Ramchand Pakistani

Ramchand is an eight year-old Hindu Pakistani living with his low caste parents in a village close to the Indian border. After an argument with his mother, he runs off into the desert and accidentally crosses over into India. His father soon catches up with him but both are captured by soldiers and taken to jail.

Based on real events, the set-up of a young boy growing up as a prisoner of war recalls ‘Life is Beautiful’, although without that film’s sentimentality or chilling inevitability. In fact, the warm, airy cinematography makes the prison seem a little too attractive compared to the poverty and grief experienced by Ramchand’s mother, left behind wondering whether her family are alive or dead. But this doesn’t detract from a moving story, realised with impressive maturity by first-time director Mehreen Jabbar. (Sarah Cohen)