Pakistani Rape Victim Mai Appears In A Documentary

Pakistani gang rape victim Mukhtaran Mai has appeared in a documentary film that tells her tragic tale. In the orthodox country like Pakistan Mai is the only women who broke with tradition to tell the world her story.

In the documentary the seamstress insists that Pakistan prosecute the men from her village who raped her as punishment for a crime they said her brother committed.

The documentary is a gripping, but still-unpolished story that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this week. The film explains how Mai spoke out about the rape, rather than committing suicide to save her family's honor.

"My strength came from God," she told Reuters at the festival.

Aided by a translator, Mai admitted that her own life had changed since the rape. She also received donations from her supporters that has transformed her Punjabi village into one that now boasts a paved road, electricity, two schools and a crisis center for women.

 "Before, I did not even know what was around the corner from my house, and now I am here. I am dealing with bigger issues," she said. "The entire world is supporting me."

Her film, "Shame," basically compiles interviews and TV footage, explaining what happened to Mai, the initial passive response from her father and her brother, and then the arrest of the suspects, their conviction for rape, and their release on appeal.

The accused men are now in jail pending a final appeal.

Mai has enrolled herself into her own school to try to get the education she never received as a child. She has even traveled to several countries to tell her story.

Director Mohammed Naqvi said he hoped the movie would be ready for release next year.