One of the most powerfully moving stories I have seen in awhile. This photographer really captured the essence of the look in that young girl’s eyes.  I found it incredible that the photographer gave these images such a profound message in the wake of this terrible war. His commitment to finding this woman in all these years is commendable. He gave value to a human life that represented so much suffering in this war torn country. Now that I have seen this photo represented in this film, I will never forget those eyes as a young girl and the image today. She represents many girls and women of that region. It is a testament of how oppression from education leaves very little options for women. I really had to fight back the tears and felt the joy in my heart when they finally located her and what an impact she has created for the world.

I remember the issue with her photo on the cover of thbe National Geographic. My grandfather recieved NG for his entire adulthood and whn he passed away I asked my grandmother to please give the collection to my daughter who was 6 yrs old in 2006. I remember as a teenage girl thinking she had beautiful green eyes and I would look into the mirror on the passenger side visor as my mother would drive and when the sun would hit my eyes just enough my green eyes would resemble hers and how I loved to look at them and wish they would always appear this green and striking.
I grew up in a very small Alabama town and I didnt know what was going on in the world much past my own families issues at the time. 
I now realize we were the same age at the time her photo was taken.I think her picture remains one of the greatest and most memorable pictures I have seen. Of all the Fashion Magazines Ibought from my pre-teens to my mid twenties I cannot remember one cover picture of any of the Supermodels but this one National Geo. picture of the Afgan girl has remained with me and its intriuge has only increased.  I wish more ocver photos would be able to draw people in and make them want to know more about the person and their story and in turn motivate more people to give, have more compassion and realize the effects that peoples circumstances not only effect them but generations afterward and as we have now experienced may even effect us on our on soil.
I hope we all realize how fortunate our educations are and how they are as necessary as food and shelter for people to truly survive and keep hope alive. 
In watching this film,the one about Street Children, and a few more, there is one common thing that each wants for either their children or for themselves and that is EDUCATION. When they said the one family didnt have the twenty=five cents to send the kids to school I thought about how easy it would be for many of us give that amount daily and never miss it but how life changing this could be for others.
I dont know what I am going to do but this film has motivated me to finally find some way of contributing to ensure education is available to more around this world. I will do my research and I will not forget her and her family and it will be my motivation to make sure I fulfill this promise.  My husband is a high school teacher and football coach and we see so many kids not care about their education or future and this type film should be played at schools.

I had seen this documentary once before, so when I came across it again, it was too tempting not to watch it. If anything, it touched me more this time. It’s one of the best documentaries I’ve seen, and it has such a sad yet beautiful outcome. Definitely worth watching!

WOW! 17 yrs later & those same eyes. Its shocking that Americans and any humans who think war is OK think so low of fellow humans that they spend 22 years killing an entire culture! 22 years, 2 generations killed during war and amazingly one girl survived...kept alive by the power behind eyes and she never even reads media rags! America is arrogant and vane. mono symptoms

WOW! 17 yrs later & those same eyes. Its shocking that Americans and any humans who think war is OK think so low of fellow humans that they spend 22 years killing an entire culture! 22 years, 2 generations killed during war and amazingly one girl survived...kept alive by the power behind eyes and she never even reads media rags! America is arrogant and vane.

Such a touching documentary. I too remember the photo from years ago and watching this was like completing a story. I only hope that this beautiful woman who has been through so much pain and suffering can somehow find the small comforts that she desires, not for herself, but for her children and her country. She is truly iconic!

Wow, this is a truly amazing documentary and story. Steve McCurry is going to be lecturing at our University here this Thursday, and I am so glad that I looked him up and found this documentary. Like so many people, I grew up being so familiar with his photo. To now see her found again and to know her story is amazing.

KrisRaah, how does it make America vain that the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan?  And then the Taliban moved in and filled a void?  And Pakistan had a hand at bolstering the Taliban?  How does that make America arrogant?  War is monstrous, but please don’t lose focus.

The story is so touching.  Just wonderful.

Superb documentary. The woman’s face has aged but her eyes have remained the same....still mysterious and beautiful.

WOW! 17 yrs later & those same eyes. Its shocking that Americans and any humans who think war is OK think so low of fellow humans that they spend 22 years killing an entire culture! 22 years, 2 generations killed during war and amazingly one girl survived...kept alive by the power behind eyes and she never even reads media rags! America is arrogant and vane.

Film of the famous afghan girl

Enthralling documentary. The “eyes” have it! Surely, the powers that be will not let this woman and her family continue to live in squalor. She is an icon and this photograph will live on long after we’re all gone.

The only complaint about the viewing is the commercials.  Doesn’t Citibank (one of the sleaziest financial organizations in existence) have enough of our money? A commercial at the beginning and another at the end should be enough!

A few years ago, I purchased the National Geographic 32CD set titled “112 Years”. With the millions of NG photos in all those years, this modern Mona Lisa was on the box cover.
Incredibly, I took the box out two days ago and put it on my desk to review. Then I saw the link to this terrific film.
This was a fabulous documentary...and unbelievably lucky that Steve found her again.
From a child’s eyes to a mother’s eyes, the suffering of all these people is clear.
Please try to disseminate this film a widely as possibble.
With huge thanks.

i think i read an article about the afghan girl few years ago that the photographer who took her picture then ,found the girl and she is a mrarried woman with kids and she didn’t want to be bothered ,

That was beautiful and moving, it mad me think so much about the war and other things around my life. I wish her the best even if she will never get this message....

