All That Perishes at the Edge of Land
@HIRANABIHira Nabi's short documentary All That Perishes at the Edge of Land is a thematically profound and visually superb documentation of the Gadani ship-breaking yard in Pakistan.
Nabi's documentary is no simple, one-note visual dedication to the people and setting of Gadani. Granted, the cinematography from Nabi is nothing short of outstanding purely on a visual level. However, the director is sure to add layers and depth for a more weighted experience, with each frame having a compelling gravitas. In particular, the oxymoronic beauty of watching such a monumentally expensive craft being slowly destroyed for parts to enable the poor to survive is just one integral and profound element.
Nabi's documentary is just as much an expose of the working class and poor in an environment of deceit, bribery and turmoil. Utilising voice over with an array of delivery ranging from poetic description to interviews with locals, giving them an avenue to voice their concerns and criticisms of the corruption and brutal cycle of poverty.
Hira Nabi's film is a delicately produced and compelling short that examines where aesthetical beauty meets the ugliness of corruption — remaining a superbly shot feature with a heartbreaking but much-needed insight into the lives of those on the breadline.
