Osama is a 2003 Afghan drama film directed by Siddiq Barmak. The film was the first feature-length film to be made in Afghanistan since the end of the Taliban regime in 2001. The film portrays the reality of life under the Taliban regime, where women were not allowed to work or attend school, and had to abide by strict rules and regulations.
The story follows the life of a young girl named Osama, who lives in Kabul with her mother and grandmother. After the death of her father and with no male members in the family to support them, they struggle to make ends meet. Osama decides to cut her hair and dress like a boy to get a job and support her family. She takes on the name of Osama, which is a common name for boys in Afghanistan.
However, the Taliban start recruiting boys for school and military training, and they come to Osama's workplace to take her. She is forced to attend a school for boys, where she struggles to keep her true identity a secret. The Taliban leaders keep a close eye on the boys, and any deviation from the strict rules and regulations is punished severely.
As Osama navigates her way through this confusing and terrifying journey, she makes a few friends among the boys in the school. She also develops a budding friendship with a boy named Espandi, who helps her maintain her disguise and keep her true identity hidden from the Taliban.
The film portrays the harsh reality of life under the Taliban regime, where women and girls were treated as second-class citizens. It highlights the struggles and challenges faced by those who dared to defy the Taliban's rules and regulations, especially young girls like Osama. The film was critically acclaimed and won several awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.