Dukhtar

In a remote village in Pakistan, a young girl named Zainab is promised to an older man in marriage by her father. To save her daughter from this fate, Zainab's mother, Allah Rakhi, flees with her, embarking on a perilous journey across the country. They face numerous dangers as they try to escape the 'Watta Satta' tradition and reach safety, with Allah Rakhi determined to protect Zainab's future.

Dukhtar received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling, direction, and performances. It was lauded for shedding light on the deeply ingrained patriarchal traditions in parts of Pakistan and for its portrayal of a mother's fight for her daughter's freedom. The film was praised for its sensitive handling of a difficult subject matter and its suspenseful narrative.

• A gripping and emotional journey that highlights the struggles of women in patriarchal societies.

• Praised for its strong performances, particularly from Samia Mumtaz as the determined mother.

• Offers a vital glimpse into cultural traditions and the fight for individual autonomy.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's compelling story and its exploration of important social issues. Many highlighted the emotional impact and the strength of the mother-daughter relationship as key strengths, though some found the pacing to be deliberate.

Selected as the Pakistani entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards. It also won awards at various film festivals, including Best Film at the Montreal World Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Bergen International Film Festival.

The film was inspired by director Afia Nathaniel's own experiences and observations of child marriage and the fight against it in Pakistan, aiming to bring these issues to a global audience.