The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is a 2007 drama film directed by Marc Forster based on the novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini. It tells the story of Amir, a well-to-do boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who is tormented by the guilt of abandoning his friend Hassan, the son of his father's Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of Afghan refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the Taliban regime.


In chapter 8, we get a very strong sense of Baba's conviction of what's right and his call to stand for it.  It also foreshadows his feelings for Hassan and the longing he feels for Amir.  It's Baba's feelings of morality that drive who he is and the relationships that he maintains.  While birthed in a good place, it's Baba's sensibilities that tend to marginalize and push away the one's he loves.

Matthew 5:19-22

^19-20"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

 ^21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.


In chapter 12 Amir travels to Pakistan upon request of old family friend Rahim Kahn to discover 'a way to become good again.'  Once there Rahim Kahn tells Amir of his failing health and denies Amir's request for him to come back to America with him, stating that Amir has been 'infused with America's sense of optimism.'  Without us knowing any better, what role does our being American play in our own Christianity?

Galatians 1:10-12

^10-12Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ.


In chapter 16 Amir finally decides to stand up for his since dead half-brother Hassan by defending his nephew Sohrab from his father-in-law General Taheri's inquiries regarding the perception of the family in the community.  In doing so he breaks the cycle of generational sin, prejudice and pride.  We often see ourselves in light of ourselves, but often need to draw back and take our measure in light of our families with a eye towards where we see our families headed in the future.  

Nehemiah 4:13-14

^13-14 So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."