Cannes ovation for Afghan film

Barmak's film was partly funded by Iran

Osama, a film about the Taliban-era horrors in Afghanistan, has become the first movie directed by an Afghani film-maker to be screened at Cannes film festival.

The film, which is not in competition for the main Palme d'Or prize, was directed by Sedigh Barmak, was shown as part of the festival's Director's Fortnight on Tuesday.

It tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who pretends to be a boy in Taliban-era Afghanistan in order to find money for her family. Osama's plot is based on a true story.

Barmak, who is a contender for the Camera d'Or for best newcomer, said "the film is about the hopelessness" of the years under Taliban rule.

Barmak, 41, said he used people from the streets and from refugee camps instead of professional actors.

The film's heroine, Marina, is one of a family of 12. She is now studying with the help of a welfare programme for street children.

Standing ovation

The film was partly funded with $25,000 (£15,800) from Iran, and $21,000 (£13,290) from Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf.

Makhmalbaf, who directed the film Kandahar, set in Afghanistan, also provided film-making equipment and crew.

Barmak and Makhmalbaf received a standing ovation when the film was shown at the festival.

Kandahar was a critically successful film about Afghanistan

Osama begins with a group of women demanding work, who are then shot at by Taliban troops.

One family whose men have been killed by the Taliban, then dress their 12-year-old daughter up as a boy to try and earn money.

But she is discovered, and has to face a Taliban trial.

Women who contravened the Taliban's strict laws were often stoned to death in mass public executions.

Barmak said women's lives had not changed much despite the end of the Taliban regime.

"There are some changes, but no big change on the whole," he said. "Some girls now go to school and work, but most women are poor and uneducated, many have to beg and most are still afraid of the Taliban."

Another film about Afghanistan is competing for the Palme d'Or this year.

At Five in the Afternoon, directed by Makhmalbaf's daughter Samira, is about struggles of refugees returning to the country in 2002.