Dinner With the President 2007
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Produced by STEPS International
Directed by Sabiha Sumar and Sachithanandam Sathananthan
DVD, color, 52 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Political Science, Asian Studies, Pakistan, Democracy
Date Entered: 01/30/2009
Reviewed by Malcolm L. Rigsby, Department of Sociology, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARThis is a quality presentation. Editing and photography are excellent. Excellent sound quality and music background effects.
In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf came to power in Pakistan by military coup. Some argue that under his leadership much progress has occurred in Pakistan. Before he stepped down from his office, some called him a dictator and others called him a moderate who was leading Pakistan to a democracy. Our director takes on a journey exploring dictatorship, Mullahship and democracy as interpreted by the many peoples of Pakistan. Not least is the interview with President Musharraf at his dinner table, from which the film takes its title. The Presidential interview is segmented with many cuts to individual discussions with the poor, the well to do, intellectuals, laborers and the religious right.
Among the many issues explored are the rights of women in a Muslim country, terrorism, the economy and views held by Pakistanis about the United States of America. Can dictators ever be the best choice?
Awards
- Grand Award, UAE International Documentary Competition, United Arab Emirates, 2008