Now silent under Taliban, a Kabul cinema awaits its fate

Rahmatullah Ezati plays back a film roll in the projectionist room of the Ariana Cinema in Kabul, Afghanistan. The cinema's staff still show up at work every day hoping they will eventually get paid, despite the Taliban's orders to stop operating. (AP photo)

Gul Mohammed, who works as a host in the Ariana Cinema, poses for a photograph in Kabul. After seizing power three months ago, the Taliban ordered cinemas to stop operating.(AP photo)

Rahmat Shah, who works as a host, poses for a photograph inside the Ariana Cinema in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP photo)

Abdul Malik Wahidi, who sells tickets at Ariana Cinema, poses for a photograph in the ticketing office in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP photo)

Staff members share a meal together in the Ariana Cinema in Kabul. (AP photo)

Staff members sit inside the ticket office of the Ariana Cinema in Kabul. (AP photo)

Rahmatullah Ezati looks out to the theatre of the Ariana Cinema from the projection room in Kabul. Ezati, a movie enthusiast, is a projectionist at the cinema, which is no longer operating, on orders from the Taliban. (AP photo)

Abdul Malik Wahidi, who sells tickets at Ariana Cinema, browses through unsold tickets in Kabul. (AP photo)

The empty theater of the Ariana Cinema in Kabul. (AP photo)

A vase with fake roses stands inside the ticket office of the Ariana Cinema in Kabul.(AP photo)