Synopsis

In Afghanistan, bachas are young male prostitutes obliged to dance, dressed as girls, for a male audience. They are under the control of a master. When You Hear the Bells tells the story of Saman, a bacha, who feels threatened by the arrival of Bijane, a boy younger than him who is destined to take his place. Jealous of this boy, who might steal the feelings and protection of his master, Farroukhzad, he is obliged to initiate Bijane and to teach him to dance.