Anna Broinowski’s documentary ‘Forbidden Lies’ is definitely one to catch. What a stunning film this was!
Norma Khouri, the author of the international bestseller ‘Forbidden Love’, is the subject and the target of Broinowski’s film. It is now part of literary folklore that Khouri’s book about honour killings in Jordan was discredited and was one of the great literary hoaxes.
The film weaves between the literary salons of London, the mosque-lined vistas of Jordan, the beachside suburbs of Queensland, and the seamy Chicago backstreets of Norma’s dubious past. It is a fascinating tug of war/debate that happens with on one side the ostracised Norma telling her side of the story and on the other side, the people who believe that she was a retrograde; the Herald journalist, Malcolm Knox who exposed her, her publishers, the FBI , her next door neighbour, and even her husband.
My take on ‘Foridden Lies’. I loved this film because I just felt there was such a sense of justice about the film. With ‘Forbidden Lies, Broinowski gave Khouri the opportunity to present her case after being massively ridiculed in the media. Anna Broinowski’s big heart gave Khouri every opportunity to come good. She even agrees to Choudry’s request, and flies her with her crew to Jordan in the hope that she can prove her story. One can feel Broinowski’s heartbreak as Khouri leads her up one garden path affter another!
Norma Khouri was a spectacular, multi-dimensional character….I think it ws a case of truth being stranger than fiction! One couldn’t make up a character like her…complicated, charming and definitely a bit on the bent side.
