Iqbal (1998)
A searing Italian TV drama about a child sold into bonded labor who finds the courage to resist a profoundly unjust world.
Iqbal - Movie Information
Iqbal - Plot
Iqbal is about an Asian boy who gets sold by his father to a small carpentry production company in which child labour is supported. His "master" is a cruel man, imposing a ridiculous behaviour catalogue with strict charges. The children, about 5-10 years of age, have to work all day and they're not allowed to go to toilet while at work, let alone visit their parents. Iqbal soon realizes that this is a massive injustice, especially when a member of the (unindentified) country's Communist and Anti-child labour party takes photographs of the children.
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Iqbal - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Cinzia TH Torrini
Main Cast
- Lucky Dias
- Trelicia Gunawardena
- Veena Jayakody
- Rajindra Jayasinghe
- Ravindra Randeniya
- Mohamed Rizlan
- Prageeth Sanjeeva
- Iranganie Serasinghe
- Roshan Seth
- Yashoda Wimaladharma
Writers
- Francesco Marcucci
- James Carrington
- Andrea Purgatori
Iqbal - FAQs
What is Iqbal about?
Iqbal follows a young Asian boy sold by his father to a carpentry workshop that exploits child labor. Forced to work all day under a cruel master with oppressive rules, Iqbal begins to recognize the injustice of his situation when a Communist anti-child-labor activist photographs the children's suffering.
Is Iqbal based on a true story?
Yes, Iqbal is inspired by the real life of Iqbal Masih, a Pakistani boy sold into bonded carpet labor at age four. He escaped, became a prominent child-labor activist, and was tragically murdered in 1995 at around age twelve. His story drew worldwide attention to child exploitation.
Who directed Iqbal (1998)?
Iqbal was directed by Cinzia TH Torrini, an Italian filmmaker. The film was produced by RAI and co-produced between Italy and Sweden, reflecting a European commitment to raising awareness about child labor and human rights abuses through dramatic storytelling.
Who are the main actors in Iqbal?
The cast includes Lucky Dias, Rajindra Jayasinghe, Mohamed Rizlan, Roshan Seth, Ravindra Randeniya, Veena Jayakody, Iranganie Serasinghe, Trelicia Gunawardena, Prageeth Sanjeeva, and Yashoda Wimaladharma, bringing the story to life with a largely South Asian ensemble.
Where can you watch Iqbal (1998)?
Streaming availability for Iqbal varies by region. You can check current viewing options, including any subscription, rental, or purchase platforms available in your country, by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information across multiple services.
What genre is Iqbal (1998)?
Iqbal is classified as a Drama and TV Movie. It blends social-issue storytelling with an emotionally driven narrative, making it both an educational and deeply human portrait of a child's struggle against exploitation and systemic injustice in an unidentified Asian country.
How long is the film Iqbal (1998)?
Iqbal has a runtime of 98 minutes, or approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes. Originally produced for Italian television by RAI, the film's focused length allows it to tell its urgent story with emotional directness and without unnecessary padding.
What language is Iqbal (1998) in?
Although the original language of the production is listed as English, Iqbal was made for Italian television and is spoken in Italian. It was co-produced between Italy and Sweden, and the film's primary spoken language for its broadcast audience is Italian.
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