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weblog | events | features | gallery | noticeboard | links | zine | shop | supporters | about | contact film review: Osama Review by Fiona Prior, e: mccommissions@hotmail.com Director: Siddiq Barmak Winner of the 2004 Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film Set in pre-September 11 Afghanistan Osama is the story of the impossible plight of women under the Taliban regime. Although Osama is not a documentary the casting of non-actors (the majority recruited from the orphanages and streets of Kabul), the less than 'perfect-effect' cinematography and a total lack of expensive FX give this movie an authenticity that is unmistakeable. 'Osama' the boy-child is actually a 12-year-old girl-child. Along with her mother and grandmother, 'Osama' is destitute in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. There is no male family member to provide for them - their status as 'women' makes it impossible for them, unescorted by a male, to publicly procure food and necessities ... let alone work to make the money to buy them - and as the movie begins we are surreally introduced to their impossible situation. Following a street urchin asking for money through the camera lens of a 'documentary' film-maker, we approach a scene of hundreds of burqa-wearing widows protesting that they must be allowed to work for money as they and their children are hungry. We quickly register group fear at the sound of approaching vehicles, and we then see the forces of the Taliban descend, brutally dispersing the starving women (some with children), and locking up those not quick enough to escape in cages full of poultry. Director Barmak, through character dialogue and visuals, fills in the details of these widows' lives ... many of their husbands were killed in the Kabul war or in the war with Russia and they and their female children are completely destitute. 'Osama's' mother and grandmother have the desperate idea that if they can cut their little girl's hair and dress her as a boy she can work and bring them urgently needed supplies. The ruse works for a short time before the Taliban collect all the young boys of the city for schooling and military training. We enter the all-male province of Koran recitation and other disciplines, and with heavy hearts know, along with out little heroine, that the end of her charade is only one or two mistakes away… 'Osama' (played by Marina Gobahari) with her raw acting style and natural 12-year-old's interpretation of her known subject matter, portrays not just the drama of this hopeless role but also the real vulnerability and confusion of a child who is catapulted into a horrifying and futile situation. I would encourage you to see this movie because it gives an insight into oppression that most of us could not imagine. Venues: Valhalla Cinema: 166d Glebe Point Rd (02) 9660-8050 Cremorne Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace: 380 Military Rd (02) 9908-4344 Chauvel Cinema: Oxford St (Cnr Oatley Rd) (02) 9361-5398 Osama movie website: http://www.osamamovie.com

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