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			<title>Welcome back, Sharmeen</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1060486/welcome-back-sharmeen</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1060486/welcome-back-sharmeen#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 16 17:44:50 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[kamal.siddiqi]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[In any other country, Sharmeen’s return would have been met with a public welcome. Instead, we were all silent]]>
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				<![CDATA[The conspiracy continues. While Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won the Oscar a second time around, many insist her latest documentary triumph “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” is yet another attempt to defame Pakistan.

This is part of the same international conspiracy, they say, under which Malala Yousafzai received her Nobel prize while there were more deserving candidates. But because the West wants to embarrass Pakistan, it only highlights the negative aspects of our country.

What is worrisome is that these are not the views of the uneducated and the under-privileged. These comments come from our educated middle class. Pakistanis who cry themselves hoarse over other issues like what is happening in Gaza, drone attacks or the country’s VIP culture.

They have been strangely silent over both Pakistan’s second Nobel laureate, and our two-time Oscar winner. The charge-sheet against both Malala and Sharmeen is long, while facts do not come in the way.

In any other country, Sharmeen’s return would have been met with a public welcome. Instead, we were all silent.

Addressing her first news conference upon her return to Karachi from the Oscars, Sharmeen said there are people in Pakistan who find nothing wrong in murdering women. “Obviously working on changing that sort of mindset comes with its own set of difficulties,” she rightly pointed.

At the time of her return, religious parties that remain silent on honour killings were busy protesting against the Women’s Protection Act, a bill passed by the Punjab Assembly recently.

The bill gives unprecedented legal protection to women from domestic, psychological and sexual violence. It also calls for the creation of a toll-free abuse reporting hot-line and the establishment of women shelters.

It is ironic that in our country, children cannot learn in their textbooks about Malala or Sharmeen. The PTI-led K-P government will not allow this in K-P and other provinces too have followed suit. As we mark the International Women’s Day this week, it is important to understand the challenges that Pakistan faces on issues highlighted by Malala and Sharmeen. Most of our girls are not enrolled in schools. They are denied equal opportunities from the day they are born. Their access to education is limited and the quality of education given poor. But the challenges do not end here.

Last year parliament was told by the ministry of law that some 933 women were murdered across the country in honour killings. A total of 456 and 477 cases of honour killings were reported in Pakistan in 2013 and 2014, respectively, with the highest reported cases in Sindh.

Unofficial estimates put the number much higher. As many as 500 women and girls are murdered in honour killings each year making Pakistan one of the most dangerous countries for women. These victims are not just statistics: they are mothers, daughters and sisters and their deaths destroy families. In most instances unfortunately, it is close family members who kill them in the first place.

Honour killings occur all over the country under various names like kala-kali (Punjab), karo-kari (Sindh), tor-tora (K-P) and Siyakari (Balochistan), while our government continues to ignore this as part of our local customs, or so we are told. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Recently, our parliament which is swamped by landlords who prolong this feudal custom took some notice. The Senate passed the Anti-Rape Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2014, and Anti-Honour Killings Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2014. This was moved by a senator from the Pakistan People’s Party, under whose government the situation is the worst in Sindh province.

Let us see what happens next. As things stand, honour killings rarely result in arrest or convictions and even if they are taken into custody, most of the killers are set free on bail. Things need to change. But the change should come in attitudes. For example, rape cases are reported and registered, yet convictions of the accused are abysmally low.

According to HRCP data, 1,957 incidents of honour killings had been recorded over the past four years. The average rate of honour killings of women between 15-64 years was found to be 15 per million women per year. This may be yet another dubious world distinction we have achieved.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2016.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>How ‘A Girl in the River’ cinematographer nearly ended up behind a corporate desk</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1057177/emerging-from-the-shadow-of-dreams</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1057177/emerging-from-the-shadow-of-dreams#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 16 15:50:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hasan Ansari]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1057177</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Who knows what Asad Faruqi may have let slip had he truly pursued the line of work he was initially meant to]]>
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				<![CDATA[Who knows what cinematographer Asad Faruqi may have let slip had he truly pursued the line of work he was initially meant to – Chartered Accountancy. Had fate and passion for storytelling not intervened, the 30-year-old cinematographer may have been left ruing his fate seated behind a corporate desk buried under paperwork and financial documents. But most of all, he may have missed out on the opportunity to be part of an Academy Award-winning team.


“Fortunately for me, I realised very early on that I wasn’t cut out for the 9 to 5 desk job, quit two years into it and went straight to film school,” recalls the Director of Photography (DoP) of A Girl in the River.

Thesis show: Short films portray social, political themes

A graduate of the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology’s (Szabist) Media Sciences programme, Asad’s journey from being a potential chartered accountant to becoming a bona fide documentary film-maker reads like an engrossing coming-of-age story.



Currently basking in the glory of helping Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy bag her second Academy Award a couple of nights ago, Asad lived out the dream of countless aspiring film-makers as he attended the Oscar ceremony. But despite the accolades and praise coming his way, it has not all been smooth sailing for Asad.

Turning back the clock a few years, Asad shares how his decision to switch his field of study from chartered accountancy to film-making was not greeted with cheers and glad tidings by his parents. “Obviously they were a bit apprehensive, especially given the state of Pakistani cinema at that time,” he tells The Express Tribune.

Film review: In the Heart of the Sea - No navigation

While people around him may have tried to talk him out of this decision, remarking how there wasn’t much scope for film-making in Pakistan, Asad was undeterred in his quest as he eventually convinced his parents with the reasoning, “If I am honest with my craft I will excel at it.”

Initially biding his time as a photojournalist for a local publication, word had just gone out that Sharmeen was starting work on a documentary titled Taliban Generation. “When I got to know about the project I contacted her and told her about my [journalism] background after which she took me on board.”

Asad was at first meant to have a smaller role in the production, but managed to impress Sharmeen so much that his post was soon elevated to that of camera operator and associate producer.

Looking back at the project now, Asad terms it as a steep learning curve, noting how he travelled with Sharmeen to Swat – at a time when the military operation had just started – like “true journalists”.

That experience not only played a major role in Asad’s development as a cinematographer, but also as an individual. He says he started viewing the world in the grand scheme of things. “I’ve started viewing things in a completely different manner, which has helped me both professionally and personally.”

Working under Sharmeen’s wing for the better part of a decade, Asad describes his relationship with his collaborator as that of a sibling. “She is like an elder sister to me. She took me under her mentorship when I was very young.” Now, with invaluable experience under his belt, the cinematographer is about to take the director’s chair with his first documentary being produced by Sharmeen.

Rubbing shoulders with some of his idols and winning an award on possibly the grandest stage in cinema is a moment Asad is unlikely to forget. Having missed out on the chance to attend the Academy Awards ceremony in 2012 due to visa issues, Asad was not going to let this opportunity slide by again. Describing the Oscar experience from three nights ago, he shares how they were seated in the balcony of the Dolby Theatre next to some of the major players of Hollywood, including the VFX team from Star Wars.

“It’s just so overwhelming and surreal. Honestly, when I saw the trailer for the other movies I didn’t think we were the favorites,” shares an ecstatic Asad, recounting running into a famous Instagram friend at the ceremony and discussing cinema with him. “I met Emmanuel Lubezki (DoP of The Revenant) for the first time. Previously, we’d just been friends on Instagram as he likes some of my posts and I enjoy his work. But this time we spoke about cinema, Tree of Life in particular, since I really love that film.”

Accompanying Asad and Sharmeen to the Oscar ceremony was another of the latter’s mentors, co-producer of A Girl in the River, Haya Fatima Iqbal. Having flown back from the US, after studying documentary film-making at the New York University (NYU), Haya landed her first job at SOC Films the same day Sharmeen won her first Oscar for Saving Face.

To many it may be Sharmeen’s work ethic and unrelenting nature to get the job done that may serve as an inspiration, but according to Haya it was the director’s nature that stood out. “She is not your typical seth (boss). She’s always accessible, you can go talk to her, and she’ll respect your opinion as well. There is no takalluf with her,” says the co-producer.

Interestingly, both of Sharmeen’s protégés – Asad and Haya – have prior experience in journalism. And both are quick to credit their experience in the newsroom with helping them become well-versed in the art of storytelling.

“Gone are the days when you’d apply the inverted pyramid style to news stories. Now, you have to make your pieces more engaging, just like documentaries. The difference here is just that previously I had a pen and a notepad as a reporter, but now I have a camera as a documentary film-maker,” says Haya.

As the confetti from their celebration settles, Asad and Haya are focusing on their own personal projects. Haya is working on multiple docuseries, while Asad will be making his directorial debut later this year with Indispensable, a documentary that follows the story of a bomb disposal squad.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2016.

Like Life &amp; Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.]]>
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			<title>Loopholes of forgiveness</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1056700/loopholes-of-forgiveness</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1056700/loopholes-of-forgiveness#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 29 Feb 16 18:33:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sahar.bandial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1056700</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In our society, there is honour in murder, not of an aggressor or a tyrant, but of an innocent]]>
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				<![CDATA[Honour is a complex virtue and ideal. It denotes integrity, respect and social stature, and shapes our own sense of value in society. Honour is earned through virtuousness, sacrifice, service and good work. But in our society, there is honour in murder, not of an aggressor or a tyrant, but of an innocent, often vulnerable young girl, who may have exercised her right to marry of her will. This is honour killing and the law, at times, rewards those who kill in the name of honour.

Honour killings happen each day in Pakistan, amidst the indifferent silence of households or, at times, before the closed gates of a Court of Justice. Statistics vary on the number of women murdered for honour each year in Pakistan. The Ministry of Law reports a figure of less than 900 such deaths in the last two years. The Human Rights Commission claims that over 1,000 honour killings occurred in Pakistan in 2014 alone.

The screening of Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s Oscar-winner documentary at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat last week cast the spotlight on honour killing, and inspired our Premier Mian Nawaz Sharif to unequivocally state: “There is no honour in killing. Honour killing is against Islam.”

For the prime minister to have spoken out categorically against honour killing is significant. Many, however, have been left wondering whether such political condemnation will translate into the legal and administrative changes necessary for putting an end to the impunity that surrounds honour killings. The criminal law recognises honour killing as qatl-e-amd and in no way treats the arguable play of honour as a mitigating circumstance. Lacunae in the law, however, often permit perpetrators to go scot-free.

Legislators have, in the past, amended the law, but with little consequence on the incidence of honour killings. The Criminal Law Amendment Act 2005 recognised the specific nature of qatl-e-amd committed in the name of honour and introduced special exceptions to the scheme of applicable penalties: the accused wali (legal heir) of the victim could not pardon himself of the murder under general principles of qisas; provincial governments no longer had the power to suspend or remit a sentence awarded in a case of honour killing, the court was provided the benefit of minimum sentencing guidelines in honour killing cases where qisas could not be enforced.

The real problem, as Ms Chinoy rightly points out, is that the application of Islamic remedies of qisas and diyat creates a loophole of forgiveness in the law governing honour killing, and allows individuals, who are often co-conspirators or instigators, to pardon the murderer. Under Islamic law, murder or qatl-e-amd is an offence against the person. The legal heirs of a deceased victim, therefore, have the eventual say in whether to pardon or punish an accused. But is it reasonable to award such discretion in cases of honour killing to individuals who may have, in some way, supported or abetted the crime or are vulnerable to coercion? No, it is not. The protagonist in Chinoy’s film fell victim to such pressure and was eventually forced to pardon the man — her father — who had attempted to kill her.

Honour killing must be removed from the scope of the qisas and diyat laws. The amendment to the law should not be too controversial. Pursuant to section 311 of the PPC, courts already have the power to sentence a person convicted of honour killing to death or imprisonment for life, notwithstanding any pardon extended to the accused by the victim’s wali. Reportedly, the power is rarely exercised. The only solution lies in entirely closing down the “loophole of forgiveness” in the law, by entirely exempting honour killing from the application of qisas and diyat. The Anti-Honour Killings Laws Bill, 2014, passed last year by the Senate, proposed the necessary amendment to the law: that qisas in cases of qatl-e-amd committed in the name of honour cannot in any instance be compounded. The bill, however, lapsed by reason of delay in introduction before the National Assembly. With the developing political consensus against honour killing, will the bill be revived? Will the government introduce its own version of the amendment or will the stir pass away without much consequence?

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2016.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy hobnobs with A-listers!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/531540/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-hobnobs-with-a-listers</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/531540/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-hobnobs-with-a-listers#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 13 16:31:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=531540</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Obaid-Chinoy was spotted with celebs Meryl Streep, America Ferrera and Angelina Jolie!]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Academy Award-winning film-maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy recently attended the Newsweek Women in the World Summit in New York to discuss global issues and launch her new film Humaira: The Dream Catcher.

