Afghanimation

Women in Afghan refugee camps make woven rugs that tell a story of war. The intent of these rugs is unclear. Are they anti-war or an affirmation of military power? Are they made as tourist trinkets for soldiers and “peacekeepers,” or are they somber prayer rugs? The weavers of these rugs are anonymous to Western collectors because the rugs are attained through intricate channels of trade. This kind of silencing of the artists’ voices and the political ambivalence of their intent can be read as a metaphor for the Canadian military presence in Afghanistan. “Canadians don’t know what the Canadian military is doing in Afghanistan.” “Afghanimation” uses stop-motion animation to weave a critique of military/media relations and the complacency of Canadians in smothering, camouflaging and covering up the real stories that come out of the history of occupation and war in Afghanistan. This film is also homage to Canadian filmmaker Joyce Wieland’s evocation of the domestic in order to critique nationalism and foreign policy – which is sadly still relevant and current. “Afghanimation” stands on Wieland’s shoulders to tell this new/old, ancient/contemporary story of war, media, lies and distance. Commissioned for CFMDC’s 40th anniversary project ReGeneration.