A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness

In Pakistan, more than 1000 women are annualy reported killed in so-called honor killings. The families of the deceased are often pressured to publicly forgive the perpetrators, as this allow them to walk freely from prosecution in courts. Thus, very few of these perpetrators get convicted. This documentary follows the story of 18-year old Saba, a rare survivor who lives to tell her story. Saba had fallen in love with the wrong man, and were targeted by her own father and uncle for doing so. But Saba miraculously survived, and started the difficult fight for her personal dignity and justice. The film explores the simmering tensions between modernity and tradition in modern day Pakistan. Per Eirik Gilsvik

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (b. 1978), is an Emmy and Oscar award-winning Pakistani journalist and documentary filmmaker. She has directed 18 documentaries for TV and cinema, winning a range of awards – she is the only Pakistani to have won two Oscars. Her films are often focusing on pressing social and political issues.

THE CRITICAL ROOM: HONOR KILLINGS AND WOMEN`S LEGAL RIGHTS

Film: A Girl in the River

Date and time: October 13 at 6.30 pm

Venue: Vika 1

Raising debate and awareness after winning an Oscar for best documentary short this year, the film might spur change in Pakistan. After the screening there will be a panel conversation with social commentator Iffit Quereshi, Afak Afgun (the editor of online magazine Sisterhood) and documentary filmmaker Mohammed Naqvi (Among the Believers).

The topic is the issue of honor killings and the rules of law and justice for women in Pakistan.

The conversation will be moderated by journalist and author Elisabeth Eide.