Noor (Faryal Mehmood), a widowed schoolteacher and young boy’s mother, seeks to raise money for a girls’ school in her native Pakistan. As a way to garner interest and donations, she dons a purple wig and takes to social media – for better and much worse.
Her bestie Guchhi (Gulshan Majeed), a member of the LGBTQ community, glams her up for a night at the club, and it’s there she witnesses a provocative dancer who inspires Noor to create her alter ego, Wakhri. The film’s first act is a bit messy, offering little context at the outset for viewers unaware of the cultural significance of how Wakhri and Guchhi’s penchant for sequins and bold moves would be received in Pakistan, at least outside of preconceived notions. Still, screening for an audience in Texas is a brilliant opportunity to highlight the powerful story of the film’s real-life inspiration, Qandeel Baloch, who similarly became a social media sensation speaking out against bigoted opinions. If the film was created to honor those who stand up and make space, it does work. And it illuminates how, as in Pakistan, our state suffers from the ongoing persecution of women and queer people.
While Noor navigates personal and professional challenges, her alter ego Wahkri uses her newfound voice and sexy persona to speak her mind on social media, which ultimately draws violent attention from strangers. The club scenes’ bright lights and bouncing pop music offer an entertaining contrast to daily life; tender moments with Noor’s family create an emotional component that gives perspective in the rapidly changing scenario. Social media comments pop up onscreen, first in awe and support of the emerging activist and then as shameful hate-filled lashings. For those – myself included – who have been a target of online trolls, who have experienced firsthand the extremely painful and frightening verbal abuse they dole out in excess, Wakhri’s character quickly becomes iconic in her bold refusal to back down.
“If you’re one of the misunderstood, a misfit, this film is for you,” said writer and director Iram Parveen Bilal before the screening. Afterwards, she continued, “Every time a brave and unapologetic woman is taken down, it feels personal.” Just as activists make space for change, art makes space for anyone who colors outside the lines. Because the film is an ode to Baloch, who was slain in a tragic so-called “honor killing,” filmmaker Bilal alters the storyline, a respectful decision that works well in the story. And despite the script’s wobbles, Bilal’s efforts to boldly bring this feminist and queer story to a larger audience deserve accolades. The film world premiered at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Festival and screened for seven weeks in most Pakistani theaters, both tremendous markers of success in their own right.
Wakhri
Narrative Spotlight, North American Premiere
Thursday, March 14, 2:15pm & 2:45pm, Violet Crown CinemaCatch up with all of The Austin Chronicle‘s SXSW 2024 coverage.
This article appears in March 8 • 2024.