Kamli is an intelligent, provocative, layered and thought-provoking film, that entertains, then teases, and ultimately sets you on an inevitable path to multiple conversations. A must watch as it releases on 3rd June across cinemas in Pakistan.
The strength of the narrative lies in the sheer fact that the writer/director aptly highlight issues like women empowerment, marital relationships, childless couples, use of religion as per our convenience and treatment of daughters-in-law, the interaction between women, loneliness, jealousy … all the trigger points that we see around us and face on a daily basis. But the manner in which the movie depicts these issues and tackles the flashpoints is so poetic, artistic & subtle that the messages sink in gradually, even after you leave the cinema.
There is the journey you traverse while watching the movie, and then the one you experience after you leave the cinema – such is the impact of this narrative – it will continue to leave a mark on your sensibilities, even after it has left a mark.
A Peek Into The Story & Screenplay
The story revolves around two characters, Hina and her nand played by Sania Saeed. How loneliness and desire move them towards a single event in life that sets their calm and controlled life upside down with Nimra Bucha and Omair Rana’s couple entering their lives to fulfill their emptiness of not having a child.
Sarmad Khoosat and writer Fatima have managed to envelope a host of multiple emotions and thoughts in this one relationship. Sarmad has also very intelligently brought in the one life force that drives us all – desire, be it sexual, be it for freedom, or be it for plain survival. He evokes many feelings within the viewer, albeit with caution and intelligence, then maneuvers the audience into experiencing curiosity, till he ultimately transforms them into that emotionally invested viewer who wants to save the hero of the film at any cost.
What else do you want when you go to watch a movie?
The script is not mere dialogue but an intelligent screenplay employed to convey twists, emotions, and multiple messages. The movie does not deliver monologues or tiresome conversations between characters that will test audiences, yet the message is loud & clear.
Unforgettable Performances
Saba Qamar as Hina is enchanting and mysterious. You will find yourself completely engrossed in her journey and will travel along with her, experiencing her emotions. Saba speaks with her eyes and body. Hina’s pain, happiness, her childlike discovery of life are portrayed beautifully by Saba. It is commendable how Saba as Hina exudes desire, teases you, but with an innocence, and then engulfs you in her emotional turmoil.
Sania Saeed proves she can never turn out a clichéd act, she will never offer a performance where we will not appreciate her work and craft.
Her expressions are spine chilling and her character will surprise you at moments in the narrative when you least expect it. You thought you knew her, but then again, did you, really? As per Sania’s own words, it was a character that was intensely challenging. Yet, she nailed it with absolute mastery & panache!
The film also employs animals and natural elements abundantly which is extremely refreshing to the eye and offers a pleasant break from our social media heavy life.
Sarmad Khoosat deserves to be lauded for not underestimating the intelligence of the audiences. He has presented many themes symbolically, and you certainly feel achieved deciphering those clues. But he then also wraps up each loose thread of the narrative as we reach the end of the storytelling.
Brilliant Storytelling
Kamli is testament to the immense talent that exists in Pakistan. The cinematography is breathtaking, intelligent, and symbolic. Oh, it is magical in its own way. It is a pure treat to just take in the scenes. The team’s passion reflects in the fact that they found a relatively new location, a valley, and showcased soothing views of Pakistan’s landscape. You will want to visit the location after watching the film. Special mention to DOP Owais Gohar, who has utilized camera angles with originality and given us several shots that give the film its own feel and mystery.
What is best about Kamli is that if you look at each and every element of the film in isolation – a script by Fatima Sattar, cinematography, set design, music, sound, editing by Saim Sadiq and Nadeem Abbas, color grading by Fatima Sattar, costume design by Usama Jallandhar, and direction by Sarmad Khoosat – each one of them holds strong in its own place, and is a reflection of the thought, hard work and a refreshingly original mindset. Hence when you place these separate, puzzle pieces together, in harmony with each other, you get a masterpiece like Kamli.
Director Sarmad Khoosat has proved that Pakistani cinema can produce quality films that captivate audiences, entertain us and also make us think. He leaves zero space for filmmakers to use any excuses for not giving us a cinematic experience jo dil jeet le.
The music and choreography must be appreciated & acknowledged – A superb effort on the musical score from Saad Sultan. In addition, Reshma jee’s vocals will teleport you to another level and as you walk out, you’ll be humming the song.
Congratulations we finally have a film that has a climax and owns it, and that makes you undergo a spectrum of emotions from stress to anxiety till you are sitting on the edge of your seat. And all this, despite screening a slightly slow-paced artistic drama genre.
The movie also introduces a new and promising face – Hamza Khawaja who holds his place commendably before veteran actors.
Nimra Bucha and Omair Rana also treat us to a formidable, lifelike portrayal of a married couple facing their own set of challenges.
When you walk out of the cinema, your mind will be flooded with questions, full of theories… you will find yourself pondering over many aspects of the film. The best part? We can vouch for the fact that a particular scene and dialogue will hold entirely different meaning and perhaps, leave a different impression on each and every person who watches the movie.
