The Land of the Enlightened (2016)

Plot

In the treacherous landscape near Bagram Airfield, a group of Kuchi children navigate a perilous existence amidst minefields. They scavenge anti-personnel mines to sell the explosives to young laborers in a nearby lapis lazuli mine. The vibrant blue stones journey toward Tajikistan and China, passing through territories dominated by child soldiers. Amidst the chaos of their daily lives, these children escape into vivid fantasies, seeking solace from the harsh realities around them. Meanwhile, American soldiers strategize their withdrawal from a conflict that seems endlessly entwined with the children’s struggle for survival.