My Pure Land

As a rousing rebuke to patriarchal power, Masud's assured debut mostly hits the target, even if the overall package feels clumsy and simplistic in places.

In My Pure Land, the lead roles aren't just "strong female characters": these are actual women who have fought real-life battles - and won.

It looks like Masud is going to be one hell of a player.

The action scenes are awkwardly choreographed and difficult to follow, further hindered by frequent flashbacks that interrupt the pace of the film.

Most striking ... is the way Masud portrays strong independent women overcoming their struggles in this patriarchal society.

A clean blend of arthouse mannerisms and action-movie suspense ...

The film lurches back and forward in time, but both as a narrative and as an insight into another culture it is never less than engrossing.

It's lyrical, heart-poundingly tense and strikingly feminist.

Behold a modern-day feminist western set in deeply patriarchal Pakistan. Stark and spare, with a heroine full of mean grace, it's even a true story.

Masud's style is refreshingly rugged yet extrapolates scraps of beauty from the incredible acting and impecunious settings.

The tempo here is different to that of the westerns that clearly inspired the director. The film is reflective and lyrical.

Despite pacing issues, this is a captivating true story with important implications.