Bhutto: Daughter of Power

We profile the brave, controversial figure of Benazir Bhutto. Mixing private archive with insights from friends and family, this is the definitive documentary on the Bhutto dynasty.

Bhutto: Daughter of Power As a young woman, Benazir Bhutto dreamed of throwing the best parties and living in London. But she took on the mantle of political leadership, suffering years of imprisonment, before becoming the Muslim world's first female leader. Touted as a symbol of modernity and democracy, her name became synonymous with corruption and bad governance. In this unique film, Bhutto speaks frankly about the paradoxes of her life. Mixing private archive with insights from friends and family, this is the definitive documentary on the Bhutto dynasty.
Screaming Benazir Bhutto's name, over a million people crowd through the streets to welcome her back to Pakistan. It's 1987. After years of exile in England, Bhutto has returned to Lahore to claim her political legacy and oust a hated dictator. Intelligent, charismatic and resilient, much is expected from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's striking young heir.

Fast forward ten years. Twice elected Prime Minister, twice ousted from power amidst a wave of corruption charges, Bhutto contemplates her legacy from the safety of exile in Dubai. "There are things I would like to have done differently", she reflects. "Mistakes that were made". Her father's former advisor, Raja Anwar, is more critical. "She had a very, very weak administration both times when she was in government", he states. "She had no control over her ministers."

Born into one of the most affluent and powerful families of Pakistan, Bhutto had a privileged upbringing. "My family traced its roots back to the Arab conquest in 712". At the time of India's partition, her family presided over lands the size of Luxembourg. When she was a young girl, her father, Zulfikar, founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), becoming President and Prime Minister.

Benazir's school friend, Narmeen, remembers her being the class clown. "She was always trying to do something funny in class", she recalls. "I remember her having the stink bombs, squeaky cushions and things like that". Memorably, Bhutto once turned up for class wearing "a paper dress".

"My father always had the idea that I would follow in his footsteps", Bhutto states. He encouraged her to accompany him on official trips abroad and "appreciated his daughter more than his sons". Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's actions were all the more remarkable given the patriarchal nature of Pakistani society. But Benazir herself wanted a diplomatic career. "I was going to come back to London as ambassador and give the best parties anyone in London had ever given". It was only after her father was deposed by General Zia that Bhutto threw herself into politics. "She was the only source of inspiration", recalls Raja Anwar. She organised strikes and rallies, briefed the international press and fought tirelessly for her father's release.

But her efforts were in vain. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed and Benazir spent the following five years in and out of prison. "In solitary confinement, the regime took everything away from me". When she was finally released, Bhutto moved to England and dedicated herself to the overthrow of General Zia. She also entered into an arranged marriage with Asif Ali Zardari. "I liked his sense of humour". But Zardari became a political liability. Accusations he embezzled state funds led to her being dismissed as Prime Minister on grounds of corruption and misuse of office.

Ultimately, Bhutto lived her entire life in the turbulent centre of Pakistan politics. "I don't get a kick out of power", she once remarked. "I was born in power".
FULL SYNOPSIS

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