Norwegian director, actress and writer, Iram Haq took many years to finally write What Will People Say. In telling this deeply personal story she grappled to find the right tone that would be both a cry for the girls lost to “honour” kidnappings and an attempt to understand the struggles of immigrant families.
The years of waiting were worth it.
Nisha is a 16 year old, Norwegian-born Pakistani. She lives with her warm and loving, middle-class family, in a small city. A hard-working and extremely bright student, who is particularly close to her father, she is also trying to have a “normal” Western adolescence. When those two worlds collide, Nisha’s life descends into horrific chaos.
Young actor Maria Mozdah is outstanding as Nisha. She is able to give us the confusion, disbelief and anger, along with the visceral need to remain part of her family. Adil Hussain gives the performance of a life-time as Nisha’s father, Mirza. The scenes between the two of them spark with an electricity rarely seen on screen other than between lovers.
Haq wrote and directed this work, and her humanity, love and…yes…anger…inform every shot. The screenplay, in both Norwegian and Urdu, is impeccable. Nadim Carlsen’s cinematography is both epic and detailed.
This work never flags. It is consistently engaging: almost relentless. It is harrowing, emotionally exhausting, constantly surprising, and flawless.
Interestingly, based as this is on Haq’s own adolescence, her father actually encouraged her to write this film. That, in itself, says something for the power of authentic story-telling.
What Will People Say will stay with you. You will not be the same after you have seen it.
But you must, must, must, see it.
What Will People Say screens as part of the Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival, opening on July 18th, at both Palace Nova Eastend and Prospect.
Check out the full program here.
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