At an event held at the David H Koch Theater — Lincoln, Obaid-Chinoy along with activists Humaira Bachal and Khalida Brohi were spotted with celebs Meryl Streep, America Ferrera and Angelina Jolie!



Newsweek &amp; The Daily Beast’s 2013 Women in the World Summit welcomed a diversity of inspirational women on April 4 and 5 to discuss ways in which community building can further gender equality. It featured renowned personalities from diverse fields such as the former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, TV host Oprah Winfrey, CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour, Indian journalist Barkha Dutt, actor Tom Hanks along with Obaid-Chinoy. Wearing a lovely Adnan Pardesy outfit, Obaid-Chinoy was part of a special segment named ‘The next generation of Malalas’ moderated by Christiane Amanpour, where the Oscar winning documentary film-maker introduced the house to two young women, Humaira Bachal and Khalida Brohi in Pakistan who were fighting in obscurity and risking their lives for the rights of women and girls—including the right to go to school.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2013. 

Like Life &amp; Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.]]>
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			<title>Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy nominated as SAARC Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/413834/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-nominated-as-saarc-goodwill-ambassador-for-hivaids</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/413834/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-nominated-as-saarc-goodwill-ambassador-for-hivaids#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 12 15:08:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=413834</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Tennis player Aisamul Haq has been approved as an alternate nominee.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has been nominated as the Saarc Goodwill Ambassador for HIV and AIDS from Pakistan, while Tennis player Aisamul Haq has been approved as an alternate nominee.

The approval of the nominations was granted by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on a summary moved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Saarc Secretariat has invited one or two nominations from each member state for the appointment of Saarc Goodwill Ambassador for HIV and AIDS.

The practice of honorary appointment of a Saarc Goodwill Ambassador for HIV and AIDS has been in place since 2008 as part of the work plan for the Saarc regional strategy on HIV/AIDS. The Saarc Council of Ministers confers this honorary title to leading well-known figures in the region.

Indian actress and social activist Shabana Azmi and Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Teran Jayasuriya have served as Saarc Goodwill Ambassadors for HIV and AIDS for the period 2008-2010.

Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary Saving Face, featuring acid attack victims in Pakistan. The film won an Oscar award as well as the Saarc Film Festival 2012 Award.

Tennis player Haq is a National Goodwill Ambassador of United Nations Development Programme as well as a Youth Ambassador of Pakistan Red Crescent Society.]]>
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			<title>Saving Face's Rukhsana gets a house, still vows action against Obaid-Chinoy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/412465/saving-faces-rukhsana-gets-a-house-still-vows-action-against-obaid-chinoy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/412465/saving-faces-rukhsana-gets-a-house-still-vows-action-against-obaid-chinoy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 12 16:18:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Rukhsana gets house from Islamic Help Foundation, says she will pursue money promise from Obaid-Chinoy.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Rukhsana, the acid attack survivor featured in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Saving Face, said she has received a 3.5 marla house in Multan on Tuesday, part of an independent agreement with a non-governmental organisation which also works with the film's director.

However, Rukhsana was adamant that she would press for action against the filmmaker for what she claims was an unfulfilled promise of gratifications for appearing in the Oscar award winning film.

Express News reported on Tuesday that the NGO Islamic Health Foundation, with a help of a donor, had arranged for a house for Rukhsana. The property had been accepted by the acid victim, confirmed IHF official General Major Khalilur Rehman.

Rukhsana had unleashed allegations against the filmmaker saying that she had promised her a house, plastic surgery and Rs300,000. Claiming the promise was unfulfilled, she had registered a case against Obaid-Chinoy.

The filmmaker denied the allegations, saying that the house was promised by the IHF through a donor, and initial offerings had been rejected. Offers of plastic surgery, extended to Rukhsana and the other acid victim featured in the film, had also been reportedly rejected.

After receiving the keys of the house, Rukhsana told the media that she will take legal action against the filmmaker and will get money from her to help acid victims like herself.]]>
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			<title>Saving Face director denies making promises to film subjects</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/401615/saving-face-director-denies-making-promises-to-film-subjects</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/401615/saving-face-director-denies-making-promises-to-film-subjects#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 30 Jun 12 16:50:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[gibran.ashraf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=401615</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy says no court notices received yet. Says they are doing everything they can to help Rukhsana]]>
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				<![CDATA[Objecting to allegations of making promises of monetary compensation to the acid victim and subject in the Oscar winning documentary, ‘Saving Face’, director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has said that she believes the subject’s husband is pulling the strings.

The director clarified to The Express Tribune that no court summons or legal notices from the Multan court had been received yet. In case notices are received, she said their legal team would be consulted on the way forward.

Obaid-Chinoy said that non-governmental organisation Islamic Health had extended support in the form of bearing costs for reconstructive surgery of the two chief subjects in the film, Zakia and Rukhsana. They were to be operated on by Dr Mohammad Ali Jawad, also featured in the film.

A June 28 release from Islamic Health stated that Dr Jawad returned to Pakistan in April of this year as part of his annual surgical camps. In collaboration with Islamic health, reconstructive surgery was extended to both the subjects. Zakia was operated on.

However, Rukhsana refused the surgery due to unknown reasons.

Obaid-Chinoy told The Express Tribune that Rukhsana was still living with her husband, and in-laws, who had thrown acid over her and doused her with petrol, respectively. “I feel sad and sympathise with her, and I believe her husband is pulling the strings.”

Responding to a question on whether she had ever extended any promise of money, or in kind payments to Rukhsana’s family, Obaid-Chinoy said “no one from the documentary filmmaking world would ever offer money, its unethical.” She went on to add, “this is not my first documentary film, but this is the first time such an incident has happened.”

Acid victim Rukhsana, featured in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Oscar winning documentary Saving Face, had alleged that the filmmaker promised to give her Rs3 million and a house, and also promised to help her with plastic surgery for working in the film, but did not fulfil any of her promises.

The filmmaker said that Islamic Health has come out again offering to arrange surgery. An international donor had initially offered to buy Rukhsana a house under her own name, so as to prevent it from being usurped by her husband or in-laws. However, that offer was refused by Rukhsana.

For her part, Obaid-Chinoy says they are doing “all we can to help Rukhsana.”

With respect to involvement with Islamic Health and her own out reach programme for acid victims, the Oscar winning director said they are currently designing public service materials which will be used by the NGO and its local partners to spread awareness about acid crimes and the punishments carried against it under Pakistani laws.

Saving Face, a 40-minute film, focuses on Zakia and Rukhsana as they fight to rebuild their lives after being attacked by their husbands.]]>
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			<title>The price of winning an Oscar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/401190/the-price-of-winning-an-oscar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/401190/the-price-of-winning-an-oscar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 12 18:24:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[bina.shah]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Is that the very man who threw acid on Rukhsana’s face is now demanding money from Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy?]]>
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				<![CDATA[When Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daniel Junge won the Oscar in March for their short documentary Saving Face, about the victims of acid attacks in Pakistan, the entire nation erupted in joy. Obaid-Chinoy was hailed as a “daughter of the nation” (a phrase which makes me cringe with its chauvinistic, nationalist overtones) and suddenly everyone wanted a piece of her glory. “How do you know Sharmeen?” became the question of the day and it seemed that everybody had some tale of being best friends with her since childhood.

Fair enough, that’s part of being an international celebrity — the sycophancy, the obsequiousness, the hangers-on — and any person who’s properly grounded will know better than to let it sway her too much. But there’s a darker side of success: some will attempt to gain financially by their connection to the celebrity, especially if large sums of money are involved in that success. And that’s exactly what’s happened now, with one of the women featured in the documentary, Rukhsana, claiming that Obaid-Chinoy promised her three million rupees and a house, but never delivered.

For those of you who haven’t seen the documentary, Rukhsana was the woman who had acid thrown on her face by her husband, but instead of leaving him like Zakia did, Rukhsana stayed with both him and his family because they told her that if she walked out, she’d never see her young daughter again. Rukhsana also had to postpone her surgery with Dr Mohammed Jawad because she fell pregnant and the doctor told her it was unsafe to carry on with their plans to rebuild her face in those circumstances. Although the doctor returned to Pakistan in April of this year and offered to perform the surgery on her at this time, she refused for reasons which are unclear.

At the time of filming, Rukhsana signed a consent form to appear in the documentary, but it’s obvious that she and her husband’s family were expecting that there would be financial benefits to the participation. However, documentary subjects are usually not paid for their appearing in these films. Obaid-Chinoy says that a donor promised to buy Rukhsana a house, but that Rukhsana’s family viewed some houses and then refused to buy any, hoping to hold out for more money instead. Since then, she has gone to the media with her allegations against Obaid-Chinoy and says she will sue the film-maker for compensation.

Obaid-Chinoy had promised that any profits from airing the documentary in Pakistan would go to the victims of acid throwing featured in the movie and to the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF). But Rukhsana and the ASF filed a civil suit, which stopped the airing of the movie in the country, citing concerns for their safety, with which Obaid-Chinoy duly obliged. Yet, Obaid-Chinoy stands firm that no wrongdoing has occurred in her dealings with Rukhsana. “In my 11 years as a documentary maker, 16 films across 10 countries, this has never happened before,” she said in a series of tweets on social media site Twitter. “She has been coerced into this by her family. She needs psychological and medical help.”

What’s astonishing is that with this latest controversy, Obaid-Chinoy is now being attacked by people on both the right and left wing of the political spectrum. Abdul Nishapuri of the Let Us Build Pakistan website that raises awareness about the killings of Shias and Baloch minorities, says rather ridiculously that the controversy “highlights the selective morality and urban elitist bias of the Pakistani elite”. Equally ridiculously, conservatives are blaming Obaid-Chinoy for making Pakistan “look bad” in the eyes of the world. But Haroon Riaz, another blogger and amateur photographer, perhaps, describes it best when he says, “The fact that Chinoy won the Oscar will always hurt the wounded pride of acid-throwing Pakistani males”.

What’s important to remember, in the end, is that the very man who threw acid on Rukhsana’s face is now demanding money from Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy; this boils down to him wanting financial compensation for having disfigured his own wife. I can’t help being reminded of the countless beggar children on the streets of Karachi with their limbs twisted and amputated, hands stretched out for money day after day between the lines of traffic. The people who send them out to beg know that there’s more money in remaining a victim than becoming a survivor. If being embroiled in this kind of diabolical business is the price of fame, I certainly don’t envy Obaid-Chinoy or her Oscar one bit. Do you?

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Acid attack survivor says Obaid-Chinoy did not keep her word</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400581/acid-attack-survivor-says-obaid-chinoy-did-not-keep-her-word</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400581/acid-attack-survivor-says-obaid-chinoy-did-not-keep-her-word#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 12 16:21:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ema Anis]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=400581</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Saving Face film-maker bewildered by acid attack survivor’s accusations.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After the recent imbroglio where Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy came under criticism for allegedly not obtaining the consent of the acid attack survivors in Saving Face before airing the documentary, the film-maker has come under fire again.

Rukhsana, an acid attack survivor featured in the documentary, has alleged that the filmmaker promised to give her Rs3 million and a house, and also promised to help her with plastic surgery for working in the film, but did not fulfill any of her promises.

Rukhsana told Express News that Obaid-Chinoy made her sign “blank papers” with these terms, but failed to deliver. “In our family we wear the topi-burqa (face veil),” said Rukhsana. “When she (Obaid-Chinoy) got the Oscar, the film was shown across the world. When my husband saw it, he expelled me from the house and even my parents stopped talking to me,” she deplored.

The acid attack survivor also claimed that she had sent a legal notice to the filmmaker through a lawyer.

Local newspapers reported that Obaid-Chinoy had promised to construct a house on “five marla” (approx 150 square foot) plot in Multan.

While talking to Express News, Obaid-Chinoy said that no documentary-maker would ever promise such a thing because it is unethical. “I have made 16 films in 10 countries and nothing of this sort has ever happened.”

She added, however, that a donor had expressed his desire of buying Rukhsana a house after watching the film. “The donor wanted Rukhsana to be given a house as money can be snatched by anyone. Rukhsana, her husband and her children even went to see the house. We even have the pictures. But her husband refused to take the house and told Rukhsana that she can get more money instead.”

When asked about Rukhsana’s concerns about her identity being made public after the film was released, Obaid-Chinoy said that Rukhsana was filmed in her village in front of her parents. “Her parents were interviewed, her husband was also interviewed. If they did not know about the film, how come they are interviewed in it?”

She also clarified that she had not received any legal notice from the acid attack survivor. “On what basis will I get a legal notice? Does she have any papers or documents? Legal cases can only be initiated when you have some proof… Why would I make her sign blank pages? What would I want from her?”

