Son of a Lion (2007) Reviews

• Beautiful story

  paulmartin-22008-09-01

  This film is an impressive accomplishment by Gilmour. Sure, it's a little rough around the edges, but that also has its appeal, especially given the extremely difficult circumstances under which the film was made. Gilmour travelled to the North West frontier of Pakistan, where foreigners are not allowed. At great personal risk (and with ongoing risk to the local villagers), Gilmour filmed in a clandestine manner using nonprofessionals. It's a simple story, not unlike many Iranian films. An eleven-year old boy, Niaz, works for his father, Sher Alam, an old Mujhadeen who fought against the invading Russians during the long war against Afghanistan. Sher Alam makes guns but Niaz just wants to go to school. I love the way the film assumes the child's perspective. Niaz doesn't want much, but he wants it bad. There's a heart-breaking struggle to achieve his seemingly unattainable goal, and the cultural aspect woven into the film is beautiful. My seven year old also enjoyed Son of a Lion. There is one brief scene where an animal is slaughtered and we covered his eyes (and ours) for it. All kudos to Gilmour for making this film. This is an example of world cinema made with passion and commitment, with respect for both the subjects of the film and the audience. Gilmour has no background in film-making. He spent time with these people and decided he wanted to tell a fictionalised version of their story. I highly recommend it.

• Wonderful

  goqazi2009-03-11

  You can't compare Sher Alam Miskin with Daniel Day-Lewis to compare the movie with "Last of the Mohicans" but given the conditions and locations the movie is shot in and the resources Ben had, this is probably the best one can produce. The way Pashtun nation and Pashtun culture is presented is great. Of course all Pashtuns are not the same way but the place where story of the movie belongs to is pretty much the same. The dialogs are very realistic and you will find almost same discussions in every Hujra (the place where Male Pashtuns set and discuss and solve everyday issues).Views about US are not different than what are shown in the movie. As the actors are not professional, they have executed the dialogs with typical Pashtun accent and natural way that make it very realistic. The sound of Rabab (popular local musical instrument) is awesome, specially in one scene that is shot in a deserted place. One scene when Sher Alam meets Pite's father to complain and warn him of the consequences is typical and is the custom when Pashtun has problems with some one and they want to fix it. The last scene when Sher Alam asks Niaz how long will it take to complete his studies, is really great and Pashtun elders like Sher Alam are really unaware of it. The movie is very coherent in nature and displays it in all disciplines. Its a matter of great pride for Benjamin Gilmoure that he presented Pashtuns very honestly and truly while their own countrymen couldn't do it in "Khuda Kay Liay (In the Name of Allah)". The best thing about the movie is Pashtuns(young generation) really want change but foreign hands are making real problems for them They don't want them to change probably because they want to continue exploiting them in the name of religion and country. Wonderful .

• excellent look at NW Pakistan

  rome1-595-3902512014-06-08

  Excellent look into Pashtun society...considering it cost under $5000 to make and was filmed secretly with non professional actors makes it even more amazing. I have seen a couple of this type film that bog down from too complex a story or too many demands and overexposure of the nonprofessional "actors". This one does not....the boy does a good job the extras and other characters have short direct dialogue that avoid this fate and the action moves along at a decent pace. The maker of the film Gilmour abandoned the original script as the locals thought it stupid---thank heavens probably. What it really shows is what life is like in a part of the world you would never be able to see. It also humanizes the Taliban and Mujaheddin and makes you wonder what we (US) are doing there and why---in a real life non moralizing way. Highly recommend.

• wonderful movies

  nsubhani-241052017-05-16

  Extraordinary movie with with extraordinary cast. All credit goes to director who took ordinary people and made this wonderful movie. He (the director) also got credit that, the shows the real face of frontier which is now (KPK) Pakistan. The director put slap on western media who are wrongly exposing frontiers and there people. Actually these people are surviving there in bad condition, after US government leave there undone/ unfinished work behind. i hope other movies will come soon after this wonderful masterpiece.