Beginning on Valentine’s Day of 1989, Salman Rushdie found himself under a death sentence. The fatwa issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which called for the murder of the author over his novel “The Satanic Verses,” forced Rushdie into hiding for nearly a decade. He adopted the pseudonym Joseph Anton and traveled in an armored Jaguar, living in fear as threats loomed everywhere.
The stakes were raised dramatically on August 12, 2022, when Rushdie was attacked on stage at the Chautauqua Institute in New York. Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old radical, stabbed him 15 times, inflicting severe injuries, including the loss of his right eye and damage to his liver and left hand. The assault shocked the literary world and reignited discussions about freedom of expression and the dangers of fanaticism.
Rushdie’s harrowing experience is explored in “Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie,” a documentary directed by Alex Gibney. The film captures the aftermath of the attack and Rushdie’s recovery, featuring intimate footage shot by his wife, Rachel Eliza Griffiths, who documented their ordeal in the hospital. Griffiths described her camera as a diary, helping her process complex emotions while focusing on Rushdie’s care.
The documentary incorporates Rushdie’s reflections on the attack and his assailant, whom he refers to simply as “A.” Despite the gravity of the situation, Rushdie expressed a strange curiosity about meeting Matar. “I had a brief fantasy about that,” he told The Post. “But Eliza thought it was a terrible idea and I agree with her. I doubt that he would open his heart to me.”
Four years post-attack, Rushdie continues to grapple with the reality of his injuries. “I wake up every day and think about not having my right eye,” he said. “Losing a quadrant of my vision makes everything more difficult.” Despite these challenges, he is focused on his work and is currently writing his next book.
Matar was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the attack, a punishment Rushdie deemed appropriate. He described the incident not solely as an attempted murder but as a broader narrative on the complexities of life, pain, and resilience. “This is not just [an attempted] murder story. It’s also a love story,” Rushdie stated, underscoring the importance of human connection amid turmoil.
Rushdie’s life is now a blend of literary pursuits and public appearances, a stark contrast to the years spent in hiding. He enjoys the vibrancy of New York City, where he has lived since 2000, and frequently attends public events without fear. “I actually stopped thinking [anything] would happen,” he recounted, reflecting on the years of relative safety following the initial chaos of the fatwa.
The documentary “Knife” not only recounts the assault but also delves into Rushdie’s personal life, including his marriage to Griffiths. The film showcases the emotional toll of the attack, revealing intimate moments of vulnerability and strength. Griffiths’ filming started soon after Rushdie was airlifted to a Pennsylvania hospital, capturing raw footage of his recovery and the couple’s determination to reclaim their narrative.
Rushdie’s refusal to give Matar notoriety speaks volumes about his approach to the attack. He does not wish to amplify the name of the man who tried to silence him. Instead, he chooses to focus on the narrative he and Griffiths are weaving through their lives and work. The documentary represents an act of reclamation, a chance to tell their story on their own terms.
As Rushdie navigates life with his injuries, he remains resolute in his commitment to literature and free expression. His story continues to resonate within the literary community and beyond, serving as a reminder of the fragility of safety and the enduring power of the written word. In the midst of his recovery, Rushdie remains a figure of resilience, navigating the complexities of his new reality while looking ahead to the future.
According to NY POST.
