Afghanistan 2014: the withdrawal of international security forces and the presidential elections will change the country profoundly. At the same time, the Taliban are on the advance. The fight for Afghanistan is raging unabated.In the documentary film “Countdown Afghanistan”, writer Jan Dimog and director Manuel Fenn visit Afghans who want to continue fighting for peace, education and equal rights after the withdrawal of western troops – even if this means they fear for their lives. Massoma (31) and her husband Nasir (27) founded a private school several years ago in Herat, Western Afghanistan. Their close cooperation with western organisations, the academic education and their commitment to society make them a target for the Taliban.
Maria (40), the country’s only female Chief Prosecutor General, is fighting for women’s rights and a democratic civil society. She has devoted herself to the rule of law, regardless of the cost.
In Kabul, Lotfullah (26) works as Chief Editor at TOLOnews, the nation’s most important news channel. He is convinced of the power of freedom of opinion and is taking responsibility, despite intimidation from extremists. Jan Dimog has kept in contact with these protagonists since 2006. He met them while working for four years as an editor within the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) media programme. Together with director and cameraman Manuel Fenn, he visited his Afghan friends during a phase of upheaval, between fear and hope.