British documentary filmmaker Asad Qureshi works in the world’s most dangerous places. When he set off to film secret interviews with Taliban commanders, the award-winning filmmaker found himself on the wrong end of the camera lens, with a gun at his temple and a price of 10 million US dollars on his head. Asad would spend 165 days in captivity before his family was able to pay his ransom and secure his release. The negotiations and eventual release were coordinated by Al Qaeda intermediaries. Throughout his time as a hostage, Qureshi was tortured and humiliated, as were his fellow prisoners, several of whom would not return. This is a true, first-person account of Taliban captivity in Waziristan, the dangerous border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Above all, it provides a stark reminder of the privilege of freedom.By (author) Asad QureshiA protg of famed British film director John Schlesinger, Asad Qureshistarted work in the film industry in 1978 and has worked variously as assistant director, director, and producer.He was kidnapped in March 2010 in Waziristan, the dangerous border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Asad was released in September 2010 through family negotiations after 165 days of captivity. He heads up the independent production company Avant-garde Films.22 color photosPrisoner of the Taliban22 color photos