Enemies of Happiness

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Halifax: FOCI
Wednesday October 24, 2007
Screening begins 19h30
Venue: Room 303, Dalhousie SUB, 6136 University Avenue, Halifax

Denmark / 2007 / 59 min

Enemies of happiness, the winner of the international premiere award is a powerful, remarkable and inspiring film. From its stunning opening, emerges a gripping story of opposition and women's rights in today's Afghanistan as the country tries to reconstruct life after the Taliban. At its heart, it's a portrait of Malalai Joya on the campaign trail in the first democratic elections in Afghanistan in 30 years. The film-makers follow this brave, fearless and committet female politician who, despite repeated assassination attempts, is prepared to take on and front-up to formere warlords in the Loya Jirga about the way they have been tearing her country apart.

In a series of tense and edgy encounters, Malalai Joya emerges as an inspirational figure - prepared to talk frankly to former warlords, a strong, passionated voice of women in this most male-dominated of societies. But throughout this portrayal of Malalai Joya the politician - we do not lose sight of her as a woman, doing her washing in the evening. Clear an unhysterical, the film-making is of highest order. Beautifully shot, paced and edited, the imagery captures daily life in Afghanistan brilliantly, yet it never flags. The film-makers make great use of sound and music to amplify the tension. The powerful film concludes with Joya's election victory, a great climax to this important documentary.

Directed by Eva Mulvad and Anja Al-Erhayem.

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