Leaving Afghanistan 2019
"The war is over. Not their mission."
In the twilight of the Soviet-Afghan War, 1988-1989 marked a fragile ceasefire and the USSR's troubled retreat from Afghanistan.
Director: Pavel Lungin
Cast
Kirill Pirogov
Dmitrich
Yan Tsapnik
Abdusalamov
Vitaly Kishchenko
general Vasilyev
Fyodor Lavrov
Volodya
Oleg Vasilkov
Kharlamov
Anton Momot
Greek
Mikhail Kremer
Dumbbell
Kirill Ermichev
Melnik
Roman Kolotukhin
Youngman
Vasiliy Butkevich
Boot
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leaving Afghanistan (2019) about?
*Leaving Afghanistan* follows a Soviet general's son who is kidnapped by mujahideen during the 1988-89 Soviet withdrawal. His rescue mission forces a stranded division to risk everything in the deadly Salang Pass, turning a withdrawal into a desperate battle for survival. Based on true events, the film exposes the chaos behind the war's official end.
Who directed Leaving Afghanistan?
Pavel Lungin, the acclaimed Russian filmmaker known for blending historical drama with intense character studies, directed *Leaving Afghanistan*.
Who stars in Leaving Afghanistan?
The film features Kirill Pirogov in a standout role, alongside Yan Tsapnik, Vitaly Kishchenko, Fyodor Lavrov, and Oleg Vasilkov.
Is Leaving Afghanistan (2019) worth watching?
For fans of war dramas rooted in real history, *Leaving Afghanistan* offers a gripping, emotionally charged experience. Its blend of action, suspense, and human drama makes it a compelling watch, even if it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of war. The film's intensity and authenticity stand out in its genre.
How long is Leaving Afghanistan?
The film runs for 112 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
Leaving Afghanistan (2019): The Untold Story of the Soviet Retreat — Full Movie Info
In the twilight of the Soviet-Afghan War, 1988-1989 marked a fragile ceasefire and the USSR's troubled retreat from Afghanistan. Pavel Lungin's gripping drama *Leaving Afghanistan (2019)* plunges into the final, harrowing chapter of this conflict through the lens of one family's crisis. When Soviet General Vasiliev's son, a skilled pilot named Alexander, is abducted by mujahideen after a crash, the 108th motorized infantry division is forced to delay its long-awaited journey home. Under intense pressure, they embark on a perilous mission to navigate the deadly Salang Pass and rescue the young man, revealing the human cost behind the war's official end. Lungin crafts a tense, emotionally charged narrative that blends raw action with intimate drama, capturing the chaos and desperation of soldiers caught between duty and survival.
The film's atmosphere crackles with suspense as each decision carries life-or-death stakes, while its war-torn backdrop underscores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between heroism and futility. With a stellar cast led by Kirill Pirogov in a standout performance, *Leaving Afghanistan* delivers a historically grounded thriller that honors real events while immersing viewers in the gritty realities of a forgotten chapter.
