Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness shines a light on a dark and heartbreaking topic – honour killings in Pakistan. The film follows the story of Saba, a nineteen year old Pakistani woman who miraculously survived an attempted honour killing by her father and uncle.
The film follows Saba as she reflects on her harrowing experience, which began when she fell in love with a man outside her family’s wishes. When Saba’s father and uncle discovered her plans to marry this man, they decided to attempt to murder her as punishment – an all too common act in Pakistan that is rarely punished by the law.
A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness documents Saba’s courageous struggle to break free from the grips of patriarchy while fighting for justice against those who sought to end her life. Her story is one that resonates with many Pakistani women, and serves as an important reminder about the need for change within certain cultures.
The documentary brings up tough questions about honour killings which are not easily answered, but it also does something else – it encourages viewers to take action against such acts, no matter where they are. By providing real insight into these issues, Obaid-Chinoy hopes to raise awareness and inspire others around the world to speak out against injustice.
Although it may be tempting to turn away from difficult topics like honour killings, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness forces us to confront them head on and encourages us all to help create a more equitable world for women everywhere. It is an inspiring documentary that should be watched by all those looking to make a difference in their communities and beyond.
