Pakistan/Fr/Ger 2003


Score:
***

Director:
Sabiha Sumar

Set in 1979 Pakistan when General Zia-ul-Haq took power firing Islamic nationalism, SILENT WATERS centres its story on a village Muslim widow, Ayesha (Kirron Kher) and her interaction of her beloved son, Saleem (Aamir Malik). She has all her hopes on him. But Saleem falls prey to the attraction of the city of Lahore and soon takes up with a group of Islamic fundamentalists.

Director Sumar’s film is rich in history, drawing from the past when the Indians and Pakistanis were divided in their sub-continent in 1947. Though the people of different religions lived as neighbors, they were at war with each other. Women were particularly at threat, from the males. They were often killed by their own for fear of being captured and raped by the enemy. If the latter happens, they are forced into servitude to bear children in shame. Ayesha is one such victim. Sumar also contrasts the daily chores of the villagers (both men and women) with the politics going on elsewhere throughout the country.  Effective are scenes in which religious chanting are then followed by those of women relaxing from the chores or a village barber cutting his customer’s hair. What good would fighting for any religion have to do with leading anyone leading a better life? For one, widow Ayesah has her own problems, surviving on her pension. The transformation in Saleem’s behaviour is disturbing in the way he begins mistreating his devoted girlfriend and his mother. 

One wishes that Sumar’s film would have a happy ending where everyone is reconciled.  But this will no doubt compromise the film’s theme (Hollywood style) and the message of the importance of individuality and personal honour compromised. Director Sumar has made controversial documentaries for Channel Four Television and her experience shows.

Review by Gilbert Seah.