The Watch or the Time is a window into ‘nation building’ through the lens of the
20-year effort in Afghanistan. Thousands of civilian foreigners lived and worked in
Afghanistan to build a new democracy as their armies fought “the war on terror”.
This film is the story of these people and of the Afghans who worked alongside
them, all believing a more prosperous and safer nation was within reach.

At a time where invasion, occupation and military spending globally seem to be
peaking, The Watch or the Time unfolds many layers of complex modern day
warfare versus the civilian cost. An Afghan female graffiti artist, a German armoured
car salesman, an American women’s rights activist, a Canadian NATO
Psy-Operations specialist, Kabul University debate club vice-president, an Australian
war photographer, Afghanistan’s Number 1 media-fixer and a jubilant Taliban
commander are the voices entangled in the West’s failed democracy project. The
Watch or the Time ultimately asks; Was it all worth it and where did it all go wrong?

Followed by Q&A with director, writer and producers

Rating

CTC

Duration

140 MINS