As a kid, I remember seeing that girl and thinking what a beauty she was. Now, her eyes resemble so much suffering with little hope. As the previous person wrote, I also hope her children are given the best opportunity possible to become what both parents ask our Lord to give them - a good life and education. And, I hope Afghanistan is rebuilt again for the sake of those war torn people. Excellent documentary - Bravo.

OMG! What a moving, compelling, awe inspiring story and video. I was on the edge of my seat and prayed for the ending to be full of life. I was mesmerized by the picture when it first came out. I followed the idea of finding her along with others. I have also personally wondered and prayed for her.I am so enriched and blessed to know that she is alive, married and now has a family. I have seen this video for the first time and will start to pray that N/G takes care of her and her family and the children’s education and help to make her wishes come true. She asked for selfless things it is the least that can be done as she has brought much attention to N/G and more than likely made the magazine a lot of money.  I am so very happy to see that Mr. McCurry’s heart was eased somewhat by finding her. It is a horribly hard thing to live with regret so his wishes were also fulfilled. Everyone was helpful in working with him for this outcome. I grew up in a multicultural lifestyle and have been around Pakistanis almost my whole life. What wonderful people they are. We as westerners MUST continue to pray for Afgahn women and their plight. As the saying goes, “but for the grace of God.”
Tragic is her story of loosing her parents and having to give up her schooling for her children, however I believe in a God that does not make mistakes and she will be fine. She is in the palm of his hands. I know that for many good reasons war is a necessary thing as history has shown us. We really have to pray that they do not last so very long, taking so many lives and displacing others.
Thank you for sharing this story.

I know for sure this photo make a lot of money, please help this beautiful woman and familiy. God bless you!!! Excellet video.

little more and l’ll finish. I love this video!!!!!!

Iam still having problems watching the video. I neet to know where can I buy this video. Please e-mail information to me. Thanks, Diane Bothwell

That was a wonderful documentary. I was on the edge of my seat and crying during parts of it. My daughter is married to a Pakistanian gentleman and I could never hope and pray for a better son in law. He is the kindest and most wonderful father to my three grand children and he is wonderful to my daughter. They have a thirteen year old daughter and I just related this story to her and what could have been. Someday they want to take me and possibly my husband to Pakistan and I really hope to. I have a wonderful relationship with all of his family and friends that I have met so far. I was so facinated with this documentary in showing the villages, schools and some housing. Seeing those people with such fear and hopelessness in their eyes and expressions just tore at my heart. I hope and pray that this beautiful woman and her family were granted help for the education of her children. God bless the National Geographic people and the people that this documentary was all about. Teresa

What an eye opening story, I was drawn in the moment I saw that picture of the Afghan girl, her eyes are so captivating, not only did I see her pain, I felt it!!!.
How wonderful that she was found alive and her story continues. I hope that the National Geographic has fulfilled her only wish; for her children to be educated. If that wish has not been given I will pay the .025 cents per child, that she spoke of. What and how much does it take to educate her family’s 4 (four) children? How can I reach out?, And be assured my gift would reach her and her husbands children? I would love to reach out directly to her and her family, Is that possible? Please tell me that it is. Please forward any information that I am in need of to my email address I have provided. Thank-You. Sheri Sprung (My plea is to the National Geographic foundation/society)

That was beautiful. :]

Very heart felt, inspiring documentary..

I think that I held my breath through most of this documentary in anticipation of finding this girl. A beautiful woman; a bittersweet ending; such a tragic life.

nice

A FAMOUS PHOTO TAKEN BY THE NATIONAL GEORGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE OF A YOUNG GIRL WHICH WAS USED ON THEIR FRONT PAGE

I had watched this program some time ago but not in its entirety.  I rememeber I used to receive this magazine when I was 8 years old.  I rememebr this issue.  Amazing how a picture can bring us back to our childhood.  Amazing story about this woman and what she has endured.  I have a family now and would love for my 10 year old son to share my enthusiasm.  I even rememember the maps that used to come inside the magazine.  Beautiful job National Geographic.  Bravo…

there’s something wrong with the video, i believe.  it kept getting to the same spot where a commericial was and would not resume play.  please fix!  I’d love to see the end.

I couldn’t help but think how the money used to journey around the world to find this woman could have simply been donated to Afghan refugees. Very little was told about this particular girl/woman; in my opinion this was a film of personal fulfilment of the photographer.

had to turn off as advertisement kept repeating itself without showing the narritive? I rather not bother !

This girl’s eyes are absolutly amazing and they tell a story of hope. we should all be aware of this girl- and what war does to people.

What an awesome documentary. The picture taken of the girl is so powerful, just by looking into her eyes, one is left in amazement. Im glad the world now knows who she is.

An amazing story behind the picture. It also lets us Americans in on how little we know about what it’s like for females in Afghanistan.