Nisha, the daughter of conservative Pakistani immigrants in Oslo, finds ways to secretly go out with her Norwegian friends. She goes to parties, plays basketball, and dates.
One day, Nisha’s father catches her with a boy, bringing what he perceives as a great shame to the family. Nisha’s delicate balance is broken, and her family acts drastically: without telling her about their plans, they move her to Pakistan.
What Will People Say is based on its director and writer Iram Haq’s own experience being kidnapped to Pakistan and going back to Norway at age 16.
"[A] relentlessly upsetting film."
— Glenn Kenny
"The kinetically shot film brims with authenticity and immediacy and benefits from a deeply sympathetic turn from sublime discovery Maria Mozhdah as the lead."
— Alissa Simon
Sixteen year-old Nisha lives a double life. At home with her family she is the perfect Pakistani daughter, but when out with her friends, she is a normal Norwegian teenager. When her father catches her in bed with her boyfriend, Nisha's two worlds brutally collide. To set an example, Nisha's parents decide to kidnap her and place her with relatives in Pakistan. Here, in a country she has never been to before, Nisha is forced to adapt to her parents' culture.
Do yourselves a favor, and watch this as soon as possible. No movie in 2019/2020 has come close the emotional rollercoaster that is this masterpiece by Iram Haq.
This movie is so realistic. Surely is a masterpiece
Man, I don’t remember ever being so moved by a movie as I was with this one. A must watch.
I want to see more movies of the main actress but seems this is the only thing she’s done so far, hopefully we have more movies from her in the next years.