The 2022 Attack on Salman Rushdie
On August 12, 2022, author Salman Rushdie was stabbed 15 times while preparing to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. The attack resulted in severe injuries for Rushdie, including the loss of his right eye, severed tendons in his left hand, and a period on a ventilator. Audience members intervened to disarm the assailant.
Documentary Premiere: "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie"
A new documentary titled "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Alex Gibney and based on Rushdie's memoir of the same name, the film reconstructs the attack and documents Rushdie's recovery. It includes previously unreleased footage recorded by Rushdie's wife, Rachel Eliza Griffiths, showing the physical aftermath of the stabbing.
Griffiths stated that the initial motivation to film Rushdie's recovery was a coping mechanism.
Rushdie characterized the documentation as an act of defiance against political violence, noting the film explores broader themes beyond his personal experience.
Historical Context and Implications
The documentary explores Rushdie's background and the controversy surrounding his 1988 novel, "The Satanic Verses." The book's publication led to a fatwa from Ayatollah Khomeini, calling for Rushdie's death, which resulted in widespread protests and threats against the author.
Rushdie emphasized the importance of understanding this historical context to comprehend the 2022 attack, which was carried out by an individual not alive during the fatwa's issuance.
Director Alex Gibney drew connections between the historical reactions to Rushdie's work and contemporary instances of political violence.
Themes of Resilience and Humanity
The film highlights Rushdie's resilience during his recovery, including his maintenance of principles and humor. Gibney commented on the importance of embracing humanity and intimacy in response to political challenges.
The documentary concludes by showing the attack from a third-party perspective, capturing the intervention of audience members who aided Rushdie.
Rushdie reflected that the event demonstrated both negative aspects of human nature (violence) and positive aspects (individuals risking themselves to save him).