When Pomegranates Howl

When Pomegranates Howl is a 2020 Afghan-Australian drama film written and directed by Iranian-born Australian filmmaker Granaz Moussavi. The film was partly funded through Adelaide Film Festival, which became its premiere place. It was selected as the Australian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.

Plot
Based on real events, the film tells the story of Hewad, a nine-year-old boy who lives on the streets in the capital of Afghanistan - Kabul. Following the loss of both his father and brother, Hewad decides to create a business by working as a cart pusher, which he enjoys doing every day. By working as such, and loading the carts with goods, he travels throughout Kabul in the hope to raise enough money for his family. Hewad's dream of becoming a movie star comes to life when he stumbles on an Australian photographer.

Cast

 * Arafat Faiz
 * Elham Ayazi
 * Andrew Quilty

Production and filming
Granaz Moussavi started filming When Pomegranates Howl in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2017 after reading Australian headlines of an attack by the Australian armed forces in which two boys - 11 and 12-year-olds were killed. This sad news, prompted the director to write a script about a (back then) nine-year-old boy named Hewad.