No one can accuse “Saving Face” of being gun-shy.
Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy have made a virtuous and brave documentary short about women in Pakistan who have their faces scolded with acid by abusive husbands.
It’s a culturally systemic problem that is as commonplace as rape is in America, and this film fearlessly looks these women in the face (or what is left of them) and carries them on a path to justice and cosmetic peace of mind.
These women have lost their beauty and even their identity in these attacks. Bulging lips, sunken eye sockets, blotchy red skin; “Saving Face” doesn’t sugarcoat their appearance because if these women have the bravery to be optimistic, smile, joke, laugh and even speak publicly, in Pakistan of all places, so should we.
The scarier faces are those of the doctor who has to maintain solitude as one of his patients recounts her horror story or the husband who lies while staring directly into the camera, claiming his wife went mad and poured gasoline on herself. The film captures these images with startling poignancy.
“Saving Face” takes a small step in telling the story of these women. Even though it should, it doesn’t fight a crusade for gender equality it cannot yet win. The mental and physical abuse this film exposes us to is enough.
“Saving Face” won last year’s Documentary Short Oscar for its winning, uplifting ending and for having the courage to show its face to the world.
3 ½ stars