In November 2008, members of the Islamic terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba stormed the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. At the end of a siege that lasted four days, 166 guests and employees of the Taj were dead.
Writer/director Lliam Worthington’s prizewinning drama records the desperate struggle for survival of a group of those people caught up in the tragedy, as well tracking the activities of two of the Pakistani gunmen responsible for the carnage as they stalk the corridors of the hotel. The classic technique of having the audience identify strongly with selected onscreen characters is applied with telling effect, and everybody’s heart goes out to the old Indian and his gorgeous little granddaughter, while the cultural, religious and social differences of others are overwhelmed by the urgency of the situation – there is a French Jewish journo, an Aussie entertainer, an Asian businessman and an Irishman with a philosophical bent. Worthington even manages to find a little gallows humour in the dialogue of the Indian bellboy who remains committed to his job despite the chaos around him.
The terrorists, one of whom is presented as a heavy cocaine user, are brainwashed yobbos in constant contact with their calculating mission overseer, who is commanding them from a safe distance – ‘they are calling it India’s 9/11,’ he boasts. It’s a gripping story and Worthington refuses to take any soft options in its telling, but neither does he opt for the blood-splattered gore-fest. The violence is shocking, but real in a sense that it makes us aware of the humanity of all involved. Sound design adds to the tension and fear without becoming intrusive, archival footage is employed at precisely the moments that context is required and the climax – book-ended as it is with the opening scene of exultant dancing – has an almost unbearable emotional impact.
This outstanding movie will have its Australian premiere when it is screened as the opening feature of this year’s Byron Bay International Film Festival – catch it at the Community Centre on Saturday 6 October.
