Two Pakistani victims of acid attacks take center stage in this Oscar-winning HBO documentary short, which notes that as many as 100 similar attacks take place in Pakistan each year. Although co-directors Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daniel Junge interview several women, the focus here is on Zakia and Rukhsana. Zakia's drug addict husband threw battery acid on her after she attempted to divorce him. He thought he would not be punished, but he was taken in by authorities, and Zakia filed charges (which is unusual in Pakistan). With no other resources available, Rukhsana lives with the in-laws who joined her husband in attempting to burn her alive. On camera, the accused men in both cases deny any responsibility. For medical assistance, the women frequent a free clinic that receives regular visits from Dr. Mohammad Jawad, a London-based plastic surgeon. Born and raised in Pakistan, Jawad feels a responsibility to give back. Zakia also joins a support group, Acid Survivors Foundation, which makes her feel less alone, but she covers her face with a burqa and dark sunglasses whenever she leaves the house. Jawad makes arrangements to relieve some of Zakia's suffering, but the damage to the left side of her face is so extensive that he cannot fit her for a glass eye. Still, he is able to restore facial symmetry through innovative skin grafts, while a prosthetic specialist takes care of the other details. Rukhsana also looks forward to working with Dr. Jawad, but an unforeseen development forces her to wait six months. In the meantime, legislative changes are put in place—thanks to the efforts of women like Zakia and Rukhsana who went public with their plights. Highly recommended. [Note: this is also available with public performance rights for $89 for public libraries and $295 for colleges and universities from Women Make Movies, www.wmm.com.] Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
Saving Face
(2013) 40 min. DVD: $19.98. HBO Home Entertainment (avail. from amazon.com). Volume 28, Issue 4
Saving Face
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