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Subscribe to RSSThe two Afghan teens who starred in the short critically acclaimed film 'Buzkashi Boys' landed at LAX this week to attend the Oscars. It was a far cry from their home country, where one of the boys – Fawad – sold maps on the streets to help support his family. NBC's Kristen Dahlgren reports.
By Thanh Truong, Correspondent, NBC News
Fawad Mohammadi's tuxedo pants are a bit short. 'First world problems,' right? Fawad would know. The 14-year-old street urchin turned actor is from Kabul, Afghanistan. Now, he's getting fitted for tuxedo for Oscar night.
"Fawad is like James Bond now, but I am like Al Pacino," said fellow teen Afghan actor Jawanmard Paiz.
Steven Louie/NBC News
Fawad Mohammadi tries on the tuxedo he will wear to the Oscars.
It's been a whirlwind ride. Fawad and Jawanmard flew more than 7,500 miles and touched down at LAX a few days ago. Obscure no more, they were instantly surrounded by cameras and microphones.
"I am so happy, so excited to be here. This movie is about the strength of Afghans, the Afghans people don't see," said Fawad.
The kids from Kabul are part of the short film "Buzkashi Boys," which is nominated for best live action short. The Afghan-produced movie follows two poor kids dreaming of a better life. A storyline Fawad literally lives.
Steven Louie/NBC News
"It is like a dream, the Oscars. I can say I thought I would go somewhere some day, but not the Oscars, not Hollywood," said Fawad.
The boys' tour of Tinseltown brought them to Universal Studios Hollywood. Their first encounters with King Kong, Jaws and Transformers was a world apart from the reality of Afghanistan. But with his 3-D glasses on, Fawad seemed like any other teenager, laughing and enjoying the spectacle of movie magic. He didn't have to worry about selling enough maps or souvenirs to help support his mother and his other siblings.
Steven Louie/NBC News
Afghan teen actors Fawad Mohammadi and Jawanmard Paiz stand before the Transformers ride at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.
"I like the weather here, the traffic, too, so many cars," he said.
There's very little pretense with Fawad. He calls it as he sees it. His charm, along with some brilliant green eyes, caught the attention of American film director Sam French. The two have built a tight relationship through their work on the film.
Steven Louie/NBC News
"I mean the film is about him. His character, taking one small step into adulthood, and now he's doing that in real life. So it's just going to be amazing to see him be here and be at the Oscars," said French.
Fawad Mohammadi, the 14-year-old star of a short Afghan film, has been propelled into the Oscar spotlight. The script parallels his own life. NBC's Thanh Truong reports.
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Wow, smiling Afghan's.....go figure :)
I wonder if Mrs. Obama will be there sporting her "bangs".
I think I need new glasses. I thought it said bukkake boys. My bad. ;-) Seriously, I hope they get more out of this than just their 15 mins. and all the photo ops with the self righteous Hollywood elite who probably wont give a rats a$$ about them come Monday morning. We shall see.
And next week they get to go back to the slum
Awe, something nice in their lives. I hope they enjoy themselves.
maybe a free haircut too.
Pretty cool story.
I wonder how long it took for him to get over thinking the traffic is cool? I felt the same way when I first landed in the Philippines, two hours later I had a deathgrip on the seat thinking we were going to die any second.
I was in that state of mind for weeks, thinking either I am going to die or see someone else die
I have to wonder how long this is going to last. If those kids now have a decent chance at a future or if the director of this movie will wonder who those kids are in ten years.
I really hope that they get a good chance at having a far better future.
Do you think the director is now responsible for them for the rest of their lives? Hmmm...
What does it matter what I think cheesy. You're a racist and just looking to argue.
