Son of a Lion

Madman (Rental Release 2009

R4 DVD

Reviewer: Bob Estreich

In the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, on the Afghanistan border, is the town of  Darra. For generations its men have made weapons. Niaz is the eleven year old son of Sher Alam, a local weapon maker and ex-Mujahideen fighter in Afghanistan. He is expected to follow in his father's trade, but Niaz has no interest in gunsmithing – he wants to go to school and learn to read and write. His father has forbidden this, but his uncle is trying to get Niaz enrolled before he is too old. The film looks at the clash of cultures between the old and proud Pashtun warrior traditions and the change to a more modern outlook. Niaz is caught in the middle.

The different attitudes show up in the discussions of  the men in the evening at the tea house. They are politically aware, and the contrasting attitudes are summed up by the men themselves – advocates for the old ways, based on their Islamic beliefs, or a more progressive outlook to allow Islam to be acceptable to the rest of the world. They are aware that they are all generically regarded as terrorists, although they are just hardworking people trying to make a living. They are also well aware of the terrorists and the political problems on their doorstep. Some have fought in the Afghan war against the Russians, where they were themselves labeled as terrorists. This is all set against a background of gunfire as the buyers try out their new weapons. The village is more affected by the accidental deaths due to stray shots than by any war. Sher Alam starts to feel that the villagers are taking Niaz’ side against him, and the tension between father and son grows.

The film is set against the harsh, beautiful mountain scenery of the area. It has no political point to make, and may even have been neutralized a little to remain inoffensive so the viewer can absorb the spectacular scenery and the rich culture and the people. This is appropriate, since the story is seen from Niaz’ point of view as a child, not a politically aware adult. In so many ways they are just normal people living a normal life with normal problems, and we can identify easily with them. Against this normalcy, Niaz’ wish to be educated is all the more significant. Something that we take for granted is denied to him because of the old narrow culture (represented by his father) holding back change.

The film is subtitled in white, and the titles are sometimes lost against the background. This is the only flaw of note that I found in the film. Australian director and writer Benjamin Gilmour has done a brilliant job bringing out the people and their culture, rough bits and all. All the actors are locals. His original script was intended to correct some of the stranger Western ideas about Islamic life, but it was rewritten after consulting with the local people.  Although their acting skills are not great, for a simple story in a low-budget film they have turned out an excellent, sensitive and thoroughly entertaining work.