The Kite Runner

The music in this film is quite varied and ranges from traditional modern scoring to the music reminiscent of the Middle East. At the opening of the film as well as in subsequent scenes in Afghanistan, the music sounds exotic with percussion and what sounds like chimes or bells. This music serves to portray time and place and also gives the viewer a sense of adventure in the foreign land. The music during the kite tournament is not completely like this exotic music in that it is mostly strings and gives the modern sound of anticipation and hope. In the background though, some exotic elements still remain.

Once the film changes back to scenes in America, the music becomes altogether more traditional and usual underscoring from this period. This in a way also sets time and place in contrast to the music of the Middle East.

Diagetic music can be found both at Amir's birthday party and at the wedding. This music is what would be appropriate for their culture at this time period, so this underscoring gives a sense of legitimacy to the film.

Wall to wall music is not found in this film, yet a wide ride of music is used. Near the beginning humming/singing is used and a while later when Amir returns to Afghanistan an actual song with words is used as underscoring rather than diagetic music. This is an element of the score which has not occur ed very often. But the song's lyrics described the scene perfectly and added to the emotional heightening of the scene. Overall the music was good, not too much to distract from the film but just enough to give it the realistic, cinematic quality.