You know folks, has everyone forgottne that we have 25 Millioon freeaking Americans unemployed and living on poverty level because we have a dictator like borther in White House who doesnt know a damn thing about what he is doing except that he realizes what he wants to do which is destory America and Capitalism and its people and any chance for prosperity and here these morons bring a couple of Muslim Afghans here to make them shine for a while in a movie. I wonder why they havent made any movies yet about the poor Americans across this great nation who are in deep Horse poop and are losing everything they own faster than any of us can even blink an eye. No ofcourse that wouldnt be politically correct as far as the Socialist Libbie law goes right. So forgive me if Im not so excited with joy just because they fly a couple Afghan Foreigners to my country to make a movie and become movie stars for god sakes. Lets not forget we are fightin a war in Afghanistan and Pakistan okay, oh and Iraq and soon to be Uran if the Coward in the White house with his bias towards Muslims gets his finger out his ahole and stands up to them like a man would, you know like president Ronald Reagan did. You know the one man that the Bama thinks he compares to, hmm thats a joke. 2016 is when we hopefully fight for this country to get it back so that this corrupt Socialist Federal Gov goes to work for us again not against us like they are now. May God bless the poor people who are suffering in THIS country and that are out of work and have been for years not months folks but years. Lets take care of our own people and raise them up, not these darn Afghanis okom. Tootaloo and lets go 2014 and 2016, lets kick these pinheads out of office who are and have been destorying this great nation of ours. By the way if anyone is a patriotic person, I am, My grandfather sat down on many ocassions with Albert Einstein for tea and spoke of many interesting things to say the least. My great Grandfather helped Abraham Lincoln through alot of his more diffcult times when he was President. And Betsy Ross who made one of the most memorable designs of the US American Flag is in my yes Family Tree under my mothers side so yep Im a patriotic and true blue American friends and I love this country and all that it had stood for and hopefully still does. We have been made to think that we should feel ashamed of ourselves because for some reason everything bad in world is the US fault, hmmm. Bama really has a great knack for apologizing for us but is quick to praise others outside this great nation. I tell you the truth that when we get rid of that Scum bag in 2016, it will be the greatest thing to happen in many decades in this country.
Why don't you just stick to the subject being discussed. It's an accomplishment for these kids especially where they do come from. It could have been kids from any country so would you oppose that too or is it just your prejudice? Don't blame all the people for what other groups do. There are good and bad in all people.
By the way your grammar and writing structure could us a little help too.
Have a nice day.
Cynical Jane you might want to learn how to spell before you slam other people for their writing skills... Just a thought...
"By the way your grammar and writing structure could us a little help too."
I have no intention of supporting any movie with Muslim's in it. I despise they way Muslim's treat women in general and think that their faith is a cult!
Message to Muslim's: Get out of our country before we Westernize your wives and daughters. Take your gender mutilation, and honor killings and shove that s hit up your asses!!!!!!!! Signed, those of us who remember 9/11 "Never Forget"
9/11 happened! Never Forget!
Glad these two kids are enjoying themselves I am however concerned this publicity will put them in danger once they get back to their home country. Hoping it does not.
It probably won't endanger them as they aren't female.
Generalizing much, Cheesy? These KIDS had nothing to do with 9/11. That's like me blaming all white people for slavery. Doesn't make any sense to do that, does it?
cannit...you are so absolutely right. These kids have done nothing to this country. I cannot believe what I've read comming from the mouths of so-called Americans. All about 2 young boys wanting to have a chance to do what they're good at & enjoy doing like many Americans. Acting.
Best of luck guys.God protect you from the Taliban on your return.
What a bunch of horse @!$%#
Just maybe they can transform a tiny bit of their country to sanity. I think it is worth a try. If you do not try, nothing will happen. Simply hating a people will get nowhere. Hate never overcomes hate, only love overcomes hate. Just maybe if Americans can show these kids what love is they might take a little back with them.
Oh My, want to see a little story about boys in Afghanistan,,,??? do tune into the NatGeographic channel Wednesday night, 9 P.M.,,,a story about the "boys" taken by the local chieftains, and the Taliban chaps both. Seems these young lads are taken away as a matter of their "culture" to service the older males......afterall it would sully ones woman to be up in the hills or away with her man at war. Too many of the other guys might be tempted by the enrobed ladies.....SO,,,do tune in,,,I think you know what will be 'revealed' about the boys and the Afghan men,,,,,