Saving Mes Aynak

"A doc of crucial immediacy, a plea for all humanity... Advocacy filmmaking at its best and most chilling... both fascinating and terrifying... Brent E. Huffman's gift as a cinematographer provides haunting, lyrical images and as a director he wisely balances the passion of Temori with the eternal loss of something worth saving. Saving Mes Aynak is simply required viewing for those whose soul will compel them to act. Unique and immediate. That rare doc that NEEDS to be seen."

"Eye-opening"

"An appeal not only to value our past, but to recognize our commonality across oceans and borders."

"Director Brent E. Huffman eschews any strict documentary formalism and employs a variety of techniques to best communicate the gravity of Qadir’s predicament. Combining verité footage, talking head interviews, news clips and internet videos, Huffman submits himself to the service of the natural narrative baked into his subject, though not to discount the careful editing in making said narrative evident and powerful."

"It is therefore no exaggeration to call Afghan archaeologist Qadir Temori the hero of the film. The devout Muslim family man does his best to oversee work at Mes Aynak every day, despite the very real threat of violence (including rocket attacks) as well as constant funding shortfalls. Frankly, he and his colleagues should be considered heroes by all civilized people."

"The film shows us that this archaeology is not just about distant civilizations lost in time, Mes Aynak is about how archaeology, politics, economics, imperialism, terrorism and cultural identity are in conflict right here and now."

"A remarkable film of courage, heroism, and hope."

“The most important documentary showing at Full Frame this year.”

"I couldn’t help thinking of Indiana Jones as the film depicts archaeologists scraping away in the dust and sand. The film is also well paced, and the images are gripping... What’s it going to take for people to care about Mes Aynak? The actual visual of it being obliterated?"

"An engrossing look at the conflict between cultural preservation and economic opportunity."

"This powerful story sheds light on the significance of cultural heritage."