The Forbidden Reel

The Forbidden Reel documents the cinemas of Kabul--entertainment venues that had been banned under the Taliban but which have sputtered back to life since the US invasion 12 years ago. The Forbidden Reel provides an alternative narrative to life in this violence-plagued city where going to the movies, for many, is an escape from the harsh reality that lies outside.

Jonathan Saruk is a freelance photographer and videographer currently based in Malm , Sweden. His still images have been published in The New Yorker, Neon, IO Donna, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Times (London), among others. Jonathan's video work has been broadcast on usatoday.com and HDnet's World Report. His photography from Afghanistan was selected for the 2012 PDN Photo Annual and American Photography 28. Jonathan is a graduate of the International Center of Photography in New York, NY, where he was awarded a scholarship from The New York Times. He also holds an M.A. in print journalism from New York University. Jonathan is a Featured Photographer with Reportage by Getty Images and a contributor to Fox Tale Films.