Watch The Price of Honor

The Price of Honor is a powerful and deeply affecting documentary film that examines the tragic murders of two young women, Amina and Sarah Said, who were killed in 2008 in a so-called "honor killing" by their own father. This film tells the story of their lives and death, revealing the complexities of their family's culture and the broader social forces that shaped their fate.

The documentary begins with a simple premise: we hear the voice of Amina, who had secretly recorded messages in which she describes the emotional and physical abuse she and her sister endured at the hands of their father. These recordings become the driving force of the film, as they allow us to hear directly from the girls themselves, and to understand the full extent of the terror and isolation they experienced.

Through interviews with family members, friends, and experts on honor killings, the film delves into the complex cultural and psychological factors that made the murders possible. We meet Amina and Sarah's mother, Patricia, who was also a victim of abuse, and hear her heartbreaking account of the difficulties she faced trying to protect her children. We hear from experts on domestic violence and human rights, who explain the cultural norms and beliefs that underpin honor killings, and the challenges of combating them.

The film also examines the broader social and political context in which this tragedy unfolded. It shows how cultural and religious traditions are often manipulated and distorted by patriarchal leaders who use them to justify violence and oppression, and how efforts to combat honor killings are complicated by political and cultural tensions between the US and the Middle East.

Throughout the film, the focus remains squarely on Amina and Sarah, and their struggle to live their lives in the face of overwhelming cruelty and violence. Through archival footage and photographs, we see their youth and innocence, their smiles and laughter. We see the drawings they made and the diaries they kept, full of hopes and dreams for a future that would never be realized.

The Price of Honor is not an easy film to watch. The violence and abuse it depicts is difficult and deeply disturbing. But it is a vitally important film, one that illuminates an issue that is too often ignored or dismissed. The filmmakers have done an extraordinary job of bringing Amina and Sarah's story to light, and of using their voices to challenge the cultural and political forces that continue to perpetuate violence against women.

In the end, The Price of Honor is a testament to the resilience and courage of the human spirit. It is a tribute to Amina and Sarah, and to all the women who face unimaginable challenges and danger simply because of who they are. It is a call to action, a demand for justice, and a vision of hope for a world in which all people are valued and respected.

The Price of Honor is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.