Movie in Review: Moor- Beyond its time in Pakistani cinema
For me, an avid movie lover/cinema goer, only the very best of the best movies deserve money to be spent on them and viewed on the big screen. Since I first saw the trailer for Moor something told me I had to see this movie and it had to be on the premiere day. It couldn’t have been more perfect for Moor to be released on the 14th of August, even though I was unable to see it the day it came out. Because of the huge hit that it became I had to wait for a week or so for the tickets to become available again. One thing is for sure; the wait was worth every second of this masterpiece of a move that is so beyond its time in Pakistani cinema.
A film by Jami Mahmood with music by Strings and lyrics written by Anwer Maqsood, what more could you ask for in a movie? From the start to finish it will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced before in a Pakistani movie. The flashbacks will leave you confused in many places but the way all the pieces fall together is beautifully and systematically done. Some dialogues will make you laugh. Some will make you shed a tear or two and the deep-rooted message embedded in the folds of the movie will not only leave you with a sense of patriotism but also a hope that our industry is growing in the right direction.
The story-line is based on the closure of the Zhob Valley railways in 1984. The film shows how a family is affected by growing corruption in the system and how the influential have destroyed the entire railway network to support a road route through the province. Whether or not Baluchistan has been depicted on the big screen is something I am not sure of. What I am sure of is this; Jami Mahmood did not compromise on the cinematic experience. We are given a breathtaking sight into the highlands of Baluchistan and its people and their love for their land. The cinematography is absolutely mind-blowing.
Along with the flawless cinematography the music of Moor is enough to give you goosebumps. Fitting perfectly well with snow-capped mountains and landscapes, it is spine-tingling and very moving.
Celebrated Pakistani photographer Kohi Marri once said,
“Such is the beauty of the landscape of Balochistan that we can shoot an entire Lord of the Rings here.”
Marri’s words pretty much sum up visual experience Moor turned out to be. With the only difference that Frodo Baggins was fortunate enough to have an entire Fellowship beside him while Wahidullah Khan (Hameed Sheikh) has only has his small and fragile family.
It goes without saying the cast of Moor could not have done a more brilliant job. Quite possibly, Abdul Qadir as Baggu Baba is the highlight of the film.
Moor is truly a product of our times and actions. You do not want to miss it.