Sitara: Let Girls Dream (2020) Short Moview Review

 

Sitara: Let Girls Dream | 2020 | 15m
Genre: Animation/Drama/Short | Country: Pakistan
Director & Writer: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
IMDB: 7.1
My Rate: 9/10

Pari, a teenage girl who dreams of becoming a pilot, has to give up her dream due to early marriage arranged by her father, which also makes her mother and other siblings feel disappointed.

Warning:

Heavy Theme

 

Synopsis:

Pari, a 14-year-old teenage girl, dreams of becoming a pilot. She and her younger sister often play with paper airplanes on the roof of their house. However, the arrival of their father makes them have to run back into the house.

Her father comes with Pari's younger brother carrying sweets. However, her mother does not seem very happy with this. Added to this is when the father suddenly gifts Pari with a pair of shoes. Her mother realizes that her father has other intentions behind his kindness, namely wanting to marry Pari off.

An argument ensues between them, but the mother cannot do anything and must agree to her father's decision. Pari does not know what she will face. Including her little sister who looks confused by what is happening.

Will her dream be buried just like that?

 

Review:

Sitara: Let Girls Dream is a film that raises the issue of early marriage for children, especially underage girls. This film bagged 3 awards at the Los Angeles Animation Festival in 2019, namely Best Produced Screenplay, Best Music Score and the Humanitarian Award. Although this film is a film without dialogue, the message it wants to convey is truly presented very well.

The foundation of the story is built very well by showing the main character who is shown to have a big dream. Symbols such as them playing with paper airplanes, Pari loving her book about airplanes, and a small airplane replica in her room. This shows the relationship between Pari and her dream.

The introduction of the father figure is also done very well, where it is seen how the father has a very 'feared' position in his family. This is shown when Pari and her sister immediately run after seeing their father's shadow from a distance. In addition, also how the mother's attitude is when facing her husband.

Conflict begins to emerge after several clues are given such as sweets and shoes brought by the father. We will see the expression of the mother who realizes something she imagined will happen. We will also see some small fights. Until the main conflict when Pari realizes that she cannot achieve her dream.

The conflict is seen from the internal of each character. Emotional struggles occur in each character, both Pari, her mother, her two younger siblings, and even the Father. Everything is presented very neatly.

The resolution is actually not part of the film scene. However, only a collage of images is presented along with the after credit. Even so, this is done very well. This makes the message to be conveyed conveyed very well. Added with the narration that is also displayed on the screen. The development of each character is also seen well.

The animation presented looks very stunning with smooth and natural movements. Even the expressions that are important in a silent film to convey the story, are depicted very well and realistically. The composition of the colors used is also very stunning and becomes a fitting composition.

The use of music and sound effects used is also very good. Can help in building the story and atmosphere of each scene. Although this story is without dialogue, but with all these elements makes the story easy to understand. Added with a storyline that is presented systematically.

It's just that, there is one thing that is unsettling when I watch this film. Where in this film, the culture of early marriage is actually a culture that is considered normal. This is also the reason for making this film.

What is a little less logical is where the main character is seen to have a big dream. As if her family really gives her hope to be able to have a big dream and achieve it. This is reinforced by the family who seems to support her by buying her books about airplanes and also airplane toys.

This part becomes contradictory, when the father still tells her to get married. As if the story becomes inconsistent. Another inconsistency is when the father remembers his marriage to his wife by looking at their photos, where the wife does not look happy. However, he still does not change his mind and still has the heart to make his child unhappy.

This part creates inconsistency from the character of the character in the story, especially the father at the beginning of the story. Although indeed at the end the change and development of the father figure does occur. If the father's character is made really tough from the beginning until the wedding, and the turning point is seen at the wedding, maybe this will be more logical.

Overall, this film has a good message and is light to watch.

 

Memorable scene:

Pari's mother draws henna on Pari's hand who is still unaware of what will happen to her. Until the father comes in carrying the wedding dress. The scene shows how the Mother is actually reluctant to let go of Pari but also can not do anything because of her husband's decision.

 

Ending:

Happy Ending

 
Recommendation:

Must Watch

 

(Aluna)