Director: Brent Huffman
Country: USA, Afghanistan
Year: 2020
Afghan archaeologists and villagers fight to save the ancient Buddhist city of Mes Aynak, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent times, from destruction by a Chinese copper mine.
Learn more about the ancient Buddhist city is caught in a drawn-out battle between commerce and culture in director Brent Huffman’s feature article, “The Fate of Mes Aynak,” from the Spring 2013 issue of Tricycle. For an update on the current status, read “How a Historic Buddhist Site Has Eluded Destruction—for Now.” To learn more about Saving Mes Aynak, visit savingmesaynak.com
This film was available to stream until midnight on February 28th, 2020. Tricycle’s screening has ended, but you can find the film on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu, and Ovid.
A view of the Kafiriat Tepe, the 2,000-year-old Buddhist monastery discovered in Mes Aynak. | Photograph by Michal Przedlacki
Qadir Temori, lead Afghan archaeologist at Mes Aynak, hard at work. | Photo courtesy Brent Huffman
An ancient seated Buddha statue unearthed at Mes Aynak.
The remains of a sitting Buddha statue at Mes Aynak. | Photograph by Michal Przedlacki
Feet of Buddhist statues found in the central room of the monastery. | Photograph by Michal Przedlacki
A meeting of village elders to discuss how to resist the MCC's mining plans, which would displace them without their consent. | Photo courtesy of Brent Huffman