Daughter of Saint: A heavy, dusty drama that’s actually pretty angry

Is this worth your time?

If you’re looking for a light movie to have on in the background while you fold laundry, absolutely not. You should probably skip this one if you’re already feeling a bit down about the world.

But if you like those old, grainy movies that feel like they were filmed in a desert and actually have something to say about hypocrisy, then yeah, it’s worth a look. 🌵

It’s a story about power and how people hide behind religion to do some really terrible things. It’s pretty heavy stuff, even for a movie this old.

I think people who like historical dramas from Central Asia will find it fascinating. People who want a happy ending or a fast-paced thriller will probably hate it.

The movie starts with Hakima, and right away, you can tell she’s had a rough life. Liudfi Djalilova plays her, and she has this way of looking at the floor that tells you everything you need to know about her history.

The villain is this guy Abdu-Nabi, the Imam. He’s supposed to be a saint, but he’s basically just a predator in a fancy robe.

He assaulted Hakima years ago, and she had a daughter because of it. Now the 'holy man' is back and he’s looking at the daughter, Oinasa, in a way that made my skin crawl. 🤮

It’s not like those more theatrical movies from the same era, like maybe Pages of Life. This feels much more raw and grounded in the dirt.

The lighting in the Imam’s house is weirdly dark. It’s like the movie is trying to hide his face in the shadows, which fits because he’s hiding his real self from the village.

There is a scene where Hakima is just watching her daughter sleep and the camera stays on her for a long time. Too long, maybe? It felt like the film was stuck for a second, but then you see her hand shake just a little bit.

It’s those small things that make you realize this wasn't just a generic propaganda piece. Someone actually cared about the emotion of the scene.

The village itself looks so hot and dusty. You can almost feel the grit in your teeth while you watch them walk down the narrow streets.

I noticed a stray dog in the background of one shot that looked more well-fed than some of the kids. 🐕 It’s a strange detail to catch, but it stuck with me.

The way the other men in the village treat Abdu-Nabi is frustrating. They just bow and scrape while he’s clearly a monster. It reminds me of the social pressure you see in Protsess Mironova, where the group mind is just... scary.

Sometimes the editing is a bit jumpy. Like, one second they are in a house, and the next they are halfway across a field. I think some of the film might have been lost or just cut weirdly back in the day.

The music is also extremely loud in parts. It practically screams at you to feel sad or scared, which it didn't really need to do because the acting was already doing that work.

Rustam Tura-Khodzhaev is in this too, but he doesn't have much to do compared to the women. This is really Hakima’s movie through and through.

I liked that the movie didn't try to make things look pretty. The clothes look used, the walls are crumbling, and the people look tired.

It’s definitely not a fun time like She's a Prince or even something silly like Is Marriage the Bunk?. This is a movie that wants to leave a bruise.

The daughter, Oinasa, has this very innocent face that makes the Imam’s interest feel even more disgusting. The actress playing her doesn't have many lines, but her confusion is palpable.

There is a moment near the end where Hakima finally stands up, and it’s not some big action hero moment. It’s just a desperate mother doing what she has to do. It felt real.

I did find myself wondering about the writer, Mikhail Ruderman. He clearly had some big issues with how religious authority was working at the time.

Some of the dialogue—at least in the subtitles I had—felt a bit stiff. "The darkness of the past must be brought to light," or something like that. It’s a bit much.

But when the movie stops talking and just shows you the landscape or the fear on a woman's face, it’s powerful. It’s a shame more people haven't seen this one.

One reaction shot of the Imam lingers so long it almost becomes funny, like he forgot his next move. But then he blinks and you remember he’s the bad guy.

Anyway, it’s a tough watch. Daughter of Saint isn't going to win any awards for being "fun," but it’s a solid piece of history that still feels relevant today, unfortunately.

I’m glad I saw it, but I don't think I’ll be watching it again anytime soon. It’s just too heavy for a rewatch.