Silent Veil
These women do not wake up with bruises; they wake up without a face
In Pakistan, veils hide one of the country's most terrible secrets. Driven by revenge, jealousy, obsession or sexual non co-operation, some men subject their wives to horrific attacks with the acid that has become freely available in the country. Completely disfigured, the victims are often ostracized by their friends and families and become prisoners in their own homes. This chilling doc is a terrifying insight into the shattered lives of these women.
Staring out through melted eyelids, semi-blind and with her nose completely disintegrated, 21-year-old Irum Saeed tells the story of the day she lost her face. "The boy threw acid at me because he could not tolerate my parent's rejection of his proposal" says Irum, "Even today, I cannot forget the crooked smile on his face, as he ran off". Brought to the hospital by a passer-by, Irum woke up in hospital, "I asked my mother for a mirror, but she said there was nothing left look at".
When Musarrat Misbah, the owner of a Beauty Salon, met another victim, she decided to take action. Her foundation, Smile Again, is designed to bring hope to these women by providing them with the means to undergo reconstructive surgery and moral support. Because the victims endure, "Not just physical, even stronger is the inner pain, the unbearable pain".
Musarrat travels throughout Pakistan to meet not only victims, but also other Pakistanis, trying to gain insight into the cause of such a devastating issue. In educated circles there is a firm desire to tackle the problem. Author Faryal Ali Gohar maintains, "If this could be a nation where the rights that are granted to men and women by the constitution and religious texts were understood, then we would be happier". A primitive male dominant culture combined with Sharia law has left some parts of Pakistani society convinced they have a right to brutalise women for any perceived sleight. This combined with the easy access to acid and kerosene has created a dangerous social environment for women.
However, Musarrat is committed to get these women standing on their feet again. Nashreem Sharif who lost her sight when her face was burnt with acid at the age of 15, is one of just many women who have benefited from her help. Dr Losasso explains that at first she had no confidence and was extremely fearful. Today she is a qualified braille teacher, according to Dr Losasso, "Her spirit has changed too".
Both shocking and heart-breaking, this documentary shows not only the atrocious injustices that some women are subjected to in Pakistan, but also the beauty behind the scarred faces of these women who have only one wish: to put the past behind and smile again.
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Official Selection, LIDF, 2011
