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Poster for Silent Waters

Silent Waters

The Water Stirs

2003 · 1h 39m Drama
Directed by Sabiha Sumar

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Overview

Ayesha is a widow with a secret past, living with her beloved son Saleem in a small town in Pakistan close to the Indian border. When the fires of Islamic nationalism invade their tranquil lives, Saleem and a few of the town's other young men are soon gripped by a religious fervour, and they attempt to bring radical Islamic law to their friends and neighbours. After a group of Sikh pilgrims arrive in town, tensions reach boiling point as Ayesha's haunted past comes rushing back.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
Fresh

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

Marta Barber, Miami Herald
Fresh

Even behind the veil, the movie tells us, there is dissent -- cinematic dissent.

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Rotten

Silent Waters means well, but falls way short of its mark of enlightening the world to the plight of South Asian women in this period of history. It just isn't believable enough.

Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Fresh

The filmmakers provide a well-meaning, well-timed Pakistani portrait.

John Anderson, Newsday
Fresh

Although taking place 25 years in the past, director-writer Sabiha Sumar's debut feature has relevance in the world as we now know it.

V.A. Musetto, New York Post

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