This doc follows the US and Afghan forces during the fall of Afghanistan, focusing primarily on fairly high ranking (but still forward-deployed) figures, especially General Sadat and his US counterparts (Green Berets). When it starts out, the US and Afghans are working side-by-side. Things are a bit dicey but seem managed. Then the Americans drop out and the Afghans are left alone. We watch as thing go downhill fairly quickly, ultimately leading to the fall of the country.
It's a depressing watch, but informative. After 20 years the Afghans still aren't quite ready to stand on their own. A variety of factors seem evident at least from the film, including a certain lack of technology (e.g. No Predators), low morale (exacerbated by the US decision to withdraw and the Afghan President's decision to flee), lack of sufficient popular support (Afghan employees are getting targeted in their homes), and perhaps ineffective or inexperienced leadership (Sadat doesn't come across as very impressive even though he may be brave).
My hat's off to the filmmakers - their level of access and the quality of their footage is stunning. The cameras keep rolling even as the governor's compound is surrounded. Quite incredible.
It's a depressing watch, but informative. After 20 years the Afghans still aren't quite ready to stand on their own. A variety of factors seem evident at least from the film, including a certain lack of technology (e.g. No Predators), low morale (exacerbated by the US decision to withdraw and the Afghan President's decision to flee), lack of sufficient popular support (Afghan employees are getting targeted in their homes), and perhaps ineffective or inexperienced leadership (Sadat doesn't come across as very impressive even though he may be brave).
My hat's off to the filmmakers - their level of access and the quality of their footage is stunning. The cameras keep rolling even as the governor's compound is surrounded. Quite incredible.