Black Tulip

Running time: 116 mins

Fear God. Fear death. Fear the Taliban.

It's open-mic-night at The Poet's Corner, Farishta Mansouri's newly-opened restaurant in Kabul. Artists and poets are welcome to express themselves on a small stage. However, when a poet is found dead, the Mansouri family fears the Taliban is out to silence them. Conceding to the Taliban's demands goes wholly against their beliefs and for what they've fought. Having come a long way from refuge and expatriation overseas, retreating now would be a major step backwards for this Afghan family. Based on a true story and shot in Afghanistan, Black Tulip is a frightening film about the immeasurable value of freedom and the tenacity of culture and tradition, where there is always a price.

- Athena Chow

Sponsored by Applied Materials