Silent Waters (Khamosh Pani: Silent Waters)

Charkhi, Pakistan, 1979.

- Red is so pretty. - It's her favourite.

- Is it enough for a shalwar-kameez? - Open it.

You think I've never dried clothes?

Catch it.

We'll get it dirty.

Ma, is the world waiting for me to get up before it starts the day?

These are modern times. No one gets up early.

Get a move on, Mr Modern Times. Clean your room.

It'll take you ages to clear up your mess.

Potatoes, carrots, onions!

- Give me 2 kilos for 6 rupees. - It's summer. That's too little

I paid 6.50.

It's summer for us too. No pickles, no lemonade? Must we all starve?

I'll give you 6.50.

On my children's lives, I can't. I'll take 7 rupees and no less.

May Allah bless you, Allabi.

Saleem, Allabi's here.

Don't you ever go to the well?

Saleem, Allabi's here.

Where have you been? You haven't come for your Koran lessons.

Summer days in 1947 seemed so much hotter.

How we ran. How did we know...

it would be for ever?

What's up?

Come on, go and clean your room.

What's this? Why two piles?

One to keep, one to go. Look.

Father bought it at the Eid fair in Pindi.

You can't keep all his gifts.

You have 15 minutes to throw out what you don't need.

It's a lifetime of earnings. I need time to decide what to keep

I'll do it for you.

- Aren't you coming? - Where?

To the mosque to pray. Where else?

The mosque'? Of course.

Surely it's not time to pray yet.

Almost.

Fine, but Saleem has a job to finish first.

All right.

Well done.

"At 1030..."

"Oh, my darling, don't keep me waiting too long."

Put that back.

- Did you get pickle spices? - I asked Saleem.

But God knows if he'll remember. His head's in the clouds.

You've spoilt him rotten. You can't be strict.

It took so many prayers for so long before he was born. He has no idea

I've been here ages

I told Ma I'd be late for school, but she kept saying "Do this, do that".

Does she suspect something?

No.

She just likes making me work

I hate housework. When I have my own house, I'll have six servants.

Then you'll have to...

marry a rich man.

No, I'll make my own wealth.

Excellent.

How'?

I'll go lo college in Pindi. It's for women only.

What will college get you besides your six servants?

A mixer, a ceiling fan and a job in a big office.

Will you be a patron of the arts too?

Maybe.

Then I've decided that I...

' Pm goin t. Really'? G O marry y°“.

Who says I'm going to marry you?

Then who will you marry?

- I have lots of admirers. - Like who?

Tell me.

Are you going to the Chaudhry wedding next week?

How can I not'?

Amin's not going.

It's the anniversary of his first wife's death.

You know what he's like.

Do you miss...

Saleem's father?

Life catches up with you.

What you have, you hold on to. What you don't, you let go.

Two countries were born.

Men abducted women.

Fathers killed their daughters.

Everyone said it was to save their honour.

Some young girls died.

Others survived.

People moved like the sea...

leaving everything behind.

Broken memories, half-dreamt dreams, places of worship.

Is this Afsaan's son?

Yes, by God's grace.

Is he working?

You're grown up now.

Time to help your mother.

Let him go, Ayesha.

But you come and see me after the wedding.

The women are inside.

Don't turn around. She's here.

May the mother-in-law be a true mother.

May the daughter-in-law be a true daughter.

- Why aren't you singing'? - Zubeida can sing

I don't know any songs. You sing

I can't

I've a dreadful cold.

They're so shy.

At your age, no threats...

could ever stop us singing.

It really troubles me...

this new-found youth of mine.

Come on, girls.

Come on, show them.

- The girl's crazy. - Yes, Ma'am.

- Bachelors are done for. - Yes, Ma'am.

- Look how she takes my heart - Yes, Ma'am.

- Come closer. - Yes, Ma'am.

A hug, please.

- Wedding food from the Chaudhrys. - I don't want their leftovers.

You can't fight a revolution on an empty stomach.

Hypocrites!

Look at the size of their house.

And look at this hole.

Landlords are all bastards.

They know how to take, not give.

Let's go, Mazhar. We'll sleep at the mosque.

We can do more with his support in a week than alone in a year.

Let's establish ourselves first, then we'll see. Eat. You'll see sense.

In the name of the most merciful Allah.

He robbed my eyes of sleep.

Where did he vanish to? My lover called me from the bridge.

My veil flies in the breeze.

My heart is racing.

Chaudhry is inviting you. Hira Bai is dancing.

Thank you.

We'll be right there.

Hna Ba“.!

It's a chance to meet the villagers

I'll finish this letter first.

You know your problem?

You're too straight.

We're here not to fight, but to convince.

Zubeida's mother asked about you.

Let her mind her own business. I hate those people.

She saki...

"Your Saleem is so handsome"

I said "Zubeida is very pretty and so spirited".

Her eyes sparkle, don't they?

I've never noticed

I said she was perfect. I couldn't ask for a better...

A better what?

Someone to help with the chores. An assistant...

Really?

Zubeida...

If you're selling flutes, I'm not interested.

Any idea what your mother said to mine?

I can guess. "That layabout Saleem stops my daughter every day".

Can't you ever use your brain?

No, that's your job.

Hurry, Zubeida.

Five o'clock.

Baba, grant my son his heart's desire.

Let's see what the landlord says.

In the name of Allah...

Friends and brothers, I needn't remind you...

of the ordeal our nation is going through.

These friends have come from Lahore.

They've left their homes to come and help us

I've assured them of my blessings and all your help in carrying out...

their good work.

May Allah protect us...

against the Devil's evil.

In the name of the most merciful Allah. Brothers of Islam...

Is he the one you met at the dance?

A bright spark. He's been all over the country.

The landlord loves him, but the other one...

looks constipated.

Under General Zia's leadership...

we are moving towards a true Islamic nation, great and strong.

Friends, you all know our country...

is emerging from years of darkness.

In this hour of need, we look to you all to join us.

All Muslims should speak with one voice.

Now join hands with me and repeat...

The way of the Prophet.

Is our way.

- The way of the Prophet. - Is our way.

Pray for greatness

Allah is great.

- Pray to the Prophet. - O my Prophet.

Brother Amin, what's the news?

What is it?

Haven't you heard?

Heard what?

Mr Bhutto...

He was hanged last night.

No matter what has happened, you never hang a Prime Minister.

My heart sank when I heard.

What will happen now'?

Nature will take its revenge some day.

You and I know that.

It's Allah's will.

This is Radio Pakistan. Athiya Zahid presents the news atone o'clock.