Silent Waters (2004)

70% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(837 ratings)

Pakistani filmmaker Sabiha Sumar directs the political drama Khamosh Pani (Silent Waters). Set in a small Pakistani village in 1979, the film follows widowed family matriarch Ayesha (Kirron Kher) as she struggles under the martial law that declares her country a Muslim state. Her teenage son Saleem… More Pakistani filmmaker Sabiha Sumar directs the political drama Khamosh Pani (Silent Waters). Set in a small Pakistani village in 1979, the film follows widowed family matriarch Ayesha (Kirron Kher) as she struggles under the martial law that declares her country a Muslim state. Her teenage son Saleem (Aamir Malik) is encouraged by his wealthy girlfriend Zubeida (Shilpa Shukla) to get a job. However, he ends up hanging out with a bunch of Muslim fundamentalists and causing trouble for the Sikh pilgrims. Meanwhile, Ayesha remembers secrets from her past awakened by the arrival of the Sikh pilgrim Jaswant (Navtej Johar). Silent Waters won the Golden Leopard award at the 2003 Locarno International Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Sabiha Sumar
Written By: Sabiha Sumar
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 8, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Sep 20, 2005
Studio: First Run Features

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Even behind the veil, the movie tells us, there is dissent -- cinematic dissent.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Silent Waters means well, but falls way short of its mark of enlightening the world to the plight of South Asian women in this period of history. It just isn't believable enough.
John Anderson, Newsday
The filmmakers provide a well-meaning, well-timed Pakistani portrait.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Although taking place 25 years in the past, director-writer Sabiha Sumar's debut feature has relevance in the world as we now know it.
Joshua Land, Village Voice
Sabiha Sumar's debut feature could scarcely be more relevant to Pakistan's present, or, given this country's history of backing such repressive regimes, to ours.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
The forcefulness of its message makes it a rewarding cinematic experience.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
Puts you in the middle of the action and allows you to understand, if not empathize with, all the main characters.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Leaden and dull.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
An interesting, if incomplete, picture of a community torn apart by religious zealotry.
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Swirls amid memory and dreams while reflecting how much is masked by two-faced rhetoric, and how overlooked the victims of patriarchal nationalism and Islamism are.
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
By the time you understand the meaning of its title, Sabiha Sumar's film has delivered an emotional punch.
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
As a moviegoing experience, it's a sadly slim proposition.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...sporadically intriguing film that's ultimately sunk by director Sabiha Sumar's occasionally simplistic and melodramatic treatment of the material.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
An indictment of intolerance, Silent Waters is a truly powerful picture, and of the sort that sneaks up on you and stays with you long after you've left the theatre.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Gripping and ultimately tragic.
Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine
A more nuanced approach would have better articulated their allure to impressionable youth.
David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor
Stirring on religious and humanitarian levels, and very timely notwithstanding its 1979 setting.
Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
...it presents an engaging and informative depiction of Pakistan's tumultuous history from an intimate perspective.