Bol

Honour killing...Eunuchs...police corruption...and, money laundering like you have never seen before...just the tip of this iceberg...intersex, prostitute breeding...

With the line at the beginning: Throw away these Burkas...And make a life for yourself...

It would be easy to say that this film is anti-Islamic...it certainly is not a promotional film for new recruits...it is about fastidious religious adherence...the fundamentalist who falters and is able to justify himself...all in the name of religion...that literal interpretation that has caused so much trouble and heartbreak.

Most atrocities have occurred in the name of religion - the atrocity in Bol is a microcosm of this hackneyed excuse...it's a family led by a tyrant...all in the name of religion...sound familiar?!?

Admirably, the Pakistani censors allowed this to be released (relatively uncut) in Pakistan...and, it is now the highest grossing Pakistani film to date...simply, by doing this - signifies a change and/or the willingness to change, perhaps, is in the air.

Or, is it?

Those that would benefit most from seeing this - i.e. women - are banned by their husbands from watching television...and, forbidden to leave their homes. Let us not forget those under the Taliban-like thumb...

Yes...it is a little like preaching to the converted...those cinema-going liberals...however, those liberal neighbours may have less-liberal neighbours - watch the film...the neighbours are important.

It is, by no means, a perfect film - it is a powerful film.

The musical sequences are redundant (and terrible), the stutter is redundant, too many scenes (usually involving a guitar and horrendous camera work) are vacuous...cut out 30 minutes or so...and the power will increase exponentially.

Some characters are grossly mis-managed, others grossly under-managed and, some should not have been included in the final cut...

Sehbai's performance is, at the beginning, too abrupt and over-played...but, to his credit, it does improve and becomes a credible tormented Judas...in an Islamic context.

The structure - the two distinct halves - interspersed with the predictable prattling journalist is...too simplistic, too unsatisfying...too meagre in the first half's resolution.

That said...all in the name of constructive criticism...

This film, Bol, is an astounding example of cinema...at its bravest.

Oscar-worthy...definitely - with a few cuts.

Trailer...