Saving Face Documentary Analysis

Targeted audience:

Types of arguments/Structure of the arguments:

• lawmakers in Pakistan -> to enact new laws to protect women
• other acid attack survivors -> to inspire courage in them
• other countries of the world -> to raise awareness on the attacks that occur

Types:

• to inform
• call to action

Structure:

• narrative
• chronological

Appeals in the film

Purpose of the film:

Marvi Memon

Pathos

• Woman with pictures in the beginning: emphasizes the damaging emotional effects these women are facing because of the attacks
• Women are attacked by their own husbands: highlights their society where women aren't treated well and men can get away with nearly killing their wives
• Rukhsana still lives with her husband who threw acid on her (and his family who set her on fire) because she couldn't afford to care for her child and her current house is where she was burned alive: emphasizes the harshness of the society towards women
• Yasir (Zakia's husband) said she threw the acid on herself: emphasizes the lack of respect women have in that society
• Rukhsana is pregnant and wants a boy (she has a boy): emphasizes the danger women face in Pakistan
• Zakia and her daughter tell jokes: emphasizes the effects the attacks have on everyday life

• brings awareness to the acid attacks going on in Pakistan
• stop the acid attacks
• bring about punishment (better/more effective) to the culprits of the attacks

Ethos

• Dr. Jawad is from Pakistan: highlights on the fact that Dr. Jawad understands the issue and is upset with the current state of his country
• The Acid Survivors Foundation created safe houses: emphasizes that there are organizations trying to help (builds credibility for the cause)
• Sakar Abbas (Zakia's lawyer) is passionate about women's cases and is doing Zakia's for free: emphasizes that there are people trying to help the women in their fight for justice against the attacks (builds credibility for the cause)

Logos

• "There are over 100 acid attacks reported in Pakistan every year (many go unreported)": emphasizes that acid attacks are a serious widespread occurrence in Pakistan
• Laws are lenient and culprits are acquitted: emphasizes the change the victims of acid attacks are trying to enact because they want justice
• Marvi Memon bring bill to Parliament that would mandate life-sentences for those who perpetrated acid-related violence and it passes unanimously: highlights that there are steps being made in the victims' favor to try to punish those who have harmed others
• Zakia's husband receives a double life-sentence: emphasizes on a major breakthrough because Zakia's case was the first one tried under the new law

Rhetorical Devices

Effectiveness

• brings awareness- very effective
• stop the acid attacks- not effective (still continue today)
• bring about punishment- semi effective (no new laws, but organized groups)

Repetition/Parallelism

• word "God": highlights on the importance of religion in their society and the way they use it as strength during their hardest times
• "My face is ruined! My life is ruined!": emphasizes the emotional impact these attacks had on their victims and the significance that the surgery had on the victims' lives
• "Oh my fellow countrymen, my lawmakers, me government": emphasizes the importance of everyone in Pakistan coming together to put a stop to acid attacks

Metaphors/Similes

Rhetorical Questions

• "If not him then who threw the acid?": emphasizes the leniency of the laws towards punishing those guilty of acid attacks
• "Where is the justice?": emphasizes the desperate desire these victims have towards stopping past/present/and future acid attacks

• "They should be put in prison like animals contained in cages.": emphasizes the justice the victims and their families and friends were seeking
• "This is going to be my rebirth!": highlights the excitement and impact the surgeries had for the victims and their outlooks on life
• "He stares at me like he's going to eat me alive.": emphasizes the disrespect that some husbands have for their wives