At the heart of the new series Kabul lies a question that no one wants to answer: What if it had all been in vain? Developed by Olivier Demangel (co-creator of the Tapie series, released in English as Class Act) and Thomas Finkielkraut, Kabul goes back to the summer of 2021 and the seismic upheaval in Afghanistan when, under the administration of President Joe Biden, the US withdrew its troops after 20 years of military presence, having never succeeded in building a lasting peace in the territory.

With six episodes, the French-German production is currently being screened and competing in the international section of the Séries Mania Festival in Lille (March 21-28). Kabul's narrative takes place during the two weeks following the implementation of the withdrawal of American troops and the return to power of the Taliban. The idea is excellent, and the story's sense of urgency – a precipitous race to the country's borders – galvanizes its early scene. However, the effect is soon weakened and overstretched by the different points of view through which the shift in power is perceived.

You have 61.94% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.