The filmmaker also questioned why Rukhsana is levelling allegations against her after many months have passed since she received the Oscar. “When the Oscars took place, she went to newspapers and other media and told everyone that she was happy about informing the world about acid attacks. And now she is telling them that I had promised her things?”

Despite the accusations being leveled against her, Obaid-Chinoy reiterated that people should help Rukhsana. “We still want to help her, but our hands are tied. The survivors and the Acid Survivors Foundation have moved a civil court appealing that Saving Face should not be aired in Pakistan. If I give money to Rukhsana through donors at this moment, won’t the court say that I’m bribing her to get my film aired?”

When asked about the royalty Rukhsana has demanded for working in her film, said, “What royalty? We had announced that whenever anyone watches the movie in Pakistan, the money would go to the victims. But the movie is not being allowed to run in the country.”

Obaid-Chinoy had also earlier insisted that the women featured in the film signed legal documents allowing the film to be shown anywhere in the world, including Pakistan.

Saving Face, a 40-minute film, focuses on Zakia and Rukhsana as they fight to rebuild their lives after being attacked by their husbands.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Sharmeen Obaid did not fulfil promise of Rs3m, plastic surgery: Acid victim</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400532/obaid-chinoy-did-not-fulfil-promise-of-rs3m-plastic-surgery-acid-victim</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400532/obaid-chinoy-did-not-fulfil-promise-of-rs3m-plastic-surgery-acid-victim#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 12 11:54:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ema Anis]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=400532</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rukhsa­na says she has sent legal notice, filmma­ker denies all allega­tions.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Acid victim Rukhsana, featured in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Oscar winning documentary Saving Face, has alleged that the filmmaker promised to give her Rs3 million and a house, and also promised to help her with plastic surgery for working in the film, but did not fulfil any of her promises.

Rukhsana told the media that Obaid-Chinoy made her sign blank papers but a year has passed and none of her promises have been fulfilled. “In our family we wear the topi-burqa... When she [Obaid-Chinoy] got the Oscar, the film was shown across the world. When my husband saw it, he expelled me from the house and even my parents stopped talking to me,” Rukhsana said.

The acid victim also claimed that she had sent a legal notice to the filmmaker through a lawyer.

A trend “JusticeForRukhsana” also started trending on Twitter after media reports covering Rukhsana’s allegations were published. The reports claimed that Obaid-Chinoy had promised Rukhsana Rs3 million, construction of a house on 5 Marla (approx 150sq-ft) plot in Multan and plastic surgery.

Obaid-Chinoy, while talking to Express News, said that no documentary-maker would ever promise anything because it is unethical. “I have made 16 films in 10 countries and nothing of this sort has ever happened.”

She however added that a donor had expressed his desire of getting Rukhsana a house after watching the film. “The donor wanted Rukhsana to be given a house as money can be snatched by anyone. Rukhsana, her husband and her children even went to see the house. We even have the pictures. But her husband refused to take the house and told Rukhsana that she can get more money instead.”

When asked about Rukhsana’s allegations of her identity being revealed through the film, Obaid-Chinoy said that Rukhsana was filmed in her village in front of her parents. “Her parents were interviewed, her husband was also interviewed. If they did not know about the film, how come they are interviewed in it?”

She also clarified that she had not received any legal notice from the acid victim. “On what basis will I get a legal notice? Does she have any papers or documents? Legal cases can only be initiated when you have some proof... Why would I make her sign blank pages? What would I want from her?”

The filmmaker also questioned why Rukhsana is coming on the media and levelling allegations against her after so many months had passed since she received the Oscar. “When the Oscars took place, she went to newspapers and other media and told everyone that she was happy for informing the world about acid attacks. And now she is coming on the media to say that I had promised her things?”

But, she appealed that people should help Rukhsana as she is a victim. “We still want to help her, but our hands are tied. Victims and the Acid Survivors Foundation have moved a civil court appealing that Saving Face should not be aired in Pakistan. If I give money to Rukhsana through donors at this moment, won’t the court say that I’m bribing her to get my film aired?”

When asked about the royalty Rukhsana has demanded for working in her film, Sharmeen said, “What royalty? We had announced that whenever anyone watches the movie in Pakistan, the money would go to the victims. But the movie is not being allowed to run in the country.”

Obaid-Chinoy had also earlier insisted that the women featured in the film signed legal documents allowing the film to be shown anywhere in the world, including Pakistan.

Saving Face, a 40-minute film, focuses on Zakia and Rukhsana as they fight to rebuild their lives after being attacked by their husbands, and British Pakistani plastic surgeon Mohammad Jawad who tries to help repair their shattered looks.]]>
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			<title>Face saving needed for Saving Face</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/387415/face-saving-needed-for-saving-face</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/387415/face-saving-needed-for-saving-face#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 12 18:57:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Syed Mohammad Ali .]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=387415</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Chinoy must respect wishes of acid survivors, even if she obtained consent from them for films release.]]>
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				<![CDATA[It was upsetting to note recent media reports pointing out how some of the acid attack survivors portrayed in the Oscar winning movie, Saving face, have been compelled to seek legal assistance to prevent the director of the movie from releasing it for viewing in Pakistan.

Having done research for the same NGO which facilitated Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy in making her documentary — including firsthand meetings with many acid attack survivors, as well as with some of the perpetrators of such attacks, and visits to communities within which such heinous incidents had occurred — one does appreciate the nuances behind this seemingly strange turn of events.

I certainly do not begrudge Ms Obaid-Chinoy or her Oscar. Her accomplishment, in fact, has instilled a sense of pride among Pakistanis around the world. I also do not think that shedding light on a disturbing phenomenon, which continues to afflict tragedy and suffering in the lives of many people in our country, should be avoided out of fear that it will reinforce Western stereotypes. Even the fact that the US was quick to hand out an Oscar for a movie highlighting gender violence and thereafter denied granting a visa to another Pakistani documentary maker who chose to focus on the human cost of drone strikes, is more of a problem for US analysts and concerned citizens to contend with or to challenge. It is the ethical dimension surrounding the screening of Saving face documentary within Pakistan, however, which has evoked a personal sense of distress in me.

On the one hand, I realise the need to not only create awareness, but to take practical steps to prevent acid attacks in Pakistan. It is great to see Ms Obaid-Chinoy becoming very proactive on this issue subsequent to the Oscar win and the honours conferred on her by our government. However, she must stop insisting on screening the documentary within Pakistan if these survivors feel that they could be at risk of a backlash when and if the released film is seen by people they know. Given that the movie itself acknowledges the complex realities that these acid survivors must contend with, Ms Obaid-Chinoy must respect the wishes of these survivors, even if she had obtained some form of consent from them regarding its release. After all, the survivors featured in the documentary have not exactly signed acting contracts.

The NGO which initially provided access to the acid attack survivors — it prefers to use the term ‘survivor’ instead of ‘victim’ in order to infuse a sense of empowerment amongst people trying to recover and rehabilitate subsequent to acid attacks — is now trying to help them by providing assistance in going to court if required, to stop the documentary maker from showing the movie in Pakistan.

I have not had a chance to speak with Ms Obaid-Chinoy directly on this issue, so I do not know her side of the story. But whatever her perspective is, surely the need to protect the very people who have propelled her to international fame and glory must take precedence over any further publicity of her work. Moreover, there are several other ways to help create awareness on this issue, as well as countering the prevalence of acid attacks. Ongoing advocacy by those working on this issue have identified many practical means which merit further attention, ranging from curbing unregulated sale of concentrated acid to the need for demanding effective implementation of the new legislation that provides for the prosecution of acid attack perpetrators and to simultaneously paying greater attention to help survivors cope with recovery and rehabilitation. It is these unaddressed areas that Ms Obaid-Chinoy must offer greater attention on, rather than trying to insist upon screening her already awarded documentary in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>'Never said Saving Face would not be shown in Pakistan'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384102/never-said-saving-face-would-not-be-shown-in-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384102/never-said-saving-face-would-not-be-shown-in-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 May 12 13:47:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Obaid-Chinoy, Junge say subjects were told beforehand, had signed legal releases.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Responding to accusations by the Acid Survivors Foundation Pakistan (ASF), directors of the Oscar-winning film Saving Face Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daniel Junge said they never promised that the film would not be broadcast in Pakistan.

According to a joint press release, the directors said the subjects of the documentary were told beforehand that Saving Face would be shown in Pakistan.

The ASF, which had cooperated on the film, is taking legal action against the producers as some survivors expressed fears of a backlash.

“We had no idea it would be a hit and win an Oscar. It’s completely wrong. We never allowed them to show this film in Pakistan,” said Naila Farhat, 22, who features fleetingly in the documentary.

Chinoy and Junge said that the acid-attack survivors featured in the documentary had signed legal releases. “The legal releases were presented to anyone who was part of the film and these were also made available in Urdu and fully explained to the subjects by the ASF themselves, precisely to ensure that there was no ambiguity and to maintain the highest standard of ethics on our part,” the press statement said.

The directors also said they never made financial commitments to the victims.]]>
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			<title>Acid victims fear backlash over Saving Face</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/382932/acid-victims-fear-backlash-over-oscar-film</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/382932/acid-victims-fear-backlash-over-oscar-film#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 May 12 07:25:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=382932</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Legal notices were sent to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and fellow producer Daniel Junge on Friday.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Survivors of acid attacks whose plight became the focus of an Oscar-winning documentary now fear ostracism and reprisals if the film is broadcast in Pakistan.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy made history earlier this year when she won Pakistan's first Oscar, feted across the country for exposing the horrors endured by women whose faces are obliterated in devastating acid attacks.

Her 40-minute film focuses on Zakia and Rukhsana as they fight to rebuild their lives after being attacked by their husbands, and British Pakistani plastic surgeon Mohammad Jawad who tries to help repair their shattered looks.

When Saving Face scooped a coveted gold statuette in the documentary category in Hollywood in February, campaigners were initially jubilant.

The Acid Survivors Foundation Pakistan (ASF) had cooperated on the film but some survivors now fear a backlash in a deeply conservative society - and are taking legal action against the producers.

"We had no idea it would be a hit and win an Oscar. It's completely wrong. We never allowed them to show this film in Pakistan," said Naila Farhat, 22, who features fleetingly in the documentary.

She was 13 when the man she refused to marry threw acid in her face as she walked home from Independence Day celebrations. She lost an eye and her attacker was jailed for 12 years.

After a long, painful recovery, she is training as a nurse.

"This is disrespect to my family, to my relatives and they'll make an issue of it. You know what it's like in Pakistan. They gossip all the time if they see a woman in a film," said Farhat, taut skin where her left eye dissolved.

"We may be in more danger and we're scared that, God forbid, we could face the same type of incident again. We do not want to show our faces to the world."

Lawyer Naveed Muzaffar Khan, whom ASF hired to represent the victims, said legal notices were sent to Obaid-Chinoy and fellow producer Daniel Junge on Friday.

The survivors, he said, "have not consented for it to be publicly released in Pakistan", adding that such agreement was required for all the women who featured in the film, no matter how fleetingly.

Khan said the producers had seven days to agree not to release the film publicly in the country, or he would go to court to seek a formal injunction.

"They (survivors) were absolutely clear in their mind in not allowing any public screening as that would jeopardise their life in Pakistan and make it difficult for them to continue to live in their villages," he told AFP.

But Obaid-Chinoy insisted the women signed legal documents allowing the film to be shown anywhere in the world, including Pakistan.

She told AFP that Rukhsana had been edited out of the version to be shown in the country out of respect for her concerns, adding she was "unclear about the allegations" and would respond to the legal complaints "when a court orders us".

Rukhsana was not reachable for comment.

Many of the women are routinely threatened by their husbands or relatives and it is a television broadcast that they particularly fear.

"The accessibility is so wide scale, the chances are their lives are going to be threatened," said the lawyer, Khan.

The producers promised that profits from screenings in Pakistan would go to Zakia and Rukhsana, but the row also hints at deeper differences between film-makers trying to tell a story and charity workers on the ground.

Some medical personnel, for example, believe it was wrong to focus on an expatriate doctor at the expense of countless local surgeons who have treated dozens of victims.

Others believe the film was too sensational and question whether it really will make a difference to the survivors struggling to live in Pakistan, where there are scores of such attacks each year.]]>
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			<title>Saving face</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379818/saving-face-3</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379818/saving-face-3#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 12 18:45:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[bina.shah]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=379818</guid>
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				<![CDATA[I came away from the movie understanding my country much better than I had when I went in.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Saving Face is one of the most difficult movies I’ve ever had to watch, but I was unable to take my eyes off the screen for the entire duration of the film. I was lucky to see the Oscar-winning documentary at a private screening in Karachi, because it’s uncertain when the film will be released for general showing in Pakistan because of its sensitive subject matter. But Saving Face is a movie that every man and woman in Pakistan must watch, to understand the depth of the problem of domestic violence in our country, as well as the resilience and courage of Pakistani women who continue to strive for equality and justice in every strata of society.

