International Gorillay (1990)

User Rating:

4.1/10   

Director:

Jan Mohammed

Writers:

Nasir Adib (screenplay)
Zahoor Ahmed (dialogue)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The Islamic world is in crisis with the publication of Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses. Rushdie wants Pakistan...

Cast

Afzaal Ahmad	...	Salman Rushdie
Albela
Ghulam Mohiuddin	...	Ghulam
Neeli	...	Shagutta
Mustafa Qureshi	...	Mustafa
Rangeela	...	Chief Batu Batu
Babra Sharif	...	Dolly
Javed Sheikh	...	Javed

Also Known As:

International Guerillas (UK)

Runtime:

UK:167 min

Country:

Pakistan

Language:

Punjabi | Urdu

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18

Trivia:

When the film was first submitted to the BBFC in 1990 the certificate was withheld due to possible grounds of criminal libel from Salman Rushdie, as his character is seen as a villainous Israeli agent who is killed by a bolt of lightning from the Koran. After Rushdie claimed that the film "would have become the hottest video in town" if it was banned, and promised not to sue, the BBFC granted an uncut 18 certificate.

Over the top and then some action comedy (?) that is almost too wild to be believed is done in by extreme over length at almost 3 hours

This was my first introduction to Pakistani cinema, and what an introduction it was, this movie is completely over the top.

The plot of this movie has all of the crooks of the world coming to together to wipe or Islam. They are lead by Salman Rushdie who wrote the Satanic Verses "which is a blueprint to wipe out the Muslim world". Three brothers form a hit squad to go off attack Rushdie on his island fortress.

What can I say about this film? Its a very knowing comedy with a very serious edge.There are songs, comedy, action, martyrdom, the hand of God and pretty much everything other than any sort of monsters. It has the look and feel of an Indian film mixed with the cheapness of some of the Turkish cinema.

Its both better and worse than you'd expect (I actually liked the songs) and is a head trip for someone who is unfamiliar with the ways of South Asian cinema. For a good chunk of the movie I actually was enjoying myself because it's a fun movie. The problem is that this movie is way, way way too long, how long is it? Almost three hours, proving that there is too much of a good thing...actually two much of a good thing since this movie is probably twice as long as it need be.

If you get a chance to see this do so. Its a wild and wacky film thats probably unlike anything that you've ever seen. If you do see this just be ready for the over length (a finger on the FF button would be helpful since the end of this movie IS required viewing) 6 out of 10 simply because its too damn long.