Angels Are Made of Light

Beautiful despite its ravages, somehow still glimmering with hope.

Longley... has an almost magical ability to envelope us in other realities. He does it via the poetry of his imagery as well as a gift for focused illumination that creates empathetic portraits of people who are both ordinary and intensely involving.

One boy dares to imagine Kabul, and his own life, out from under the presence of both the Americans as well as the Taliban. It's a dream captured in many different shades by a very fine film.

Longley likes to shift perspective, and the film often basks in a collective, many-voiced consciousness.

The film is an intimate portrait of a nation terminally anxious about who will see fit to rule it next.

Elegant, if a bit too reverent.

An engaging documentary about Afghanistan's youth that activates our empathy.

Despite all the struggles they face and the fact that this may be only a temporary peace, the children featured here inspire a sense of hope. [James] Longley teases out their worries but also makes us aware of their driving will.

The film is almost emotionally exhausting as it honours the children's stories and reflects their daily lives.

The future is not yet written, and the brave young souls at the heart of the film offer promise that it may be less bleak.