https://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2007/12/20/kites_and_other_cultural_bagga/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 16:25:03 -0400<![CDATA[Last night I finally saw the film based on Khaled Hosseini&#8217;s novel The Kite Runner. I loved it&#8211;yes, even if it captures a pre-Taliban country more mythical than real. Nevertheless, the musical soundtrack, the recitation of classical poetry, the innocent kite-flying competitions in Kabul, (not to mention Homayoun Ershadi who strongly resembles Marcello Mastroianni), all comprise utterly charming scenes and characters carefully chosen and calibrated to help us distinguish between sophisticated and westernized Afghans who are non-violent, (I know many), and the barbarians amongst them.]]>Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:16:22 -0500<![CDATA[Phyllis Chesler]]>https://pjmedia.com/phyllis-chesler/2007/12/20/kites_and_other_cultural_bagga-n103361