Documentary on Benazir at Sundance Film Festival

The film, titled "Bhutto", to be shown later on Saturday, is one of 16 documentaries chosen for screening at the festival out of almost 900 submissions. Bhutto’s children – Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Asifa – and her sister Sanam Bhutto and her two children will attend the premiere.

"Bhutto" was co-directed by Jessica Hernandez and Johnny O’Hara and includes exclusive footage and interviews with her husband, President Asif Ali Zardari, her three children, Sanam Bhutto, former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, leaders of Pakistan’s major political parties and noted scholars.

The film, which was in production for almost two years and features interviews shot all over the world, traces the story of Pakistan from its creation in 1947 to the assassination of Bhutto in December 2007.

It is notable for the extensive use of never-before-heard audio recordings of Bhutto that are used to narrate the story. It also focuses on Bhutto’s three decades in Pakistan’s stormy politics, including her stint as the first elected Prime Minister of a Muslim state, her popularity among the people and her strained relations with the military establishment.

"Bhutto" will be released internationally after the Sundance Film Festival ends. Special screenings will also be organised in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and other parts of Pakistan. The two-time former premier was assassinated by a suicide bomber after addressing an election rally in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.