[Review] The Girl's House (Khane Dokhtar) film (2015)

The Girl’s house was probably my first middle eastern film that I have ever seen in my life. Unlike the films made in the west, I have rather no expectations and I do not know what should I even expect from the film. I know it is going to be a bit tougher for me to write a review on something that is outside of my known comfort zone and a topic that is strange to me.

Khane Dokhtar working poster (Pic Cred: Takta Movie)

There is not much information about this movie that I could grab online either other than the synopsis and the trailer. The only thing that I got to know was from a friend was that the main actor is super famous and very good looking (he is not my cup of tea, thats all). So basically I went into the theatre with just puzzlement really. 

Vid Cred: Iranian Media Box Youtube

Another thing that amuses me was that this film tells the story from a contemporary setting. Being from a muslim country myself, I grew up and had the mind set that all middle eastern ladies would be covered strictly in black hijab. Boy I was not wrong. In the back ground and most of the by stander was still wearing that but the intended actresses were wearing bold colours and has pretty make ups and they are a contemporary with western made movies as well. 

The first thing I saw in this film is obviously the subject matter. Suicide in particular is a damned act in the islamic religion. What more that it was done in a strict islamic country where the law probably prohibit it. Also the character is painted as educated (she was in a graduate school) as well as aware of the right and wrong in the norm of society.

The story started with an opening of the girl’s (Samira) death being revealed on the eve of her wedding day. Everyone that has a connection with her was made a suspect as the story peels layers of her backstory. Though a whole lot of the moments was implied instead of showing them directly on screen. Although the emotion did translate on screen beautifully. 

Mid-way through the movie, it got a little complicated as the line between the current and a flash back was not clearly drawn. But no worries, the way of the movie would suck you right back in to what the director was trying to say. The actress who played Samira and her little sister  was really good at playing with emotion with their eyes. The close up on their faces really works especially when her little sister’s emotion changed from joyous to sorrow at the end of the movie. 

The second thing that grabbed me was the issue of virginity before marriage. Though it is not impossible in the olden days for mother in laws to be to strictly check the virginity of their daughter in laws but in the modern times, it is considered rude almost to the point of disgracing some one when those things are being done. Then the issue of why was she afraid to tell? Then again, there are a whole lot of reason for a young unmarried ladies not to be a virgin. 

Though at some point of the movie an extra did shout that she saw Samira jumped from the bridge, but did she really? Was she coerced? Was she pushed? Okay I may seem to make up stories in my mind, but these question came up. Though, when asked, the director just smiled and said, “if those questions did not cross your mind, then this movie is not well done” which meant, it was intended to be puzzling in the end. 

On with the thoughts about other thing than the plot. The filmography was interesting and has a huge amount of close up which usually is a bust but it works perfectly with this film. Then the scenery was not breathtaking but it was quite amazing, a scene that many of not most of the western filmography would not even consider for their background. And the contrast between generations, social classes and also gender was greatly balanced and clearly shown. Though the blurring factor between classes and gender was done by Samira and her was to be husband (Mansoor).

Honestly I am very conflicted to rate this movie. An excellent movie, yet is very unsatisfying. Stellar cast of young actors coupled with a superb directing, but there are moments that makes the drama too hazy that most if not many of the audience stunned in confusion. By saying this, I do not mean the cliff hanger ending, but also some of the relations that come into the picture. 

All in all I would give this film a very deserving eight out of ten stars (8/10). Again stellar cast and amazing direction. I would love it if the film would have a sequel. Or even a short story to just bind the story itself. In my opinion the film was left hanging rather than left as a cliffhanger. I felt like though the director wants the audience to have an open perspective on the film and just stress on the issues at hand rather than implying there is a solution, but leaving the audience with too many question and having the middle of the story as the ending was a little annoying for me. 

Although, if this film is being shown in any theatre, I would love to have the chance to watch it again. I would highly recommend this film to everyone who have an opinion about the degree of freedom they have on women and the understanding that not every question is appropriate to be asked no matter the relation or status you are, not unless the woman/girl in question gives you the green light to do so. There are sacred places, and secret parts of women that are not to be violated by anyone especially men. One last thing: men, protect your women, no matter if she is your sister,mother, cousin, friend or even enemy, the soul of women are fragile, the smallest thing can trigger the biggest of ripple. 

Love and kisses,

GWRL