First off, prepare yourself for the absolute horror of seeing acid attack victims on screen. We’ve all seen photographs of Fakhra Younus and other women who have suffered acid attacks, but it’s nothing like the impact of seeing them on film, talking about their ordeals, relating their stories, weeping tears of pain and frustration at their circumstances. The physical damage of their bodies is almost outdone by the emotional and spiritual damage of their minds and souls. The moment Zakia, one of the women featured in the movie, came on screen, facial skin burned away, lips askew, one eye completely fused shut, everyone in the audience gasped. There were many points in the film where I had to look away because what I was seeing was too much to bear. But their voices continued to ring in our ears, and I had to bring my eyes back to witness them again and again.

The movie is strung on a narrative that seems simple at first. Two women, Zakia and Rukhsana, have been burned with acid by their husbands. Dr Mohammad Jawad comes from the UK armed with advanced plastic surgery techniques in order to help repair their faces. In the meantime, Zakia fights a court case against her husband, who has been threatening her and her family, while Rukhsana is forced to go back and live with her husband’s family, even though they have taken away her access to her daughter. The Pakistani parliament considers and passes a law making acid attack a heinous crime in Pakistan.

Because the film ends with a positive outcome for Zakia and a somewhat hopeful outcome for Rukhsana, I had wondered before watching Saving Face whether or not it was a fairy tale that offered a feel-good story of redemption in order to please its viewers. But I’m glad to say this isn’t so. The narrative is straightforward and linear, which is absolutely necessary because the entire subject is so complex; the simplicity of the narrative’s trajectory serves to highlight, not whitewash, that complexity. It considers the issue of acid attacks from all angles: the medical, cultural, societal, and legal aspects. But the filmmakers stay out of the frame of the camera, allowing the women and the other characters in the movie to speak in their own words about the impact of the attacks on their lives.

I had also wondered whether the figure of Dr Mohammed Jawad represented a white knight sort of saviour, flying in with technology from the West in order to save the blighted women of the East. I’d heard rumblings that he was a chauvinistic figure who treated his patients with insensitivity and condescension. This, too, is untrue; I saw nothing but his warmth and compassion throughout the movie, and his offhand humourous — sometimes inappropriate — comments were characteristic of doctors who use dark humour in order to deal with the monstrous suffering of their patients. It’s the way they maintain a professional distance from the people they’re trying to help.

But most important of all, Saving Face does not portray Rukhsana or Zakia as complete victims. Yes, they have suffered one of the worst physical ordeals imaginable, but they have survived it, and they are fighting back. I was astonished by their faith, their courage, their unwillingness to succumb to the temptation of suicide. Both women travel far distances to reach Dr Jawad, they stay strong for their children, they maintain relationships of equality and partnership with the doctor, the lawyer who’s fighting Zakia’s case, the women of the Acid Survivors Foundation. They are resolute in blaming their husbands — false forgiveness is not for them — but are determined to fight in order to create a better future for themselves and their children. I salute their courage and the dedication of those who help them in their fight.

Their stories, and the images and sounds of Saving Face all work together to create a rich tapestry that provokes not just an emotional response, but an intellectual one. I came away from the movie understanding my country much better than I had when I went in. Pakistan is full of misogyny and patriarchy, but there’s a better Pakistan struggling against that one to emerge, one that wants a modern society with no place for the ancient cruelties, for criminals who escape without punishment, for women to take their place alongside men as equally valued members of society. The women of Saving Face, the issue of acid attacks and the greater issue of domestic violence, and the struggle to raise awareness and bring about change in the law and in societal attitudes towards women are the crucible in which a better Pakistan will be born one day. And the women of Pakistan are the ones who will lead the charge.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy flies high with Ho Yaqeen</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374501/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-flies-high-with-ho-yaqeen</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374501/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-flies-high-with-ho-yaqeen#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 05 May 12 15:19:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saadia.qamar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=374501</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The award-winning documentarian’s latest venture shows a different reality of Pakistan.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The wonderfully theatrical and award-winning costume designer Cecil Beaton once said, “Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against all the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.” Fancy words aside, there are very few amongst us who actually dare to be different. Oscar winner Sharmeen-Obaid-Chinoy, known for taking on unique subjects with her documentaries, has been working on latest documentary series which captures her voyage to find and retell the stories of those lesser-known visionaries who are trying to bring a change in Pakistan.


The six-part documentary Ho Yaqeen, made by Obaid-Chinoy’s company SOC Films and in collaboration with Coca-Cola, will be shown across 16 TV channels in six months. Chinoy recently held an event to screen the first part of the film and announced details of her latest project.

What it’s about?

Talking about the details of the film, Obaid -Chinoy said, “The documentary series is about those people who fight against all odds and bring a positive change in society. It’s all about trying to make a difference in the lives of people despite facing various odds in life. Ho Yaqeen is about six lives. There are six documentaries about people belonging to six different cities of Pakistan — from Karachi to Muzaffarabad.”

With an Oscar win behind Obaid-Chinoy, anticipations and expectations for her latest venture ran high and this was most evident by a full house attendance by both local celebrities and the media. Photographer Kohi Marri, RJ Khalid Malik and fashion designer Safinaz Muneer were present to see the first part of the series.

Ho Yaqeen – Part 1

Ho Yaqeen’s first part captured a woman named Sabina Khatri, whose educational institute for residents of Karachi’s Lyari area called Kiran School, laid a foundation for education in the area. Within a span of five years, she had transformed 90 young lives. Khatri, who was present at the event, said, “Every child that I see on the streets of Lyari is practically like my own child. Pakistan has so much talent that if you turn a stone, you will find a diamond hidden in a rock — basically a child who is smart and intelligent, but lacks the support to turn hi or her life around. All we can do is to bring them in our hearts and homes and give them a chance.

Regarding her struggles, she said, “I really couldn’t have done this without the support of my children. And of course, my husband who has been my supportive, yet silent guardian angel.”

Response

By the end of the screening, the entire ambiance had turned into one of positivity and patriotism. On her experience watching the film, President of Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT&amp;ITES Jehan Ara said, “Sharmeen’s work excels in projecting a totally different side of Pakistan. A side that we should all celebrate and be proud of.”

Musician Zoe Viccaji, who also attended the event, said that there was never a dull moment throughout the documentary. “I was glued to it from start to end,” stated the musician.

Her look

Staying true to her tradition of supporting Pakistani female designers, Obaid-Chinoy stood in her green and white Sania Maskatiya outfit at the event. She accessorised it with a Pakistani flag-inspired bag by Maheen Hussain from the designer’s Independence Day collection.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The 2012 TIME 100: Justice Chaudhry, Obaid-Chinoy among Time’s 100 influential people</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/366830/the-2012-time-100-justice-chaudhry-obaid-chinoy-among-time%e2%80%99s-100-influential-people</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/366830/the-2012-time-100-justice-chaudhry-obaid-chinoy-among-time%e2%80%99s-100-influential-people#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 12 03:55:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=366830</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Annual list celebrates breakouts, pioneers, moguls, leaders and icons.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The prestigious Time magazine describes them as people who inspire us, entertain us, challenge us and change our world. They are the breakouts, pioneers, moguls, leaders and icons that have had a categorical influence in the world.


Last year it was the Pakistani spymaster, Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who figured on the list of the world’s 100 most influential people. This year, Pakistan’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy replaced him.

Time published its annual list on Wednesday, showcasing a typically eclectic mix of personalities, ranging from the rich and powerful to popular entertainers and artists — compiled after an online poll of readers.

The chief justice

In Time’s write-up marking Justice Chaudhry’s entry in the coveted list, Imran Khan writes: “Iftikhar Chaudhry has become the first head of Pakistan’s Supreme Court to attempt to bring the powerful to justice. He has taken on the prime minister and the president in an effort to hold them to account. It’s not just politicians either. Chaudhry, 63, is also seeking to take Pakistan’s intelligence agencies to task for their human rights abuses.”

Placing the onus of justice on the head of the judiciary, Khan concluded: “Will (Justice) Chaudhry hold firm and find the prime minister guilty of contempt? A nation long deprived of justice now anxiously awaits it.”

The filmmaker 

This year Time chose 38 women for the top 100, one of which is a Pakistani — Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy whose documentary won the Academy Award.

To pay tribute to the filmmaker and women rights crusader, Hollywood actor and director Angelina Jolie marks her entrance in the world’s most influential peoples’ list by saying:

“Pakistan’s first Oscar belongs to a monumental campaign that is changing the legal, social and political fate of survivors of acid-related violence. Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary Saving Face brought Pakistan’s acid-violence problem to the world stage.”

Talking about her documentary which focuses on the plight of acid attack victims, Jolie writes: “The ‘victims’ in Saving Face are some of the strongest, most impressive women you will ever come across. She [Obaid-Chinoy] showed us their scars, and we saw their true beauty.

“I dare anyone to watch this film and not be moved to tears and inspired into action.”

The Time’s list of 100 most influential people includes Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, singer Adele, football genius Lionel Messi and British royalty celebrity Pippa Middleton, among others.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Shame on us</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/357526/shame-on-us-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/357526/shame-on-us-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 12 18:55:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[salman.rashid]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=357526</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[We do not recognise our heroes, great spirits who lighten up the dark landscape that Pakistan has become.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The contents of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s film were known in some circles in Pakistan, though not widely enough to be common knowledge, and there was no celebration in this blighted land prior to her winning the Oscar. No one acknowledged the courage of Ms Obaid-Chinoy to talk about something we would rather not know. No one celebrated her mastery over the craft of film-making.

Then, word came from across the seas of this wonderful young woman winning that coveted award. An award from the government, it was suddenly decided, was very much in order. So lacking of finesse was the haste in announcing the local award that it was obvious the babus were goaded out of their sleep only because of the Oscar.

Imagine what would have happened if Obaid-Chinoy had not won the Oscar. Since we do not wish to acknowledge the darkness of our souls, she would have been hounded to the far side of hell for revealing our evil. Her documentary about victims of acid attacks would have been a ‘nefarious act to defame the country’. We kid ourselves, because the country is already infamous for the various forms of evil we practice.

Shortly after the Oscar was won, while most of us yahoos were celebrating Obaid-Chinoy’s feat –– because the West showed us the way –– there were murmurs from envious detractors. Why had she worked on some Western agenda to smear the good name of Pakistan, it was said. In the event of there having been no Oscar, I would have been surprised if the keepers of public morality and Pakistan’s honour (read: TV anchorpersons) hadn’t forced this brave and talented woman into exile for fear of her life.

Now that Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has the Oscar and some medal or the other from the now-awake government, what about Dr Mohammad Ali Jawad? This kindly-faced, bespectacled angel practices plastic surgery in London and comes out every summer to rebuild the faces of those unfortunate women who have suffered acid burns. He leaves a thriving practice in England and does this work in Pakistan free of charge.

Since he features in the documentary, why have we Pakistanis not celebrated his name together with Obaid-Chinoy’s? Will he have to be knighted first by the Queen of England for us to simply acknowledge, if not celebrate, his acts of kindness? Here, I must hasten to add that I hold no brief for the good doctor. He is not a relative and is a friend I have never met.

We are a peculiar people. We do not recognise our heroes and the great spirits who lighten up the dark landscape that Pakistan has become. Obaid-Chinoy forced us to look into our souls (the gareban of Urdu), albeit rather begrudgingly because we do not wish to acknowledge our own brutality. Dr Jawad brought the lives of so many victims as close to normalcy as was possible under the circumstances. Shame on us for singing our documentary maker’s name only after the Academy honoured her. And ever more shame on us for not even being aware of Dr Jawad.

For us, a hero is only an uneducated lout who plays cricket. No other sport matters, nor any achievement in any other field. If sports are our only producer of heroes, how many people know of Nazir Sabir, the first Pakistani to summit Mount Everest and the greatest alpinist the country has ever produced? How many know of the feats of Colonel Sher Khan or Ashraf Aman? Indeed, how many have ever heard of the pluck and perseverance of supermen like Little Karim, Rajab Shah and the countless others who have done wonders where no Pakistani television reporter has ever dared to be?

