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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — “You Can't Murder A Legacy” is the subtitle of this film and Benazir Bhutto leaves an undying legacy of a Muslim woman who defies sharia law using the Koran to uphold her beliefs, fights for democracy and, against enormous odds, becomes the first woman Prime Minister of a Muslim nation.
“Bhutto” is not only about Benazir, but about her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and the Pakistani government. To understand Benazir's rise to power, the film includes essential background material putting into perspective the complexities of the time: The intertwined threads of Afghanistan, the Soviet Union, the United States, India and Pakistan, plus the social turmoil of Pakistan.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was educated at University of California, Berkeley, and University of Oxford. He returned to Pakistan proclaiming, “Islam is our faith, democracy is our policy, socialism is our economy. All power to the people.”
In 1967, Bhutto founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and it became a part of the pro-democracy movement uniting diverse political parties across Pakistan. He was fourth president of Pakistan from 1971-1973, and the ninth Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973-1977.
Zulfikar is recognized as starting Pakistan's nuclear program. Accused of authorizing the death of a political opponent, he was sentenced to death and executed in 1979. The charges were perhaps politically motivated and never proved. Before his death, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto named his eldest daughter, Benazir, to continue his crusade.
Benazir Bhutto was well prepared to continue her father's struggle. She was at Harvard University (Radcliff) during the Viet Nam war protests and Woodstock. Ironically, her roommate was Kathleen Kennedy, daughter of Robert Kennedy. Set to John Lennon's score, “Power of the People,” the film evokes a powerful image of a long-haired Bhutto in head scarf swept away by the furor of the era. She began to wonder how this type of activism could be applied to her homeland.
After completing her education at Oxford, Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan where she began her political career. Realizing that in order to succeed, she must conform to social mores, so she consented to an arranged marriage with playboy Asif Ali Zardari and never abandoned the Muslim headscarf.
Benazir Bhutto was a beautiful, gifted, and impassioned orator capable of stimulating her people. With an enormous following, she became the first woman to head a Muslim nation and served two terms and possibly a third if she had not been assassinated. Her tenure was not without problems. Benazir did not have the support of the military, and the army resented having to salute a woman. More than once, she was arrested and imprisoned. Benazir Bhutto and her husband were charged with corruption and she was removed from office choosing self-imposed exile from Pakistan. In 1998, a new president granted her amnesty and the charges were withdrawn.
Benazir returned to her country Oct. 18, 2007, two weeks before the scheduled Pakistani general election where she was the leading opposition candidate. Dec. 27, 2007, she was assassinated, and the cause of her death, as well as responsibility for her death, is still disputed. The following year she was named one of seven winners of the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights.
“Bhutto” is not only about Benazir, but about her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and the Pakistani government. To understand Benazir's rise to power, the film includes essential background material putting into perspective the complexities of the time: The intertwined threads of Afghanistan, the Soviet Union, the United States, India and Pakistan, plus the social turmoil of Pakistan.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was educated at University of California, Berkeley, and University of Oxford. He returned to Pakistan proclaiming, “Islam is our faith, democracy is our policy, socialism is our economy. All power to the people.”
In 1967, Bhutto founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and it became a part of the pro-democracy movement uniting diverse political parties across Pakistan. He was fourth president of Pakistan from 1971-1973, and the ninth Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973-1977.
Zulfikar is recognized as starting Pakistan's nuclear program. Accused of authorizing the death of a political opponent, he was sentenced to death and executed in 1979. The charges were perhaps politically motivated and never proved. Before his death, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto named his eldest daughter, Benazir, to continue his crusade.
Benazir Bhutto was well prepared to continue her father's struggle. She was at Harvard University (Radcliff) during the Viet Nam war protests and Woodstock. Ironically, her roommate was Kathleen Kennedy, daughter of Robert Kennedy. Set to John Lennon's score, “Power of the People,” the film evokes a powerful image of a long-haired Bhutto in head scarf swept away by the furor of the era. She began to wonder how this type of activism could be applied to her homeland.
After completing her education at Oxford, Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan where she began her political career. Realizing that in order to succeed, she must conform to social mores, so she consented to an arranged marriage with playboy Asif Ali Zardari and never abandoned the Muslim headscarf.
Benazir Bhutto was a beautiful, gifted, and impassioned orator capable of stimulating her people. With an enormous following, she became the first woman to head a Muslim nation and served two terms and possibly a third if she had not been assassinated. Her tenure was not without problems. Benazir did not have the support of the military, and the army resented having to salute a woman. More than once, she was arrested and imprisoned. Benazir Bhutto and her husband were charged with corruption and she was removed from office choosing self-imposed exile from Pakistan. In 1998, a new president granted her amnesty and the charges were withdrawn.
Benazir returned to her country Oct. 18, 2007, two weeks before the scheduled Pakistani general election where she was the leading opposition candidate. Dec. 27, 2007, she was assassinated, and the cause of her death, as well as responsibility for her death, is still disputed. The following year she was named one of seven winners of the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights.
Community Cinema in the Grand Valley
GRAND JUNCTION
Tuesday, April 12, 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. wine and cheese reception Recital Hall, Moss Performing Arts Center Mesa State College Free campus parking for this event A community discussion will follow the Grand Junction screening with guest speaker, Rachel Locke. Locke is currently a history major and president of the International Relations Club at Mesa State. In 2007, she worked teaching English as a second language in Pakistan during the time of former President Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan. Rachel learned about politics, religion, and culture through her experience. PALISADE Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. Palisade Library, 711 Iowa St. FRUITA Wednesday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. Dinosaur Journey Museum, 550 Jurassic Court |
