HBO Takes Afghan Doc

NEW YORK: HBO Documentary Films has acquired the U.S. rights to a special about the kidnap and murder of an Afghani interpreter by the Taliban, for broadcast on the premium channel this summer.

Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi will have its North American premiere on April 25 at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival, with broadcast slated for HBO in August. "HBO is the best home I know of for documentaries in this country, said director Ian Olds, who previously worked on Occupation: Dreamland. "They have a long track record of offering great non-fiction programming. I’m thrilled that Fixer will have its broadcast premiere on HBO."

The doc feature follows the relationship between an Afghan interpreter and his client, the American journalist Christian Parenti.