Shame on us, for we do not even know our heroes from the con artists among us.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Oscar comes home: Golden lady returns with the golden statuette</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/348452/oscar-comes-home-golden-lady-returns-with-the-golden-statuette</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/348452/oscar-comes-home-golden-lady-returns-with-the-golden-statuette#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 11 Mar 12 05:14:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rafay.mahmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=348452</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy receives a rapturous homecoming.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistanis got their first glimpse of the most celebrated accolade in filmmaking on Saturday.


The much-awaited Oscar finally arrived in Pakistan along with its proud recipient Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

Her documentary, Saving Face, grabbed the trophy for ‘Best Short Documentary’ at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California last month.

A press conference was organised at a local hotel to welcome the Oscar winner.

Obaid-Chinoy walked into the premises with the statuette in her hand, and was swamped by photographers as she placed it in a glass box on stage.

“I hope that it is not the only time we bring an Oscar home” said a jubilant Obaid-Chinoy.

“When I walked the red carpet along with four other people, it was not just the five of us; I knew that the whole country was standing for us,” she said.  As the categories were being announced, Obaid-Chinoy said she was not very hopeful until Iran won an award as well.

“That was the moment when I got a little optimistic that we might win the award based on the quality of the film,” she recalled.

She also praised co-director Daniel Junge for his efforts, saying that she was thankful to him for letting her give a major part of the victory speech.

After receiving the award, she said she took what is called the ‘winner’s walk’, where award recipients enter a room full of journalists and photographers waiting to greet them.

“All I remember from the winner’s walk are flashes of lights and nothing else,” she said.

“A lot of well-known people from Hollywood lauded me for making it so real and Cameron Diaz was one of them,” she added. A clip from the documentary was screened at the reception where Marvi Memon, former member of the National Assembly, was shown hearing the plea of the acid burn victims.

Afterwards, she initiated a bill in the National Assembly in favour of the acid burn victims, which was unanimously accepted by the assembly.

“The part in which the bill is unanimously passed received a special applause wherever it was screened around the world,” said Obaid-Chinoy.

Elaborating over the subject matter of the documentary further, she said that “Pakistan can solve its problems and that was the thought behind the documentary.

“Acid throwing is a horrible crime, which can be ended if the people and government work together and implement the laws that were created,” Obaid-Chinoy stressed. She concluded by thanking the media, the people of Pakistan, her crew and family members for supporting her throughout.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Oscar comes home: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy reminisces her golden moments</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/348152/oscar-comes-home-sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-reminisces-her-golden-moments</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/348152/oscar-comes-home-sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-reminisces-her-golden-moments#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Mar 12 08:27:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ema Anis]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=348152</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistani filmmaker, winner of an Oscar award, narrates how she felt like a star.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Oscar that every Pakistani was immensely proud of finally reached Pakistan early morning on Saturday.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the Pakistani filmmaker who recently won an Oscar for her film Saving Face, shared her proud moments at a press conference in Karachi.

Reminiscing the golden moments of receiving the Oscar, Sharmeen said that she felt like a star at the ceremony and narrated how her heart stopped when the announcer fumbled a little after saying “and the winner is…”

“When I heard the name of Saving Face, at first I thought I was repeating the name myself. It was only when Daniel [co-director of Saving Face] got up to receive the award, then I felt that 'Yes, we have won'.

There is no other feeling I can describe, it was the most incredible feeling ever.”

Sharmeen was so awe-struck at bagging the world’s most precious award that she cannot remember what exactly happened after she got on the stage. “I recalled what I had said in my speech only after I watched it on TV.”

With the golden statue placed in front of the stage, Sharmeen excitedly told the audience how the statue serves as a pass for events that happen that night. “It is the greatest feeling in the world... You just show your Oscar and that will be your pass.”]]>
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			<title>Can an Oscar prevent acid attacks?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/345807/can-an-oscar-prevent-acid-attacks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/345807/can-an-oscar-prevent-acid-attacks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 05 Mar 12 17:47:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Syed Mohammad Ali .]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=345807</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wonder if Sharmeen's accomplishment will effectively help prevent this form of brutal violence against women.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy&rsquo;s Oscar for a documentary on the acid attacks is no doubt a big win for Pakistan&rsquo;s arts and entertainment industry. Even the prime minister has taken the opportunity of announcing an award for Sharmeen. One does, however, wonder if this personal accomplishment will effectively help prevent this form of brutal violence against women in our country.

Some years ago, I was commissioned to undertake a situation analysis of the acid attack phenomenon by the same NGO with which Sharmeen worked, with funding from a UN agency. While Sharmeen&rsquo;s documentary focuses on the personal story of victims and their medical rehabilitation, the scope of my study went beyond documenting the horror unleashed upon the victims of acid attacks: that is, to try to meet with communities where these incidents had taken place. Together with police and judicial authorities, I met with the communities in order to probe why these attacks were taking place and what could be done to prevent them and help those who had fallen prey to them.

Refused marriage proposals or sexual advances, problems with in-laws and property disputes were seen to be common reasons for such attacks. But one also noticed how many of these attacks caused collateral damage to many young children who happened to be in close physical proximity of their mothers at the time of the incident. I remember meeting the husband of one such woman who had recently tried committing suicide &mdash; by ingesting pesticide out of sheer despondency &mdash; due to the tragedy that had befallen his family.

Conversely, one also found that a major reason why many perpetrators of this act were not being brought to justice did not only have to do with weak legislation, faulty medico-legal reporting or falsification of police cases, but because families of victims themselves had reached out of court settlements to cash in on the tragedy which had befallen a woman of their household since the state had hardly stepped in to offer them any significant help. In fact, many of these poor and badly-disfigured women were still found to be struggling to access social safety nets, such as the Benazir Income Support Programme.

It was also shocking to see the widespread sale of hydrochloric or sulfuric acid not only in major cities, but also in small towns across rural areas. Within cities, highly-concentrated acid was being sold casually for household use such as cleaning toilets, whereas its sale in towns adjoining rural areas, was primarily for use in delinting cotton seeds prior to sowing them. Shopkeepers or even wholesalers seemed oblivious to any regulatory requirements concerning these sales, so anyone could walk in and buy half a litre or a few gallons of acid without any questions asked.

Acid attacks are not limited to Pakistan. Similar incidents are reported from across Southeast Asia, Africa and other neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, India and Afghanistan. However, thousands have now fallen victim to acid attacks in our own country and the problem largely remains unaddressed. Activists working on this issue estimate that approximately 200 attacks continue taking place each year.

In 2011, legislation was introduced in the form of the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, which stipulates that attackers can be sentenced for 14 years to life imprisonment, in addition to a million rupees fine. Women&rsquo;s rights activists, however, are calling for greater regulation of the sale and distribution of acid which goes beyond punishing perpetrators in order to prevent attacks and help victims rebuild their lives. Such measures require better rehabilitation services, means to ensure expedient investigations and just trials, adequate funding for victims and an effective monitoring system of acid attacks.

It would be great to see all of the attention drawn towards Sharmeen&rsquo;s Oscar win translate into addressing the above mentioned on-ground gaps so as to curb this brutal phenomenon for good.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>How to win an Oscar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344036/how-to-win-an-oscar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344036/how-to-win-an-oscar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 12 17:08:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[nadir.hassan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=344036</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Produce anything on militancy and at the very worst, you will get a pat on the back.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[When I was a kid, I loved the proudly racist British TV show “Mind Your Language”, and not only because stereotype-based humour is so uproarious to a six-year-old. What truly made it an instant classic was that it featured a Pakistani, who always wore a Jinnah cap and mined canned laughter by mispronouncing English words. Back then, any mention of Pakistan anywhere in the West was a cause of celebration, no matter how humiliating the reference may be. The snake charmers and yogis of yesteryear have been replaced by computer nerds and gas station attendants, but that’s Hollywood for you: always reducing foreign-looking people to the most reductive character possible. The real problem comes when Pakistanis buy into the same game, actively striving to gain Western recognition or, for those who follow a more mercenary mantra, Western money.

It is not surprising, then, that Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is the first Pakistani film-maker to receive the kind of international attention an Oscar win guarantees. Her documentaries all perform the kabuki dance that brings forth international funding, distribution and publicity. From the repression of Afghan women to the radicalisation caused by the Taliban right up to Saving Face, which ties in well with Western efforts to highlight the oppression of women in Pakistan, Sharmeen’s documentaries fuel the narrative that has been set by the West for Pakistan. Unless you believe that the US government funds work only out of a pure love of culture, the fact that she has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding from the US (although not for Saving Face) only shows how useful they consider these kinds of documentaries.

But this is not meant to be a personal attack on Sharmeen. The topics she chooses to concentrate on are all worthy of attention and have not been dreamed up by the West to justify military aggression. It is the consequences of the power enjoyed by western money and approval that needs to be critiqued.

The western influence means that only certain types of injustices will receive the international attention that has been bestowed on Children of the Taliban and Saving Face. Produce anything on militancy and at the very worst, you will get a pat on the back. Try and produce a documentary on, say, the victims of drone attacks or labour abuses and make sure you stock up on battery-powered torches and imperishable food items as you wait in the dark for NGO cheques and gold statuettes.

The pernicious influence of the West on Pakistan extends far beyond cinema. Anyone who has worked at a local NGO, after Pakistan suddenly became relevant again, will tell you how the gold spigots were turned on — but only if funding proposals hit all the right notes. Keywords like ‘Taliban’, ‘deradicalisation’ and ‘women’s empowerment’ have a Pavlovian effect on the likes of USAID. Once again, this is not meant to imply that such causes aren’t worthy of funding; simply that they crowd out other issues that should be as much of a priority for Pakistan, even if they are of no use to Western donors.

We also seem to have decided that our image, as projected in the West, is one of the most pressing matters currently facing the country. That we are in the news for an Oscar win is a matter for rejoicing, partly because now we’ll get a momentary break from stories about the latest outbreak of violence. And such feel-good stories will also ensure further foreign funding, more bouts of self-congratulation and more awards. Thus the vicious cycle remains unbroken.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Power of a Pakistani woman</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343534/power-of-a-pakistani-woman</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343534/power-of-a-pakistani-woman#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 12 17:46:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sami.shah]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=343534</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sharmeen showed that despite all the efforts of men in this country to oppress women, she persevered, gave us hope.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won an Oscar. She held the golden figurine depicting a nude man and inspired all Pakistani women with a simple but powerful speech. If she could achieve so much, then so can they. If even one more achieves the same, then the debt of gratitude we owe her will be even more limitless (if limitlessness can be extended, oh you know what I mean). At the very least, someone has to do so before Maya Khan gets the Best Actress award she is so clearly rehearsing for.

But the symbolic power of a Pakistani woman, standing in front of the world and dwarfing a masculine depiction of greatness should not be understated at all. It is an achievement that is awe-inspiring. If you are a Pakistani woman, then know that despite all the efforts of all the men in this country to oppress you, one of your own kind persevered. She did it by showing the world that two Pakistani women who had their faces destroyed by two Pakistani men, also persevered and did not surrender to despair. So, thank you Sharmeen for giving us this gift. We hope we live up to the standard you are setting.

Of course, given that it is Pakistan and being thankless and cynical is our national pastime, many have also attempted to belittle her achievement. My advice is to slowly walk away from these people without making eye contact. Do not engage them in conversation. They have clearly suffered some kind of damage to the intelligence centres of their brain, possibly due to inhaling too much carbon monoxide and in-breeding. Just chalk it up to bitterness and an overblown sense of entitlement. These people think Sharmeen Obaid won the Oscar AT them.

If, for example, you were to able to make yourself heard over their shouts of ‘She made us look bad!’ and ‘What about a documentary of good things!’, what could you possibly say to change their minds? That by winning she made us look good? The stories of hope she portrayed are actually inspiring? That if they want a documentary of good things they can go make it themselves and Sharmeen is only beholden to her own decisions? The words would fall on their ears with all the effectiveness of Shoaib Akhtar ramming a car into a steel barricade.

To take joy in her achievement is something to cherish. It is a sign that we are not yet consumed by self-involvement and are still capable of empathy. One can be forgiven for thinking that is the case when you see the kind of complete disinterest in the recent Kohistan tragedy. As more Shia bodies pile up, the lack of shock and outrage is depressing. It is the same absence of disgust that has resulted in so many forgotten dead in Balochistan too. In the former case, the extremist killers act with impunity and abandon because they know that there just isn’t enough motivation in the authority forces to stop them. In the latter it is the authority that is responsible, so to expect any retribution would be ridiculous.

