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The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner is a 2007 feature film adaptation of the 2003 novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini. The film tells the story of Amir, a young Afghan boy who is tortured with guilt when he has to leave his friend behind during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. As this film was produced in and around Kashgar, Xinjiang Autonomus Region, China (as it has a similar environment to Afghanistan) all the weaponry in the film is of Chinese origin. There is a level of authenticity in the use of Chinese firearms in the film, as the Taliban were known for extensively using Chinese firearms during their five year occupation of Afghanistan. The film was directed by Marc Forster and executive produced by Sam Mendes.
The following weapons were used in the film The Kite Runner:
Pistols
Tokarev TT-33
Though the pistol itself is not explicitly seen, a TT-33 holster is seen on the side of a Soviet officer.
Assault Rifles
Norinco Type 56
Taliban members and Pakistani border guards are seen with Norinco Type 56 assault rifles. A number of Soviet Army soldiers are also seen armed with early model milled receiver Norinco Type 56 rifles (without the folding bayonet attached, though retaining the mounting hardware) in the scenes set during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Since most of the scenes for Kabul and Afghanistan was filmed in Kashgar, China, the production crew didn't have access to genuine Russian-made Kalashnikov rifles and had to use Chinese ones instead. It should also be noted that the real-life Taliban did extensively use the Norinco Type 56 assault rifle during their five year occupation of Afghanistan.
Norinco Type 56-1
A pair of Taliban members looking for Amir are armed with Type 56-1s.
Carbines
Norinco Type 63
Several Norinco Type 63 rifles with no bayonets are seen slung over the shoulders of Taliban guards at a public execution of adulterers. The Type 63 was distributed widely throughout Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War.
Machine Guns
DShK heavy machine gun
The DShK heavy machine gun is seen in a T-55AM MBT, mocked up as a T-72 MBT.
Degtyaryov DT
A Degtyaryov DT machine gun is seen on the wrecked remains of a T-34 MBT.
