When the Taliban threaten Afghan filmmaker Hassan Fazill, he, his wife Nargis, and their two young daughters flee the country. Filmed over the course of several years, “Midnight Traveler” thrillingly documents the family’s escape and subsequent search for a safe haven. A creative wrinkle is that Hassan, his wife (also a filmmaker), and their children shoot the smartphone footage that comprises this feature-length movie. As scientists have often noted, the act of observing a phenomenon can change what’s happening. In “Midnight Traveler,” the camera’s presence becomes part of the story, often magnifying the terror, but at times creating humorous interludes.

We’re sharing the trailer here. The full documentary is available at Amazon Prime.

Scene from “Midnight Traveler”

Forty minutes into the movie, after Hassan has complimented the appearance of a female refugee,  the husband and wife get into a far-ranging discussion. Many couples might consider the conversation too private to share, but ultimately, the Fazills consider it part of their story. During the dialogue, Nargis

Husband: You’re upset with me.

Wife: I’m not upset. I just don’t like that.

Husband: For real.

Wife: I’m not one of those people and I don’t want you to be the type to compliment other women. (laughs)

Husband: Just because you have a problem.

Wife: No, it’s your problem.

Husband: You think everyone else is bad too.

Wife: No, I’m not bad. I’m not the one saying bad things. And don’t film this conversation.

Husband: And if I film this, what are you going to do?

Wife: Because…If othrs see it, they’ll think we’re like this.

Husband: You’re supposed to be an artist. A filmmaker. How is it different. I may work with a thousand people in film. I may act with women in a film.

Wife: That’s fine. We’ve both acted and worked with a thousand people. I don’t have a problem with that. But talking this way with someone else, I don’t like it.

Husband: I may be acting in a film, where I have to kiss a woman. What will you do?

Wife: How dare you kiss another woman. But seriously, I’ve acted in movies. I don’t have a problem with it. I myself have acted in movies where I was someone else’s wife. I dressed another man, and I don’t do that in real life. I did it in a film. That’s different. That’s my point. (laughs)

Wife: Good Lord

Husband: You can’t be a filmmaker with this mentality.

Wife: I’ll be a very successful filmmaker.

Husband: It’ll be hard with this mentality.

Wife: No, no. You think that people who do whatever they want are filmmakers? But peoplewho have some judgment can’t make films? What you said is wrong. It’s because of this kind of talk that many Afghans call cinema corrupt. This is exactly their problem with it.

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The editors of MobileMovieMaking have chosen “Midnight Traveler” as a Mobile Movie of the Week.