UPDATE: The historic Ariana Cinema in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan, has been demolished as of December 16, 2023, making way for a new shopping complex. This iconic venue, which opened in 1963, was a cultural cornerstone for decades, showcasing both Bollywood and American films.
Demolition crews began tearing down the cinema last week, and within just a few days, it was reduced to rubble. Afghan film director Amir Shah Talash expressed profound sorrow over the loss, stating, “It’s not just a building made of bricks and cement that is being destroyed, but the Afghan cinema lovers who resisted and continued their art despite the hardships.” This sentiment encapsulates the emotional weight of the cinema’s closure for many Afghans.
The Taliban government, which regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, has imposed strict regulations against entertainment, effectively halting cinema operations. On May 13 of this year, the government officially dissolved the Afghan Film Administration, marking a significant blow to the country’s film industry. Following this, Kabul authorities decided that the Ariana’s prime location warranted redevelopment into a commercial area.
Kabul Municipality spokesman Niamatullah Barakzai justified the demolition, stating, “Cinemas themselves are a kind of commercial activity…and that area had the potential for a good market.” This development is significant, as it reflects the ongoing transformation of Kabul’s landscape under the Taliban’s regime.
The Ariana Cinema was initially built during a period of modernization in Afghanistan, symbolizing a new era of cultural expression. However, decades of conflict, including the Soviet invasion in 1979 and subsequent civil wars, left it damaged and abandoned for years. Following the Taliban’s initial ousting in 2001, it was restored with French support in 2004, reclaiming its status as a beloved entertainment venue.
For many, including Talash, the cinema was more than just a place to watch films; it was a sanctuary for escaping daily struggles. “It was from this cinema that I fell in love with film,” Talash shared, reminiscing about childhood visits that fueled his passion for cinema.
The cinema also held significance beyond Afghanistan’s borders. Sohaib Romi, a Pakistani film enthusiast, recalled watching films at the Ariana during a time when travel to Kabul was a means of experiencing Bollywood films, which were heavily taxed and banned in Pakistan. “My memories are buried in the rubble of the Ariana Cinema,” he lamented.
As the dust settles on this cultural loss, Talash remains hopeful, asserting that while buildings may collapse, “art lives on in the minds and hearts of people.”
This demolition marks a troubling trend in the ongoing cultural erasure in Afghanistan under the Taliban, raising concerns about the future of artistic expression in the region. The next steps for Kabul’s cultural landscape remain uncertain, but the loss of the Ariana Cinema is a poignant reminder of a vibrant past now overshadowed by restrictive governance.
With this development, the world watches closely as Afghanistan navigates these turbulent changes, and the impact on its cultural identity continues to unfold.