ITV Documentary Chronicles Mir Hussain's Life in Afghanistan

The ITV1 documentary 25 Years in Afghanistan chronicles the life of Mir Hussain from 2002 to 2026, contrasting his personal trajectory with the broader political shifts in the country. The film follows Hussain from a childhood of extreme poverty in Bamiyan province to his emergence as a professional camera operator in Kabul, where he documented sporting events and the aftermath of suicide bombings.

The narrative juxtaposes Hussain's individual progress against the public pledges of foreign leaders such as George W. Bush and Barack Obama. However, the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces and the return of the Taliban reversed these gains. Hussain's television career ended, forcing him back into manual labor.

His wife, Shukria, describes their current existence as being "stuck in this backwardness," noting the restrictive environment for women and a general loss of optimism. The film uses the family's experience to illustrate the economic and social decline following the Taliban's seizure of power.