ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS wins One World Media Awards 2007

07-06-19

The jury said: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.

Enemies of Happiness also won The World Cinema Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival 2007, The Silver Wolf Award at IDFA 2006