After all, we have yet to see any explanations from those same forces regarding the presence of Osama bin Laden, living as he did so comfortably in Abbottabad, close enough to the PMA to steal their wifi. Is it a coincidence that access to internet porn has been shut down only once Bin Laden, an avid porn consumer, is no longer with us? My feverishly conspiratorial brain thinks not. Although, if local residents get their way, the building of a girls school on top of the remains of his compound will be a fitting tombstone. It will once again show the kind of perseverance that makes Pakistani women such wonders.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2012.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy launches anti-acid campaign</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342928/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-launches-anti-acid-campaign</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342928/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-launches-anti-acid-campaign#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 12 08:59:18 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342928</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's mother says the campaign was launched formally after her daughter won the Oscar.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan's first Oscar winner launched a campaign on Tuesday, hoping that her documentary about survivors of acid attacks can help eliminate a crime that disfigures hundreds of women each year.

"Saving Face" by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won the short documentary category at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

The film follows survivors in their fight to bring their attackers to justice and focuses on the work of British Pakistani plastic surgeon Mohammad Jawad, who helped restore their faces and lives.

The team behind the documentary are using their website to launch a campaign designed to raise awareness about acid attacks, which can disfigure around 200 women a year in Pakistan, and to strengthen legislation against the violence.

"The film must be more than an expose of horrendous crimes, it must be a recipe for addressing the problem and a hope for the future," co-director Daniel Junge says on www.savingfacefilm.com.

Pakistan's parliament last year adopted tougher penalties for acid attacks, increasing the punishment to between 14 years and life, and a minimum fine of one million rupees.

Obaid-Chinoy's mother, Saba, told AFP that the campaign was launched formally after her daughter won the Oscar, which had "provided her with a unique opportunity and strength to strive for her goal more effectively".

"The campaign is mainly aimed at making our society more humane and better to live. It is to help and remedy those who are victims of such brutality and injustice," she told AFP.

"Saving Face is uniquely positioned to advance awareness, education and prevention efforts," the website says.

The chairwoman of Acid Survivors Pakistan, which is a partner in the campaign, told AFP that the fight to eliminate the crime had only just started and that the outreach programme was designed to generate "systemic change".]]>
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			<title>Our Oscar moment: Take a bow, Sharmeen</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342798/our-oscar-moment-take-a-bow-sharmeen</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342798/our-oscar-moment-take-a-bow-sharmeen#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 12 00:46:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[agencies]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342798</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wins first Academy Award for Pakistan for her short documentary on acid attack victims.]]>
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				<![CDATA[On a glittering night of cinema’s biggest stage, the unexpected climaxed in the unbelievable.


Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy became the first Pakistani to win an Academy Award, one of world’s most coveted accolades.

Obaid-Chinoy won the Oscar for Best Documentary (short) for Saving Face, a documentary on the victims of acid attacks in Pakistan – which she co-directed with American Daniel Junge.

On stage at the 84th Annual Academy Awards, an ecstatic but composed Obaid-Chinoy paid tribute to the women of Pakistan: “Women’s bravery and resilience in the face of adversity inspires me every single day,” she said. “They are the true heroes of Pakistan.

“Don’t give up on your dreams. This is for you.”

While her documentary won the hearts of the Academy Award jury, her success, it seems, has won the heart of the nation.

Soon after receiving the industry’s most coveted accolade, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani led the tributes to Chinoy, 33, saying that she would be given a “high civil award” for her achievement.

The congratulatory messages seemed unending.

President Asif Ali Zardari also felicitated Obaid-Chinoy by sending a message that her efforts for highlighting with utmost sensibility a sensitive topic of acid attacks on women and creativity were appreciated.

Amongst other political leaders who expressed their jubilation and appreciation of Chinoy’s work were Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek, Deputy Chairman Senate Mir Jan Muhammed Jamali and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain.

‘Saving Face’ chronicles the work of British-Pakistani plastic surgeon Mohammad Jawad, who performed reconstructive surgery on survivors of acid attacks in Pakistan.

The social media and electronic media also went viral, erupting with joy at news of the Oscar, showering praise for her win.

“The women who decided to be a part of the documentary did so because they wanted to make their voices heard and wanted to bring attention to this form of assault,” Obaid-Chinoy said, speaking before she won the Oscar.

“The main reason that they are in ‘Saving Face’ is to make their stories heard and have an impact.”

‘Saving Face’ is set to air on American cable television network HBO on March 8, while Obaid-Chinoy is also planning to screen the documentary at local schools, colleges and universities. “We’re going to try to find the best possible way to show the film while ensuring that the women in the film are safe,” she said.

“It is a story of hope with a powerful message for the Pakistani audience. I felt this would be a great way to show how Pakistanis can help other Pakistanis overcome their problems,” she said.

Obaid-Chinoy’s family lauds her achievement

Where film enthusiasts throughout the country celebrated Pakistan’s Oscar moment, the family of the victorious film-maker remained overwhelmed by the love Pakistanis have given her in return.

“It is an amazing achievement by Sharmeen, she has brought so much honour to the family and above all the whole country,” said Obaid-Chinoy’s mother Saba Obaid, while addressing  a press conference at the SOC (Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy) Films office on Monday afternoon.

“This recognition is the result of the effort put in by [her],” said Asad Faruqi, the director of photography of the documentary.

“The mere fact that she has won an Oscar reflects how honest she was to her struggle of highlighting the issue of acid victims in Pakistan,” he said.

The observational documentary which was shot over the period of one and a half years was shot entirely in Pakistan with a large chunk of local crew members.

(Read: You have done us proud, Sharmeen!)

(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING FROM RAFAY MAHMOOD FROM KARACHI)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Behind the scenes: SZABIST alumni captured images that made it all work</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342671/behind-the-scenes-szabist-alumni-captured-images-that-made-it-all-work</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342671/behind-the-scenes-szabist-alumni-captured-images-that-made-it-all-work#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 22:28:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342671</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The 26-year-old Faruqi said that he “never expected” the film to make it to the Oscars.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Asad Faruqi saw the Academy Awards ceremony for the first time in his life this Monday morning. But he can’t recall what happened after the film in which he worked as a cameraman, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s Saving Face, won an Oscar for the Best Documentary-Short Subject category.


The 26-year-old Faruqi said that he “never expected” the film to make it to the Oscars. Now that it has done exactly that, the graduate of the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (Szabist) hopes that this award will help convince families that are reluctant to send their children to film school that the profession is worth pursuing.

Faruqi was born and schooled in Hyderabad. He and his family relocated to Karachi after his father’s death, and continued his studies at The City School. He enrolled into the media sciences programme at Szabist, which provided him with the chance to learn more about this specific craft.

Incidentally, Faruqi was not destined for film school at the beginning. “I studied chartered accountancy for two years but realised that it is not what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a journalist and specifically do war photography. I then met Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. She saw my work and said that she needed someone to work on her documentary, Pakistan’s Taliban Generation.”

Faruqi ended up shooting what became one of the most important parts of the film. “The embassy didn’t allow the producer, who was a British national, to go to Swat as it was still under Taliban’s control. We had only four hours to decide what to do and ultimately I went in with Sharmeen and we got back out from there the same day. My work was appreciated by everyone and Sharmeen chose me as the main cameraman for her future films.”

It seemed pure luck that Faruqi was able to work at all in that documentary, which later won an International Emmy. He had broken his leg and was limping on the first day of the documentary’s shooting. He said that Saving Face was his second major project with Obaid-Chinoy. “I injured my back during this one. I guess it’s a sign, that I suffer an injury and then we win an award,” he joked.

Unlike many of his colleagues who gripe about not getting recognition for their work behind the scenes, Faruqi was quick to give credit where he thought it was due. “At the end of the day, this is Sharmeen’s story. It features the director’s vision. Above all, it is a documentary; we are not supposed to be the face of it. It is about the victims and we’re glad that it has gained such widespread attention.”

The making of Saving Face, which focuses on a plastic surgeon that performs reconstructive surgery on acid attack survivors, proved to be a trying experience for the crew, given that they had to hear harrowing tales of the survivors. “There are times when you become so engrossed with the whole thing,” said Faruqi. “I used to feel angry. Their (the survivors’) words would go through me, so there’s that lens through which the audience gets to hear them. But I channelled that anger into my work, so that my visuals could speak for themselves.”

Faruqi planned to celebrate with his family and friends on Monday night. “I’m not the most talented cameraman out there,” admitted Faruqi. “The job involves a lot of hard work and a bit of luck as well. But this award has motivated me to pursue more challenging projects.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>After Oscar, Gilani to award Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy high Civil Award</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342812/after-oscar-gilani-to-award-sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-high-civil-award</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342812/after-oscar-gilani-to-award-sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-high-civil-award#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 22:07:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342812</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Gilani says Chinoy's Oscar would help enhance the soft image of Pakistan.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Following her Oscar win, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has announced a high Civil Award for Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

The Prime Minister, in his congratulatory message, said that Chinoy had made all Pakistanis proud by producing the documentary "Saving Face", which is a perfect work of art representing creativity, objectivity and reality, with a touch of passion and devotion.

He said this outstanding success of Sharmeen Chinoy at the international level would surely lead to enhancing the soft image of Pakistan.

The singular success of Chinoy is the tangible manifestation of the talent the Pakistani youth is gifted with, the Prime Minister added.

Altaf Hussain announces gold medal for Chinoy

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has announced a gold medal for Sharmeen Chinoy.

He made this announcement while talking to the members of Rabita Committee of his party at its head quarters "Nine Zero" via telephone, said a statement issued by MQM on Monday.

He said the Oscar Award given to her for the documentary film would be a source of honour not only for Chinoy but also for the entire country.

Altaf Hussain instructed the party's Rabita Committee to hold a befitting reception for Ms Chinoy when she returns to Pakistan.]]>
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			<title>You have done us proud, Sharmeen!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342457/you-have-done-us-proud-sharmeen</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342457/you-have-done-us-proud-sharmeen#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 18:39:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342457</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[From now on she will be looked on as a pioneer that others will be seeking to emulate.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[When Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy became the first Pakistani to win an Oscar for her documentary Saving Face, she dedicated her award to all the women of Pakistan for their bravery. But this is a victory that can be enjoyed by the entire country. In the days and months ahead, she will undoubtedly be felicitated for her achievement and may even end up becoming the face of a more liberal and tolerant Pakistan. Hopefully, along with all the joy that accompanies this Oscar win, there will also be some soul-searching and reflection. Saving Face dealt compassionately with the plight of women who are acid victims and, among the kudos given to the film-maker, the strength and courage of these women should not be forgotten. For them to narrate their ordeals on camera with such unflinching honesty makes them, even more so than those who worked on the documentary, the true heroes of Saving Face.

There are those who will bemoan the fact that Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary will further reinforce the Western narrative of Pakistan as a backward country that violates human rights. Many may argue that the media only focuses on negative subjects and portrays the country in a stereotypically depressing fashion. However, it is not her duty as a film-maker to project a sanitised image of the country. When she made Saving Face, she was choosing to concentrate on a subject matter that was dear to her heart and it is not the job of a documentary film-maker to be a propagandist on behalf of her country. Though she was not associated with the local film industry, her win will be a boost for film-makers throughout Pakistan as it shows the talent that is present here. We now know it is possible to receive international attention for quality work. Apart from the honour Ms Obaid-Chinoy has received, she has also had a burden placed on her. Unlike politicians in our country who spend billions to improve Pakistan’s image in the international community, she has done so by her talent and hard work. From now on she will be looked on as a pioneer that others will be seeking to emulate. Everything that we have seen of her shows that this is a person who will handle that responsibility with grace and humility. Congratulations, Sharmeen! This nation is proud of you.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy: One of a kind</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342465/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-one-of-a-kind</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342465/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-one-of-a-kind#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 17:36:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[news.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342465</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy: Basking in cinematic glory since 2002.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[We highlight some of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s ventures that have been recognised on the global level for their razor sharp coverage of the plight brewing in the heart of Pakistan.


Terror’s Children

After returning from the US, Obaid-Chinoy noticed that poverty has forced millions of people to send their children to religious schools, which do not inculcate critical thinking and encourage their students to develop a disdain for Western life and ideals and this made her embark on a dangerous journey to track the roots of Talibanisation, reports imow.com. Obaid-Chinoy produced Terror’s Children with New York Times Television in 2002, and this cross-cultural project got her the Overseas Press Club Award, the American Women and Radio and Television Award and the South Asian Journalist Association Award.

Reinventing the Taliban

When Obaid-Chinoy returned to Karachi after graduating from university in the US, she saw the rise of a fundamentalist political party which exerted strict Islamic laws that were gradually eliminating freedom of expression. Reinventing the Taliban followed the documentarian in her travels throughout Pakistan as she exposes inequity and injustice, particularly in regard to women, according to jazba.org. In 2003, Reinventing the Taliban was awarded the Special Jury Award at the BANFF TV festival in Canada, the CINE Golden Eagle Award and the American Women in Radio and Television award.

