As the documentary rightly points out at one point, the term "honour killing" is a misnomer as what occurs is plain and simple murder. To recount the story of Banaz in a way that does not seek to sensationalise or show disrespect to her is not something veteran filmmakers could do let alone a debutante documentary filmmaker, yet music producer Deeyah delivers a piece that is brutally honest, captivating and haunting all at once.
We are taken on the journey of her Kurdish community without prejudice and given the background of some their tribal customs before being told via Banaz's brave sister Bekhal Mahmod how she and her sister put up with mistreatment at the hands of the men in their family. Deeyah's questioning style quickly lines up the interviewees adeptly, introducing police accounts and showing chilling footage of Banaz's statements to the authorities on the abuse she faced at the hands of her husband. The facts are presented as such with little commentary from the filmmaker to influence or bias, as the case itself is so shocking that it is impossible not to feel disheartened and disgusted by what Banaz must have had to endure.
When we are introduced by third party accounts of the young man she fell in love with, Rahmat, it is clear she is a scarred young woman who has not given up hope and refuses to let her experiences end her happiness. Although never seen on screen, Rahmat's presence is very much felt and the delicate way in which his love with Banaz is described forms the foundation of much of the information that came to light after her death and helped bring her killers to justice.
The screening room was silent throughout and every seat occupied by people of every culture and creed. They shook their heads in disbelief at what was on screen and how the authorities failed to recognise a young woman's cries for help and at the end there were tears in some's eyes.
Banaz Mahmod didn't deserve to die or be treated the way she was. This documentary highlights a growing problem within every community and raises questions that need answering by the police, by those who hear about honour killings and keep quiet and encourages hope through the actions of those who helped bring her murderers to justice.
With a difficult subject, groundbreaking access to information and a gripping narrative, 'Banaz - A Love Story' is simply riveting and meaningful reporting at its best.
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