Silent Water

But by the time you understand the meaning of its title, Sabiha Sumar's film has delivered an emotional punch.

Stirring on religious and humanitarian levels, and very timely notwithstanding its 1979 setting.

It highlights a still shadowy moment in the creation of Pakistan that saw the abduction of nearly 100,000 Sikh and Muslim women in both India and Pakistan.

Sumar's debut feature could scarcely be more relevant to Pakistan's present, or, given this country's history of backing such repressive regimes, to ours.

The fact that these atrocities are not well known in the West is a good reason for this film to exist.

Worthy intentions are drowned by schematic scripting and only OK direction in Silent Waters, an achingly PC drama on how Islamic fundamentalism wrecks families and oppresses women.

The provocative issues of Silent Waters are unfortunately undercut by schematic plotting and one-dimensional characterizations, but the forcefulness of its message makes it a rewarding cinematic experience.