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    Film Review: My Pure Land

    Written by: Samar F. Zia
    Posted on: September 18, 2017 | | 中文

    Syed Tanveer Hussain as Baba, talks to his daughters from behind bars

    My Pure Land is a first of many things, but most importantly it is the first time an Urdu film has been submitted by Britain in the Foreign Language category of the Oscar Race. The movie first played at the Edinburgh International Film Festival to great acclaim, and has recently premiered in London. Sadly, the cinema was mostly empty at the first screening, however, the film did not disappoint.

    Sarmad Musud’s debut feature, My Pure Land (Meri Pak Zamin) narrates an unfortunate yet common tale of property dispute and land grabbing. With feminism at its core, the movie relays the true story of Sindh’s Nazo Dharejo, who engaged in a heroic battle to protect her land. With just the right amount of gunshots, minimal bloodshed, an army of bandits, and outnumbered good guys, My Pure Land can easily be defined as a contemporary Western based in the East. This delightful form of guerrilla film-making brings to light an unjust and uncaring system that leaves individuals to fend for themselves with whatever means necessary.

    Nazo watches from the roof of her house as bandits arrive

    Suhaee Abro as Nazo, awaits the arrival of bandits

    The story captures numerous levels of Pakistani society, from the corrupt law enforcement agencies that survive on bribery to domestic relationships and family feuds. Scenes morph from cheery wedding processions, to darkly contrasting dingy prison environs and funerals. Shedding light on jirga’s and professional thugs, My Pure Land manages to encapsulate culture to the max in a short ninety-two minutes, delivering a comprehensive overview of rural middle-class life owing to its realistic dialogue and subtle acting.

    Ahsan Murad as Nazo's uncle, Mehrban

    Ahsan Murad as Nazo's uncle, Mehrban

    One of the main protagonists of the film is Nazo (Suhaee Abro), a confident and strong young woman, raised as such by her father (Syed Tanveer Hussain), a non-conventional male in a patriarchal society, and a supportive yet independent-thinking mother (Razia Malik). Suhaee Abro portrays Nazo brilliantly, with much-needed vulnerability, but also the strength to take up charge in the face of threats from Uncle Mehrban (Ahsan Murad), the antagonist. As a classical dancer, Suhaee’s portfolio is quite strong but as an actress, she has appeared in mostly supportive roles in Pakistani television dramas. Film directors would do well to take a leaf out of Masud’s book, for Suhaee is decidedly talented. Syed Tanveer Hussain, a theatre actor, fits right into his role of Baba, while the rest of the cast is also well-suited to their characters.    

    (Left to Right) Nazo's brother, Syed Tanveer Hussain as Baba, Eman Malik as Nazo's sister Saeda, Razia Malik as Nazo's mother Waderi, Suhaee Abro as Nazo

    (L-R) Nazo's brother, Baba, Eman Malik as Saeda, Razia Malik as Waderi and Nazo

    For a feminist venture, it is great to see female characters that lack the unnecessary coyness; instead they are innocent and straightforward as well as realistically fearful but strong in dangerous situations. Prevalent patriarchal views about women are depicted and defeated by the transformation in Nazo, when her father and brother are unjustly jailed and murdered by law enforcers. The film also casts light on religion, and as a refreshing change it doesn’t focus on Islam being an oppressive faith, twisted and manipulated for worldly gains by people of influence. Instead, Islam is represented via storytelling, with dialogues used to paint the faith as a guide and a code of conduct. This further adds authenticity and contemplative plausibility to the film.

    Razia Malik as Nazo's mother waits for the bandits

    Razia Malik as Waderi

    The movie oscillates in time, simultaneously depicting the present and swinging back to events leading to the current situation. Without any demarcations, this switch is initially confusing, but provides context as the film proceeds. Some of the most powerful scenes are those that blend the present, with snippets of Nazo’s memories of past events, adding a surreal dimension to the film. Noteworthy is the scene where she has the flashback of a wedding procession while surrounded by bandits.

    Scenes of rural Pakistan in the film

    Scenes of rural Pakistan

    Shot against a backdrop of rural Pakistan, the movie manifests itself as aesthetically pleasing. The romantic cinematography and subdued pace is in gentle contrast with the urgency of the plot, where life, death and honour play out with equal significance, producing in the audience feelings of tension, excitement, hope and fear. My Pure Land is not a typical Pakistani movie, but one that will definitely resonate with local movie-buffs.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

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    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021