Review of Osama (2004) by Yi-Shan C — 16 Feb 2009

Osama, is a 12-year girl growing up in a country where the Taliban regime's presence is still at large. Inspired by a true story, the social injustice towards women is seen through the eyes of Osama, whom only after being disguised as a boy was able to escort her widowed mom through the streets without receiving punishment and hassle from the Taliban members. More importantly, Osama risks her life to dress as a boy in order to work to put some food on the table to feed her mom and grandma before they all starve to death for women was banned from working.

Unfortunately for Osama, her looks, mannerism and mostly the fear of the Taliban ingrained through her life and the women generations before her robbed her of any confidence to successfully pull off the act.

I shake my head as the film comes to an end. Saddened by the injustice and the inequality. More so, I felt a bit outraged why didn't she fight? Why didn't the women at least put up a fight? Easier said then done, I guess. I will never know what it feels like having to hide your body underneath a sheet, live in constant fear, be treated like a puppet, having no freedom what so ever. To me that's more painful than death, but there are many ways to die.