This is a documentary film chronicling in close-up an act of overwhelming horror - the brutal honour killing of Banaz Mahmod, a young British woman in suburban London in 2006, killed and "disappeared" by her own Kurdish family, with the agreement and help of a large section of her own community, because she tried to choose a life for herself.
But it is also a story of love...
Of Banaz, whose relationship with Rahmat put her life in danger. Tt was her video message from beyond the grave which convicted her father and uncle of the murder she feared would happen
Of Bekhal, a young woman of incredible spirit and bravery, whose love for her murdered sister gave her the strength to testify against her own family and community - bringing justice to Banaz but consigning her to a life forever lived in hiding
Of Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Goode, the senior Scotland Yard detective, who says she came to love Banaz beyond the grave. It was Caroline's dedication and passion which drove her on, finding her body against all the odds, laying her to rest, and relentlessly pursuing her killers, even to Iraq.
And Deeyah, international music artist turned activist and filmmaker, who has herself been subject to honour related abuse and threat. It was Deeyah's love for the story, for Banaz, for Bekhal and for Caroline, and for raising awareness for the issue of honour killing, which has driven her to spend three years making this harrowing and deeply emotional film, running out of funding long ago, but forming an intimate bond with all the key players, which plays out on screen in scenes of astonishingly confessional testimony
Above all the film is an act of remembrance, an act of recovery of Banaz, a woman whom her own family tried to erase from the earth, but who is set to become a worldwide symbol in the fight to overcome oppression and outdated and horrific cultural practices, practices which claim the lives of thousands of other women like Banaz every year.
"One of the most upsetting documentaries you will ever see, but also vitally important ...... Banaz's family wanted to erase all memories of her - this devastating film makes sure that they didn't succeed. A deeply affecting film." The Times, 27 September 2012
“A harrowing documentary, … haunting... chilling.” The Daily Mail, 24th September, 2012
"A completely shocking, revealing, and timely insight into the scourge of 'honour killing'. ... quite literally a horror movie “ Jon Snow, Journalist, author, Channel 4 News lead anchor
“What happened to Banaz makes the heart black with fury... it takes a documentary like this one to really bring home the foul reality of what these women have to suffer. Watching this pretty, fragile young woman pouring her heart out… was extraordinary.” Five stars out of five – The Times, 1 October 2012
"Banaz: A Love Story is such an extraordinary film. Banaz's story and her testimony are incredibly moving. This is both a hugely important and an extremely intimate film about an issue that needs bringing up again and again." Saira Shah, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author
“At the end of a film screening, there’s usually a few moments of silence as reality slowly creeps back into the room. Then normality descends, chatting and laughter resumes, and gradually, the intensity of everything you’ve just seen fades away in comparison to the immediacy of real life. This does not happen after this documentary. The room stays largely silent. People stare blankly at the screen. Some are in tears. And the once-familiar, once-friendly streets of London, when you step outside into the sunlight, never look quite the same again.” Louise McCudden, Safe World for Women
“A story told very powerfully and with the very painful addition of footage of Banaz herself, essentially predicting her own murder.” – Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent, 1 October 2012
"Enraging, enlightening, don't miss this one. One of this year's must-watch movies." Raindance Film Festival, London
“Graphic and disturbing… the terrifying ordeal of a young woman who defied the deeply-entrenched conventions of her patriarchal society to leave her abusive husband and start a new relationship.” The Independent, 24th September, 2012
“Devastating…like watching a car-crash in slow motion …. Banaz’s memory is given the time it deserves in this harrowing film. … True horror lies in wait just down the road.” ?David Perilli, Picturehouse Review
"A powerful and deeply touching film that stirs a vast range of emotions and leaves you speechless." Chris Crowstaff, founder, Safe World for Women
"The film doesn’t fail to warm, as well as disgust. A completely absorbing, upsetting, enraging, heart-felt and must-watch film." Orestes Kouso, Raindance Website Reviews
“Very moving and an horrific eye-opener” Clea Myers, author
“Daring and provocative.. reveals a heroic character in Banaz; one whose extraordinary bravery and determination in the face of life-threatening danger transforms the miserable silence of oppression into a demand for the most basic of human rights…. A moving tribute.” Shaheen Hasmat, author
“Have you heard of a girl called Banaz Mahmod? I hadn’t until I saw this documentary…. . Now I want to tell everyone I meet about Banaz and I want them to tell everyone they meet about Banaz, what happened to her and the story of the people who loved Banaz.” Louisereviews.com
“Heart-wrenching… a harrowing documentary that provides a powerful insight into a cultural issue that should be treated as an outrage in this country and internationally. … … the cinematography greatly enhances much of the core messages of the documentary as the sweeping shots of everyday London, juxtaposed with the heinous horrors being described, confront the fact that these things could be happening in any of the houses the camera pans over. Someone just like Banaz could be your neighbour, your child’s friend at school – the woman you work with.” Britflicks.com
“The murder of Banaz Mahmod by her family in 2006 shocked the country. A documentary now tells her story.” The Observer, 23rd September 2012
"This wasn't a story that hadn't been reported before, but it was told very powerfully here and with the very painful addition of footage of Banaz herself, essentially predicting her own murder. A letter she'd addressed to the police, identifying the men she'd overheard plotting her killing, was instrumental in solving the crime. One brave woman went on camera to denounce the idea of "honour based violence" and her courage went a little way to wiping away the stain of association these vile men had inflicted on their own community, but it would take a lot more like her to erase the shame entirely." The Independent, 1st November 2012
"This excellent film reminded us that "honour killings" are often collective crimes committed by individuals who are supported by extended networks. When the day arrives that such murders bring not honour but only shame, the killers will face the communal rejection they most fear. Unfortunately, as things stand, the people in hiding are those who stood by Mahmod." The Observer, 4th November 2012
Banaz aired on ITV (UK) on Wednesday 31st October 2012 at 10.30pm to a 10.59% share the second highest rated programme within the time slot.