INTRODUCE YOUR BRAND

Silent Courage is a human-centered, character-driven documentary that tells the story of Afghan commandos—men who fought on the front lines against the Taliban, sacrificing their lives for freedom and the hope of a better future for their country. The narrative focuses on four main perspectives: Younes, a young soldier whose dreams for his nation and his daughters are tragically cut short; Commander Sanjini, an Uzbek leader who guided his soldiers through the hardest battles; Wazirgol, a young Pashtun soldier now living under constant Taliban threat in remote areas; and Alka Sadat, the director and narrator, who lived among them and became both a witness and a recorder of these unseen, real stories.

The film was shot at Rishkhor Camp, once a training ground for foreign Al-Qaeda fighters and later transformed into a special base for Afghan forces. Entering such a place as a woman—and especially for Alka—meant facing immense dangers, threats, and social restrictions.

Younes’s death stands as a symbol of courage—not only for Afghan soldiers but for all who lost their lives in Afghanistan, including international troops. Through Alka’s eyes, the audience encounters the private lives, hopes, and fears of these men—stories that had long remained hidden beh ind the battle lines. The documentary captures the bravery, sacrifice, and human cost of war while also revealing Alka’s personal journey and the risks she faced as a woman among commandos.

Recreating this film in 2025 holds special importance, as many of these soldiers are now dead, in hiding, or displaced. Silent Courage is both a historical record and a tribute to those whose bravery has been overlooked—a story that transcends Afghanistan, carrying a universal human and global resonance.

Silent Courage tells the story of bravery and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in Afghanistan. The death of Younes symbolizes the courage not only of Afghan soldiers but of all who have fallen for freedom and peace in Afghanistan, including international forces. This film gives a voice to those forgotten, whose stories have remained silent until now.
Making this documentary began with risk and resilience. Many told me, “You can’t make this film because you’re a woman—it’s far too dangerous for you there.” Yet I chose to enter the world of men who had never experienced a woman working alongside them. In a traditional society like Afghanistan, my presence was strange and sometimes threatening, but over time trust and connection grew. The film was originally shot in 2014 under the title Afghanistan Night Stories, in the Rishkhor Camp, once a training base for foreign Al-Qaeda fighters and later a special Afghan commando base. The route from Kabul to Rishkhor was extremely dangerous, with threats of explosions and attacks every day. Many days we moved with soldiers to secure the surrounding area while filming—a constant balance of fear and focus.
Now, after the Taliban’s return and seeing the dire situation of many soldiers, I have decided to revisit this story. In this new version, I am one of the main characters—the narrator who witnessed and heard stories no one else could, documenting truths previously hidden from the world.
The film follows four main characters:

• Younes, a symbol of courage and hope, who dreamed of a free Afghanistan where his daughters could study and choose their own futures—but was tragically killed.
  Commander Sanjini, an Uzbek leader who guided his soldiers through the harshest battles and inspired them with his leadership.
  Wazirgul, a young Pashtun soldier now living in remote areas under constant Taliban threat.

• Alka Sadat (myself), who lived among them and became the witness and storyteller of their silence and untold experiences.

1. Silent Courage is more than a documentary; it is a historical and human record of those who sacrificed their lives for their country, whose voices were silenced. With its human and international dimension, this film tells a story beyond Afghanistan, giving voice to those who have never been heard and presenting an unfiltered, deeply personal experience of war and life on the front lines.