My Pure Land is a gripping drama film directed by Sarmad Masud and inspired by true events. This movie tells the story of a young woman who single-handedly defended her family's land from a group of bandits in rural Pakistan. Set against the picturesque backdrop of a vast and desolate landscape, the film begins with a group of men trying to force their way into a house. The camera then shifts to a flashback, which describes how the protagonist, Nazo (played by Suhaee Abro), grows up in a village where female independence is frowned upon. Her father, a feudal landlord, owes money to a gang of local thugs, and with her brothers away, her father is the only defence Nazo has against the marauding group. When her father is sent to jail for failing to pay his debts, Nazo finds herself and her mother, Mehran (Eman Malik), on their own.
The bandits, led by a vicious man named Daulat (Atif Akhtar Bhatti), who is conniving and corrupt, are determined to claim the family's land for themselves. Nazo feels she has no choice but to defend her home and the entire village against these criminals. Her father had always told her that the land was their purest possession and that they should protect it with their lives. It is now up to Nazo to take up the mantle.
As the tense stand-off continues, with the bandits surrounding the house, Nazo's strength, determination and courage grow each day. Despite being cut off from the outside world, with no electricity or running water, her quick-thinking and shrewdness enable her to outsmart the outlaws. With no men around to intervene, she takes measures as extreme as sewing explosives into the walls of her home and using a rifle to threaten her attackers.
Throughout the film, the harshness of life in rural Pakistan and the challenges that women face are highlighted. Nazo challenges gender norms and defies all expectations of her as a woman, showing immense bravery and intelligence in the face of adversity. She is a powerful symbol of resilience and hope for her family and the community.
The performances of the actresses playing Mehran and Nazo are particularly strong, bringing to life the complex mother-daughter bond between them. Eman Malik portrays the struggles of a mother who is forced to watch her daughter take on the role of protector despite her young age. Suhhee Abro gives a powerful performance, rendering Nazo's moments of vulnerability as well as her displays of grit and fortitude in equal measure.
The cinematography of the film does justice to the barren landscapes of the Pakistani countryside. The barren land and the rugged terrain of the village provide the perfect backdrop for the tense and taut storyline. The mix of real and fictional locations transports the audience to the heart of rural Pakistan.
My Pure Land is an inspiring movie that celebrates the resolute spirit of women and the power of a single determined individual to stand up to tyranny. Even though the film is based on a true story, the filmmakers embellish it with the skill of a master storyteller. They create a work that is both authentic and entertaining, paying tribute to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.