ACT OF DSIHONOUR (Canada 2010) **
Directed by Nelofer Pazira

Director Nelofer Pazira plays a Canadian Afghan woman who visits her birthplace Afghanistan, working as an English/Dari translator for a film crew.  Mehgan (Pazira) befriends a local bride-to-be, Mena (Marina Golbahari) and indirectly causes ruin in her life by having her commit an ACT OF DISHONOUR.

Pazira’s film begins as a puzzle.  A boy shoots a man convicted of death.  He laughs out loud just as he is being shot.  No explanation is offered and one first assumes the boy to be his son, though the audience learns later that the boy is not, but grown up as a man about to be wed.  The next scene follows this same man on a bus with a local saying that this should be the happiest moment in his life.  One assumes him to be married.  Pazira is fond of such teasing by introducing new characters unexplained till later.  Though this tactic keeps her audience on their toes, the film can be confusing at times.  Thankfully, all comes explained towards the film’s end.

The ACT OF DISHONOUR is only revealed after the first half of the film has past.  Mena is the one who has committed the act, under the influence of Mehgan who should have known better than to force her ideas on Mena.  The film illustrates in this way, the clash of cultures, thoughts and ways of life in Afghanistan and Canada.  (Mehgan lives in Canada.)

Pazira shows the quiet beauty of Afghanistan from the barren brown mountain slopes to the colourful cloths, houses and foodstuffs.  The tragedy reaches its peak with Mena almost shot for her seemingless harmless deed (when looked upon from a western point of view.)

ACT OF DISHONOUR bears more meaning in the light of the recent news event when an elderly Pakistani murdered his daughter-in-law in the Toronto GTA claiming it an honour killing.  The man was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and this film sheds a light on the little value of life placed by certain cultures.