Ghost School 2025 London MIFF 88 Minutes

An Interesting take on village life and local beliefs.

• Nazualiya Arsalan, Samina Seher, Adnan Shah, Tipu, Vajdaan Shah

• Pakistan 2025.• Digital • Urdu with English subtitles • Film by Seemab Gil – Director, Producer Writer.

Ghost School would be charming if it was not so serious. It features a ten year old schoolgirl who is investigating the closure of her school because the teacher is possessed by an evil Jinn which is a demonic ghostly spirit known in their local folklore. In her uniform and playing a junior private detective and desperately wishing to continue school, she knows the next village does have a boys school but nothing for her. The story is highly credible as Rabia tries to talk to the local counsellor waiting outside his huge house and to some of the young local men who seem to believe in the jinn and both efforts prove negative and irritating.

The acting is convincing and well done. More features of Rabia’s life surface during the story and though the film is slow moving it is rarely boring. Sothe two main threads for the film are the life of a young schoolgirl in a Pakistani village and the lives of the locals who believe in inaccurate ancient folklore which is causing stress and lost education.

Not to be a spoiler for viewers of Ghost School I will not disclose the twists and turns in the plot which make it satisfying and educational viewing. A particular mention for the young actress playing Rabia:- Rabia holds the plot together often single handedly and is well cast. Here is a film with a semi documentary flavour and is worth a view. The issue of a jinn or haunting is a concept which pervades many cultures so don’t let this put you off and see the film if you can.

Enjoy

Penny Nair Price