Iqbal is about an Asian boy who gets sold by his father to a small carpentry production company in which child labour is supported. His "master" is a cruel man, imposing a ridiculous behaviour catalogue with strict charges. The children, about 5-10 years of age, have to work all day and they´re not allowed to go to toilet while at work, let alone visit their parents. Iqbal soon realizes that this is a massive injustice, especially when a member of the (unindentified) country´s Communist and Anti-child labour party takes photographs of the children.
Acting
Rajindra Jayasinghe's quiet fury as Iqbal.
Direction
Torrini never sanitizes the horror, finds dignity in suffering.
Director
Cinzia TH Torrini
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Iqbal Masih was sold to a carpet factory at age 4 for $12; he escaped at 10 and helped free 3,000 children before his murder in 1995.
This Italian production deliberately obscures Pakistan's identity to universalize the story — a choice that angered some activists who wanted specific accountability.
US
