Journey eastward from Kabul toward the Pakistani frontier, and you'll discover a treasure of remarkable historical significance. This location once flourished along the legendary Silk Road, with origins stretching back nearly five millennia, home to an ancient Buddhist civilization marked by sacred monasteries.
Yet this chapter of history faces potential erasure.
Mes Aynak, as this archaeological wonder is known, stands among the world's most precious heritage sites. Some scholars consider it an irreplaceable archaeological gem.
The documentary Saving Mes Aynak explores this site's precarious fate—a moving and thought-provoking work created by Brent Huffman in collaboration with Kartemquin Films.
At the heart of this struggle stands Qadir Temori, an Afghan archaeologist whose training may be modest but whose dedication and vision are extraordinary. He faces daunting challenges from multiple directions:
- Taliban forces who terrorize workers and international specialists
- A Chinese mining corporation poised to excavate copper, which would obliterate the entire site
- Afghanistan's government, drawn by the economic windfall the mining operation promises
- A global community of donors whose support remains limited and continues to dwindle
Huffman, who teaches at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, methodically reveals how these forces align against those fighting to preserve Mes Aynak. The film exemplifies outstanding journalism. Equally fascinating is Huffman's personal journey in pursuing and championing this story.
"No one should permit their cultural history to be wiped away," Temori states in the documentary.
A complimentary screening will take place at 7 PM on Tuesday, June 23 at the Oriental Institute, followed by a discussion panel.
View screening details at the University of Chicago Arts website
The documentary will also air on Al Jazeera America on July 12 at 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT.
