my father slept with his servant's wife.

Did I ever tell you

And she bore him a son named Hassan.

your father
Hassan is dead now.

was the best

That boy sleeping in the other room kite runner in all Kabul?
is Hassan's son.

He made all
He's my nephew. the neighbourhood kids jealous.

That's what you tell people He'd run the kites

when they ask.

and never look up at the sky.

And one more thing, General Sahib.

Some claimed
You will never again refer to him
as "a Hazara boy" in my presence.
he was just chasing the kite's shadow.

He has a name, and it's Sohrab.

But they didn't know him like I did.
Let's teach him a lesson, no?

Your father wasn't chasing shadows.

Watch, Sohrab.

He just knew.
I'm going to show you
one of your father's favourite tricks.
That's all.

An old technique.
Do you want to help me fly this?

Lift and Dive.

Okay.

Come.
Looks like I have to fly it solo.

Come closer.
Last chance.

Here he comes!
Here I go.

We're going to catch him now, right?

It's a good kite, no?

Look, I cut him!

Do you want to try?

What are you doing,

Here. you can't hold it right?

Hold it tight, Sohrab jan. I'm sorry!

Good job, Sohrab. Do you want me to run that kite for you?

Pull, pull, pull! For you, a thousand times over.

Looks like someone wants a fight. Special thanks to SergeiK.

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