Women of the Holy Kingdom

Women of the Holy Kingdom revolved around the silent oppression women residing in the rigid domain of Saudi Arabia face in their daily lives. In this film, Obaid-Chinoy is seen meeting with young women who embrace the Islamic traditions that so many in the West can’t understand and won’t tolerate. The documentary takes you on an eye-opening journey across the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia to show you places and faces of the Saudi monarchy and patriarchy, according to mazalien.com. In 2005, Women of the Holy Kingdom won the South Asian Journalist Association Award.

Pakistan: Children of the Taliban

Pakistan: Children of the Taliban explores Taliban recruitment strategies, their effect on youth and their methods to radicalise the country’s young and often dejected populace. The project, which revolved around the lives of children who were brainwashed by the Taliban, earned her an Emmy award in 2010, according to media.crlc.com.

Saving Face

Saving Face is a documentary that tells the stories of two acid-attack survivors: Zakia and Rukhsana, their attempts to bring their assailants to justice and the charitable work of London-based, Pakistani-born plastic surgeon Dr Mohammad Jawad, who strives to help these women put this horrific act behind them and continue living. In 2012, Obaid-Chinoy became the first Pakistani to be nominated and win an Oscar with this documentary.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan’s Oscar moment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342488/pakistan%e2%80%99s-oscar-moment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342488/pakistan%e2%80%99s-oscar-moment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 17:32:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rafay.mahmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342488</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Chinoy's win is proof that if our film-makers are well-equipped with the technique of film-making they can beat...]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[With Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s win, Pakistanis have had their own Slumdog millionaire moment. Of course, there’s a difference between Sharmeen and AR Rahman, whom many in India had expected to win (which he did in 2009).

In Pakistan it was different, in that many Pakistanis were either too caught up with their own day-to-day issues or those who were following the Oscars were not really expecting her to win.

In fact, in the run-up to the ceremony, I, as a reporter covering the arts and culture beat in Karachi for this newspaper, spoke to several people in the film industry on Shareem Obaid-Chinoy’s candidature. Most of them thought that she wouldn’t win, though several did say that it was good that Pakistan finally had a nominee at the Oscars.

Then on the day that she won, I had to speak to various people, as part of my job, to get their reactions. And here, too, I found that quite a few of them did not unequivocally congratulate Pakistan’s first-ever Oscar winner. Some even suggested conspiracy theories.

For instance, one response was that the documentary was co-produced and had another director as well. This person also said that it wasn’t really a feature film either, as if to downplay the award’s significance. Clearly, this is not the time for petty and/or professional jealousies to be coming out and such reactions are most unfortunate. The fact of the matter is that as a Pakistani director — and just a young woman in her thirties — she has already won the highest accolade possible in film-making.

As for the conspiracy theories, there is one, used by her apparent detractors, that she received funds for some of her work from the US State Department. Even if that was factually correct, so what! That doesn’t mean that the US government would make it a point to also try and influence the Oscars jury so that a Pakistani woman wins one of the awards.

That said, can Pakistani film-makers and the country’s film industry, otherwise known by all of us as Lollywood, learn any lessons from her? On the flip side, the industry does not do well, perhaps because it suffers from serious structural problems, and perhaps the win by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will hopefully help bring about some introspection among industry people and maybe assistance from outside parties such as the government.

Just winning the Oscar, no matter how great the achievement, doesn’t mean that things will change, or that problems of its struggling film industry will disappear. However, it does show the significance of Pakistani issues on the global scale and is proof that if our film-makers are well-equipped with the technique of film-making they can beat anyone.

This historic win should also be taken as an opportunity by schools across Pakistan to formally introduce visual arts programmes — especially film-making — in their curriculum. If this is done, and investment is made in it as a proper course of study, it could bring great benefits.

Sharmeen-Obaid Chinoy is an inspiration for people willing to pursue a career in film-making. Also, and equally importantly, the award may help change the mentality found usually in Pakistani parents who often discourage their children from pursuing a career in the arts.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Saving Face: Pakistan’s golden moment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342470/saving-face-pakistan%e2%80%99s-golden-moment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342470/saving-face-pakistan%e2%80%99s-golden-moment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 17:28:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[news.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342470</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s win makes the country proud.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[For Pakistan, 2012 could not have started on a sweeter note. If Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy scoring an Academy Award nomination for her documentary Saving Face in the category of Best Documentary (Short Subject) wasn’t good enough, then her getting to take home the Oscar this Sunday night at the 84th Academy Awards presentation, definitely was. With the entire nation rejoicing at her victory, it seemed she had won the Oscar for all of Pakistan. 

Obaid-Chinoy is the first Pakistani to receive an Oscar and hopes to screen her award-winning film at local schools, colleges, universities and communities to raise awareness about the victims of acid violence. Saving Face will air on HBO on March 8 in the US. According to a press release, Obaid-Chinoy has produced 16 critically acclaimed films, all of which have been aired internationally.


About Saving Face

Detailing the work of a British-Pakistani plastic surgeon, Dr Mohammad Jawad, Saving Face chronicles the doctor’s travels across Pakistan as he performs reconstructive surgery on survivors of acid violence. Being one of the cruellest forms of violence and abuse, acid attacks are underreported in Pakistan but still, at least 150 cases are filed every year.

Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary highlights the struggles and endurance demonstrated by these abused women despite their difficult circumstances. The film was shot entirely in Pakistan, mostly on the Seraiki belt, in addition to Rawalpindi, Karachi and Islamabad.

Encouraging words

Pakistani film-maker Adnan Malik commented on Obaid-Chinoy’s win, “I feel like I have woken up to a new chapter in Pakistan’s history. Sharmeen has diligently stuck to her dreams and she is a fantastic Pakistani ambassador. This Oscar is for the entire nation and it has broken the floodgates of what Pakistanis are capable of. Pakistani arts are now firmly entrenched on the world map.”

On the other hand, Hasan Zaidi, a journalist and film-maker enthusiastically said, “You can knock us down and watch us bleed but you can’t keep chains on Pakistanis. Way to go Sharmeen, you have made us proud and I am sure there are many more Oscars coming our way.”

Ammar Aziz, a rising film-maker, also shared his feelings on Obaid-Chinoy’s accomplishment. “This is a victory for the medium of documentaries. They have never been given much importance in our state. Now is the time to celebrate our growing tradition of documentary film-making and realism.”

Proud students

One of Obaid-Chinoy’s students Muzna Qamar quipped about the win, “This is a proud moment for the Media Science students of Szabist. She is a talented teacher and I am thrilled to say I worked on a public service message for her called ‘Acid Attack’. Congratulations to you Ma’am Sharmeen.”

Rida Salman, one of Obaid-Chinoy’s students also said, “Being taught by her was one of the best experiences in my four years at Szabist. Her dedication and professionalism reflected in everything she said and taught. One needs to learn the art of storytelling and bringing reality to screen in its rawest form from Sharmeen.”

Obaid-Chinoy’s response

Calling the achievement “her dream come true” and the feeling “indescribable”, Obaid-Chinoy encouraged other young Pakistani film-makers to continue their aspirations in this field. Dedicating the award to her film’s primary subjects Rukhsana and Zakia, she ended on a positive note, “Pakistan was in the news today for all the right reasons and I am thrilled that we are now recognised as artists and storytellers.”

Red carpet glory

Walking the red carpet with her husband Fahad Chinoy, Sharmeen wore custom Pakistani couturier Bunto Kazmi’s creation with jewellery exclusively designed by Kiran Aman of Kiran Fine Jewellery. She kept the Pakistani spirit alive by also putting on an ensemble by leading fashion designers Sana Safinaz with exclusive jewellery by Sherezad Rahimtoola for the Oscars after-party.

With additional reporting by Saba Khalid and Sher Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Twitter alert: Pakistan stands proud at Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s win</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342365/twitter-alert-pakistan-stands-proud-at-sharmeen-obaid-chinoy%e2%80%99s-win</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342365/twitter-alert-pakistan-stands-proud-at-sharmeen-obaid-chinoy%e2%80%99s-win#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 04:57:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Twitterati congratulates Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on winning an Oscar for Short Documentary.]]>
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				<![CDATA[While many remain glued to the announcements of best director, actor and picture at the 84th Annual Academy Awards, a single golden statue changed the headlines for Pakistan.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daniel Junge won the Oscar for their documentary Saving Face under the category ‘Best Documentary, Short Subject’.

Such was jubilation that Saving Face trended world wide. Some of that jubilation is featured below.

Sabahat MS‏

Saving Face is trending world wide on #1!!#savingface #SharmeenObaidChinoy #Pakistan#Oscars @sharmeenochinoy

Fariha‏

Congrats #SharmeenObaidChinoy and congratulations #Pakistan this is a great day for our nation!!!! We are so proud today! Alhamdolillah!

Hajra HafeezurRehman‏

To all the women in Pakistan who are working for change, don't give up your dreams, this is for you#SharmeenObaidChinoy #Oscars @Pakistan

M.BUTT

Such a proud moment...all teary...so so happy...pakistan is proud of her daughter sharmeen!!!!#SavingFace #Pakistan#SharmeenObaidChinoy

Mahjabeen Mankani

Oh my god oh my god! #SharmeenObaidChinoy #SavingFace#Oscars best moment ever!!

Sahar Shaikh

#sharmeenobaidchinoy now my moms new role model :)

Emaad Shamsi

Did anyone else start jumping up and down when #SavingFace won at the #oscars? So happy for #SharmeenObaidChinoy! #proudtobepakistani

Anthony Galli

Congratulations to #SharmeenObaidChinoy for the #Oscar win! May this bode well for #Pakistan as a whole.

Danish Khan

Once again congrats to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy! I hope the Oscar will increase awareness &amp; reform the social cause #SavingFacehighlights.

Anthony Permal

Important notice from Twitter: @sharmeenochinoy's twitter handle may collapse from being awesomely blessed by 180 million ppl in#Pakistan

FurSid

After being the first non-American to get a Living Stone award,@sharmeenochinoy wins a #Oscar for Saving Face #Pakistan#PakPositive

Azmat Khan ‏

To all the women in Pakistan working for your dreams, this is for you."@sharmeenochinoy accepting her Oscar.]]>
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			<title>Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary wins Oscar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342358/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy%e2%80%99s-documentary-wins-oscar-for-%e2%80%98best-documentary-short-subject%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342358/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy%e2%80%99s-documentary-wins-oscar-for-%e2%80%98best-documentary-short-subject%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 04:20:30 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Obaid-Chinoy dedica­tes award to all the women in Pakist­an, heroes workin­g in the countr­y.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistani journalist and documentarian Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s latest venture Saving Face has won an Oscar award under the category ‘Best Documentary, Short Subject’.

In her acceptance speech, Chinoy dedicated the award to “all the heroes working on the ground in Pakistan” including British Pakistani plastic surgeon Dr Mohammad Jawad, main subjects of the documentary and the women of Pakistan.

“All the women in Pakistan working for change, don't give up on your dreams, this is for you,” she said.

Dedicating the award to main subjects Rukhsana and Zakia, Obaid-Chinoy said that their “resilience and bravery in the face of such adversary is admirable”.

Co-director Daniel Junge said he had the idea for the film after hearing about Jawad, and asked Chinoy to work with him. He has been previously nominated for an both an Oscar and an Emmy.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has also announced a civilian award for Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

A proud Saba Obaid addressed the media later in the day, stating that the film will bring a positive change in the country and in policy making. The director’s mother also hoped that this will help bring an end to crimes against women in Pakistan.

“We did talk to her… she wanted to know how it was. We said we can’t believe it. Nobody in the family had slept all night,” said Saba Obaid. She said Sharmeen will speak at Asia Society in New York and then at a TED Talk in Los Angeles and will return home in 8 to 10 days.

Saba Obaid said that she had always encouraged her daughters to become what they want. “Sharmeen went into filmmaking… an unusual line. She went into this and got respect,” she said. The director’s mother also emphasised that it was important encourage girls to receive education and go forward.

Asad Farouqi, the cameraman for Saving Face, was all praise for Obaid-Chinoy as well. He said that it was a big achievement that learning and working in Pakistan she had managed to make it to the Oscar Awards.

“Our programming is focused on showing a positive image of Pakistan,” said Farouqi. He said the real purpose of the documentary was to create awareness and that it was commendable that this had brought Pakistanis together and had them reacting in a positive manner.

Saba Obaid later read a message from Sharmeen:
I am deeply humbled and blown away by the outpour... and the well wishes I have received. It is an indescribable feeling and a dream come true.

This is for all the budding filmmakers who think that their work will not be appreciated. If I can do it so can you.

Today Pakistan was in the news for all the right reasons and I am thrilled that we are now recognised as artists and storytellers.

