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Animated film

The Swallows of Kabul (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Swallows of Kabul (2019) movie poster

The Swallows of Kabul is a 2019 animated film directed by Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec and Zabou Breitman, starring Hiam Abbass as Mussarat, Swann Arlaud and Simon Abkarian. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes and earned $2.4 million worldwide on a $5.7 million budget. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
worldwide gross
$2.4M
Echo Score
85
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The Swallows of Kabul (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 20m (80 min)
Genre
Animation
Original language
French
Budget
$5.7M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Swallows of Kabul About?

The premise of The Swallows of Kabul without spoilers.

In war-torn Kabul, Afghanistan, under the strict control of the Taliban, two couples struggle to survive. Their lives, filled with fear and uncertainty, become unexpectedly linked. The film explores their individual journeys and the challenges they face, highlighting the strength and perseverance of ordinary people enduring extraordinary hardship.

The Swallows of Kabul Themes & Keywords

· 25 tags
  • title directed by female
  • f rated
  • place name in title
  • location in title
  • city name in title
  • animal in title
  • year 1998
  • afghanistan
  • kabul afghanistan
  • swallow
  • taliban
  • crying
+13 more
  • dispute
  • accidental death
  • death
  • convicted of murder
  • prison
  • rifle
  • street child
  • dog
  • the future
  • 2d animation
  • french animation
  • 1990s
  • asia
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Cast & crew

The Swallows of Kabul Cast & Characters

Hiam Abbass leads the cast as Mussarat, with Swann Arlaud as Mohsen and Simon Abkarian as Atiq. Directed by Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec and Zabou Breitman; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec and Zabou Breitman

More films directed by Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec and Zabou Breitman, best-rated first: The Man of My Life and Someone I Loved.

Ratings

The Swallows of Kabul Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Swallows of Kabul 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

85 /100

The Swallows of Kabul Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s principal strength lies in its artful synthesis of narrative and visual design, resulting in a moving and cohesive drama. Critics commend the elegant adaptation of the source material and the empathetic portrayal of characters under an oppressive regime, noting the balance of tragedy and hope. Although the animated medium occasionally creates a slight emotional distance, the measured pacing and ethical sensitivity sustain engagement. Overall, The Swallows of Kabul offers a thoughtful and resonant viewing experience with lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 87

    In terms of artful design, the film employs an understated color palette and meticulous animation to convey its somber themes. Reviewers praise the elegant adaptation of literary prose into visual sequences and the deliberate editing choices that maintain narrative cohesion. Although some note the distancing effect inherent in animation, the overall craftsmanship remains compelling and refined.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character depth, the film portrays every figure as a multifaceted individual capable of change under oppressive circumstances. Critics highlight the clarity and compassion infused into each interaction, particularly in conveying moral complexity and empathy. Despite the format’s potential for emotional distance, the nuanced emotional arcs deliver a resonant and humanized portrayal.

  • Story & Flow 82

    Regarding story coherence and flow, the narrative delivers a potent exploration of repression and sacrifice with measured pacing. The plot threads hope through tragedy, avoiding simplistic moralizing. A few critics observe mixed messaging around gender-specific injustices, but this does not substantially hinder engagement. Overall, the storyline remains cohesive and compelling throughout its runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the animation’s visual style and soundtrack coalesce into an evocative atmosphere. Observers commend the ethical and artistic effort behind the image composition and the sound design that underscores emotional beats. Some note that the animated medium can create a slight remove, but the film sustains a cohesive audiovisual identity.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When evaluating rewatch potential, the film offers lasting appeal through its thematic depth and moral resonance. The clarity and compassion of the narrative linger beyond the initial viewing. However, the emotionally weighty subject matter and occasional narrative distancing may limit frequent re-examination. Still, the film’s thoughtful construction encourages reconsideration over time.

Box office

The Swallows of Kabul Box Office & Budget

The Swallows of Kabul grossed $2.4 million worldwide on a $5.7 million budget, 42% of what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.4M

42% of its budget back

International
$2.4M
Budget
$5.7M
Videos

The Swallows of Kabul Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Swallows of Kabul.

The Swallows of Kabul / Les Hirondelles de Kaboul (2019) - Trailer (French)
Details

The Swallows of Kabul Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Las golondrinas de Kabul” and “Le rondini di Kabul”.

Also known as
  • Las golondrinas de Kabul
  • Le rondini di Kabul
  • Лястовиците на Кабул
  • 카불의 제비
  • Kabil'in Kırlangıçları
  • Les hirondelles de Kaboul
  • Os Olhos de Cabul
  • 喀布尔的燕子
  • Jaskółki z Kabulu
  • Kabul fecskéi
  • Ласточки Кабула
  • Τα Χελιδόνια της Καμπούλ
+7 more
  • As Andorinhas de Cabul
  • Kábulské vlaštovky
  • Rândunicile din Kabul
  • Kabulske lastavice
  • Lastovke iz Kabula
  • Die Schwalben von Kabul
  • 喀布爾之燕

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FAQ

The Swallows of Kabul FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Swallows of Kabul, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Swallows of Kabul?

The Swallows of Kabul runs 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes).

When was The Swallows of Kabul released?

The Swallows of Kabul was released on October 19, 2019.

Who directed The Swallows of Kabul?

The Swallows of Kabul was directed by Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec and Zabou Breitman.

Who is in the cast of The Swallows of Kabul?

The Swallows of Kabul stars Hiam Abbass as Mussarat, Swann Arlaud as Mohsen and Simon Abkarian as Atiq, among 4 credited actors.

How much did The Swallows of Kabul make at the box office?

The Swallows of Kabul grossed $2.4 million worldwide on a budget of $5.7 million.

How is The Swallows of Kabul rated?

The Swallows of Kabul has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78% on TMDB and 3.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Swallows of Kabul have a post-credit scene?

No. The Swallows of Kabul has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Swallows of Kabul in?

The original language of The Swallows of Kabul is French.

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