| There was this story on Afghanistan that hit | | | | to them by the local women who practically |
| the newswires a few weeks ago. Unlike most | | | | swarm the beauty school with high hopes of |
| stories about Afghanistan that comment on the | | | | learning a trade that is actually acceptable |
| ouster of the Taliban and the end of the | | | | for women in their culture.For three months, |
| totalitarian regime in that country, this | | | | the six Americans teach the locals all about |
| news story appeared to be on the other hand | | | | the latest techniques in cutting, coloring |
| of the spectrum as far as seriousness and | | | | and styling. Many of the local women are |
| relevance are concerned, at least on the | | | | delighted about what they learn. Many of them |
| surface. The story told about this | | | | are filled with pride as they explain how |
| documentary that was focused on setting up a | | | | they will be able to help their husbands so |
| beauty school in Kabul, the capital of | | | | much if they were able to successfully launch |
| Afghanistan.According to the story, the | | | | their own beauty parlors. Some of the women |
| documentary tells the story of six American | | | | visibly reveled at the prospect of earning |
| women who travel to Afghanistan to train the | | | | more money than their husbands. For most of |
| locals to be hairdressers. It is entitled | | | | them, attending the beauty school was a |
| "The Beauty Academy of Kabul" and is directed | | | | welcome respite from the everyday concerns of |
| by Liz Mermin. The documentary narrates how | | | | their lives, particularly how to overcome |
| some major manufacturers of beauty products | | | | starvation and ward off disease.In the final |
| bank-rolled six volunteer American | | | | analysis, the documentary tells us two |
| hairstylists to set up a beauty school in | | | | important things. First, despite a view of |
| Kabul.The documentary follows the six women | | | | some grotesquely mangled buildings and other |
| as they prepare for their trip, how they were | | | | signs of conflict, the war in Afghanistan is |
| concerned about the uncertainty of their | | | | not as bad as we think. And second, it tells |
| mission and their fears about going to a | | | | us that Afghan women (and probably the men) |
| faraway land where war and controversy are in | | | | are just like us, blessed with a healthy |
| full swing. Upon reaching Kabul and beginning | | | | concern for beauty and excited about the |
| their mission, the woman are pleasantly | | | | chance to look good for their husbands. |
| surprised by the enthusiastic welcome accord | | | | |