Condemned Film Attracts Throngs in Pakistan

Despite being condemned by radical clerics, who issued a fatwa against it, the film Khuda Ke Liye (In the Name of God) has become an unqualified hit in Pakistan, Newsweek is reporting on its website. Produced by the Pakistani media conglomerate GEO TV Network, the film not only unfavorably depicts Muslim radicals but also the U.S. military, and takes on such issues as marital rape, forced marriage and jihad, the magazine says. Concerned by the attacks on the film by local mullahs, theater owners are requiring ticket buyers to pass through metal-detection devices as they enter. “It’s heroic for the population to want to see this film,” GEO TV chief Mir Ibrahim Rehman told Newsweek. “We didn’t want to make a popcorn film. We wanted this film to prompt a dialogue and discussion.”

I just wanted to put it out there as further argument that pop culture, like movies and songs, can be political and create alternative dialogues and still be, well, popular and able to reach a broad segment of a country’s population.

I am tempted towards a cynical formulation: the elite bourgeoisie of a society enlists random people to ventriloquize its complaints in a feel good video – these people are not us, this is not us, although as Vinod insinuates (or maybe not?), they could also be a bunch of beautiful people telling the rest that that they are chumps.

But I will hold that implied criticism of the video – which I am inclined to agree with – in abeyance to pose a series of questions: who are “these people” then? And what are “we” if we are not these people? The video communicates, I am sure, the genuine despair (certainly worthy of empathy) of those who are horrified at those within their own societies who blow themselves up in rage. But we are not all “basically people”. This is a fractious public sphere differentiated by economic, material and ideological variations. The video takes great comfort in emphatic pronouncements and hopes that its reach will encompass those outside of its urbane, cosmopolitan vision of humanism, those who cannot be urged to mouth these words.

I think this underscores the fact that, despite borders and differing geopolitical histories, and religions, people are basically people. We have a lot in common, and very little that is different between us.

Very moving indeed (although I do agree with the earlier poster about that black-leather jacket-clad guy emoting waaay too much for the cameras … sheesh).

So powerful! I’m incredibly happy that it’s been released and is so popular.

Who are all those singers (single gals would like to know…)

Also, this isn’t the only voice of reason in Pakistan. Most tv dramas in Pakistan are all about social issues. Most of them speaking out against cruelty and injustice of all kinds. In addition, you have Sufi saints, poets whose eloquent words of love and inclusiveness are still sung by the majority of musicians in Pakistan. Many people have spoken out throughout history and continue to do so today against bigotry, violence etc. This is not a western or eastern idea. Much like the horrible side of people, this positive side is also simply human, regardless of ethnicity.