Zakia, Rukhsana, this one is for you.
“To win ... and with such a subject - it's such an honour,” he said.

The documentary Saving Face chronicles the work of Dr Jawad, who performed reconstructive surgery on survivors of acid attacks in Pakistan.

The documentary, which is filmed across Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the small towns of Punjab, was released in the US in November. It is due to release in the UK in March 2012, following which it will be released in Pakistan.

“The women who decided to be a part of the documentary did so because they wanted to make their voices heard and wanted to bring attention to this form of assault,” Chinoy said in an interview conducted before she won the Oscar.

“The main reason that they are in Saving Face is to make their stories heard and have an impact.” Many victims are women attacked by their husbands, and others assaulted for turning down a proposal of marriage. One girl in the documentary describes how she was burned after rejecting the advances of her teacher. She was 13 at the time.

Another woman featured in the film is 25-year-old Rukhsana, whose husband threw acid on her and her sister-in-law doused her in gasoline before her mother-in-law lit a match and set her on fire.

Chinoy said she hopes the cases in her film will resonate for others in Pakistan.

“It is a story of hope with a powerful message for the Pakistani audience. I felt this would be a great way to show how Pakistanis can help other Pakistanis overcome their problems,” she said.

Chinoy's films have won international acclaim. Her 2010 documentary, Pakistan's Taliban Generation, won an International Emmy Award.

At the ceremony, Obaid-Chinoy chose to wear female designers, from her clothes and her jewellery.

“I am wearing Bunto Kazmi for the ceremony and will be wearing Sana Safinaz and Saniya Maskatiya for Oscar-related events. My jewellery will be done by Kiran Aman of Kiran Fine Jewellery and Sherezad Rahimtoola of Labels. I am really excited to showcase local Pakistani talent, and that too all women,” revealed Chinoy.

President Zardari felicitates Obaid-Chinoy

President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday felicitated filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on winning an Oscar award for Pakistan on her documentary Saving Face.

The president, in a message, appreciated Obaid-Chinoy for highlighting a sensitive topic of acid attacks on women with utmost sensibility and creativity.

He said the country’s artists had all the potential to thrive and prove their skills in the field of arts and culture.

The president lauded the filmmaker for bringing laurels to the country by excelling in film-making and sending a message to the world about Pakistan’s softer image.]]>
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			<title>Chinoy's Oscar moment: Dreams of gold</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341724/chinoys-oscar-moment-dreams-of-gold</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341724/chinoys-oscar-moment-dreams-of-gold#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Feb 12 21:04:02 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[hani.taha]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=341724</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Designers extend their artistic support to Pakistani Oscar nominee Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.]]>
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				<![CDATA[February 26 will see Pakistanis on the edge of their seats, wanting to see if Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will bring home the country’s first Oscar for her documentary Saving Face. As soon as the news that the film-maker was heading to the Oscars spread, one question that occupied everyone’s mind was, ‘What will she wear?’ or more importantly, ‘Who will she wear?’ Being a strong woman herself, it doesn’t come off as a surprise that Obaid-Chinoy chose to wear female designers, from her clothes and her jewellery: “I am wearing Bunto Kazmi for the ceremony and will be wearing Sana Safinaz and Saniya Maskatiya for Oscar-related events. My jewellery will be done by Kiran Aman of Kiran Fine Jewellery and Sherezad Rahimtoola of Labels. I am really excited to showcase local Pakistani talent, and that too all women,” revealed Chinoy. Interestingly, all designers, like the film-maker herself, are Karachi based.


While traditionalist courtier Kazmi and the urbane Sana Safinaz hardly came off as a surprise, Maskatiya who is just a year-old with her own fashion label, definitely came as a shocker. The Express Tribune gives you a detailed insight into the wardrobe of the lady who may bring an Oscar to Pakistan.

Bunto Kazmi

“I have designed an ivory coat with gold and silver as well as resham and azri work on it. We also used the Persian motif that I was working on and had saved for a special occasion — who knew that it would be the Oscars?” says designer Bunto Kazmi. “We have used a variety of work from vasli to French knots and motif of birds to create an elegant outfit,” adds Kazmi’s daughter-in-law Sehar, who was also involved in its creation.

Sania Maskatiya

“It’s a great honour for any designer to be given such an opportunity and I feel truly humbled. I designed two traditional outfits for Sharmeen, since she had especially asked me to,” beams Maskatiya.

The first outfit was designed for the Academy Award Nominee Luncheon. The dress is a hand-embroidered (hath ari) piece in which the tree of life serves as the focal theme. “The tree has multiple local birds such as the cuckoo bird, sparrow, parrots and owl and has other elements which include butterflies and bugs, while the front is decorated with a peafowl, locally known as surkhab. The base fabric used for the dress is an exclusive Maskatiya computer-embroidered creation,” explains Maskatiya.

The young designer adds that the, “The second outfit that I designed is fit to be worn at one of the Oscar-related events. An emerald green kameez and churidar pajama outfit embroidered in hath ari. The front of the dress depicts men going for hunting on horses using traditional archery tools. Within the narrative there are predators such as the tiger, king cobra and viper looking for prey. Other animals in the narrative are deer, rabbit and birds such as swans, geese and the woodpecker. At the back of the dress there are three boxes each depicting a different hunting scene. The inspiration was taken from ancient Mughal hunting scenes and flora and fauna of the same epoch. The technique of applique and hand embroidery was incorporated to create the imagery.”

Sana Safinaz

Sharmeen’s outfit was chosen after careful consideration of the fact that not only does she represent Pakistan, she is also the face of modern Pakistani woman. Therefore we had to maintain a balance of western and eastern fusion. Keeping these sensibilities in mind, we designed a soft, silver-grey, front-open kurta with delicate silver and gold work. We also designed three other outfits for Chinoy to wear to various nominations, lunches and parties. These too, were a fusion of eastern and western design philosophies,” said the designer.

Kiran Aman of Kiran Fine Jewellery

“Sharmeen will be wearing a pair of vintage gold earrings with diamonds and pearls that are from my ‘Time Scripts Man, Man Scripts Time’ collection. I have also designed a cuff band for her to adorn at the event. It is again in vintage gold, diamonds and pearls, with a unique clasp at the back that has the Pakistani flag attached to it with a gold rope. The flag is in white diamonds and green sapphires. I have named the piece ‘Amun’ which means peace,” states Aman.

Sherezad Rahimtoola

“Keeping in mind the historical importance of the event and Chinoy’s own profile, I have specially designed hand-crafted, long diamond earrings with rubies, a bracelet (cuff) of diamonds and rubies, a classic ruby and diamond ring and a pair of long diamond earrings in gold and enamel finish,” shares Rahimtoola. “The gem stones were selected to match Sharmeen’s ensembles,” she adds, while listing down the gems used for the documentarian’s exclusive jewellery.

When asked why the culturally sound film-maker chose these designers,
Obaid-Chinoy said, “I chose these designers for a variety of reasons. I was eager to showcase Pakistani fashion at the Oscar’s and thought that it would be ideal to wear women designers exclusively. I have also worn these designers before and have admired their work for a long time; it seemed like a perfect combination of my personal style and the message, I wish to give.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Obaid-Chinoy on the power of storytelling</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327193/obaid-chinoy-on-the-power-of-storytelling</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327193/obaid-chinoy-on-the-power-of-storytelling#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 12 19:52:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s first Oscar nominee speaks about the many liberties women have in Pakistan.]]>
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				<![CDATA[She stepped on stage seemingly nervous, but within seconds documentarian Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy had the complete attention of her audience.


Speaking for the first time since she was nominated for an Oscar, she shyly admitted that she had not yet grasped what had happened. “I couldn’t believe it when I found out,” she said.

At the International Women Leaders Summit on Wednesday, the journalist and film-maker said what people in Pakistan rarely say; that in some ways, it’s a blessing being a woman in Pakistan.  “There are so many liberties that we have on a day-to-day basis in Pakistan. These are luxuries for women in other countries.”

But Pakistan is a country of contradictions, she says. “There are some women who have complete empowerment and others have not been empowered at all.”

Speaking about her experiences in Arab countries, she said she had to get a certificate on morality when filming in Saudi Arabia. “I was the first journalist allowed to document the women’s rights movement in Saudi Arabia.” While filming for her documentary Women of the Holy Kingdom, Obaid-Chinoy spent four weeks in the country and said it was one exasperating process. “I was almost arrested once while filming for ‘attracting male attention’,” she said. “It’s times like these that you thank God that you are from Pakistan.”

After filming in Canada, Syria, Pakistan and East Timor, Obaid-Chinoy says, “Women around the world have the same issues.”

Obaid-Chinoy was nominated for an Oscar in the category for Best Documentary, Short Subject on Tuesday for her film Saving Face. In 2010, she received an Emmy award for her documentary Pakistan: Children of the Taliban.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2012.

Correction: An earlier version of the article stated that Obaid-Chinoy was Pakistan's first Oscar nominee. The error has been rectified.]]>
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			<title>Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary lands coveted Oscar nomination</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326455/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy%e2%80%99s-documentary-lands-coveted-oscar-nomination</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326455/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy%e2%80%99s-documentary-lands-coveted-oscar-nomination#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 12 05:00:41 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[news.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=326455</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary is the story of victims of acid violence.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistani journalist and documentarian Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s latest venture Saving Face has won an Oscar nomination under the category ‘Best Documentary, Short Subject’.


Saving Face is the story of two women from Southern Punjab who are victims of acid violence.


“It is a positive story about Pakistan on two accounts: firstly, it portrays how a Pakistani-British doctor comes to treat them and it also discusses, in great depth, the parliament’s decision to pass a bill on acid violence,” Obaid-Chinoy had said when her film was short-listed for nominations in October 2011. According to the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, the perpetrators of acid violence will be punished with imprisonment for life and Obaid-Chinoy has captured that aspect in her latest venture.

Obaid-Chinoy received the Emmy award for her documentary Pakistan: Children of the Taliban in 2010.

The documentary, which is filmed across Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the small towns of Punjab, released in the US in November. It is due to release in the UK in March 2012, following which it will be released in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Obaid-Chinoy, Malik join Young Leaders Summit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/292817/obaid-chinoy-malik-join-young-leaders-summit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/292817/obaid-chinoy-malik-join-young-leaders-summit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 11 15:24:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[express]]>
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				<![CDATA[The summit will be held in New Delhi from November 18 to 20, 2011.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Critically acclaimed and award winning investigative journalist/film-maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has been named one of the ‘150 next generation leaders’ from 30 countries in the Asia Pacific region to participate in the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit, according to a news release by Asia Society.  The summit will be held in New Delhi from November 18 to 20, 2011.


“I look forward to working with representatives from various countries in laying a strong foundation for regional collaboration and leadership for decades to come,” said Obaid-Chinoy, who started her film production company Sharmeen Obaid Films in 2006 where she continues to serve as director. Under her leadership, the company has produced over 14 critically acclaimed films, all of which have been aired across international channels to global audiences including networks such as CNN, CBC, Channel 4, PBS Frontline World, Al Jazeera and HBO. Over the span of her career, Obaid-Chinoy has received diverse international and national awards and accolades for her film-making and, most recently, her film Saving Face has most been shortlisted for an Oscar nomination by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts &amp; Sciences.

Apart from Obaid-Chinoy, Adnan Malik, director, video producer of “Coke Studio” and media personality, has also been chosen to participate in the summit. Additionally, former MNA Marvi Memon and columnist/teacher Rafay Alam have also been extended the invitation to attend the summit. The participants will join a network of people from various sectors, all under age 40, who will engage in discussions about ‘Worlds Apart Together: Shared Values for an Asia-Pacific Community’. The diversity of representation — from business, government, academia, media, civil society and the arts — brings a wide range of perspectives to the discussions, which will explore issues such as developing a sustainable energy policy for Asia; whether corruption is hampering the region’s development and if food security should take precedence over civil rights, amongst others.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Oscar nomination: Sharmeen keeps her fingers crossed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/274018/sharmeen-keeps-her-fingers-crossed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/274018/sharmeen-keeps-her-fingers-crossed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 11 15:23:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[sarah.khan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Obaid is hoping to make it to the Oscar nominations list for her documentary Saving Face.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistani journalist and documentarian Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s latest venture Saving Face has been shortlisted for Oscar nominations under the category ‘Best Documentary, Short Subject’.


Recipient of Emmy award for her documentary Pakistan: Children of the Taliban in 2010, Obaid is now hoping to make it to the Oscar nominations list which will be announced on January 24. The final awards will be announced on February 26, 2012.

Saving Face is a story of two women from Southern Punjab who are victims of acid violence. “It’s a positive story about Pakistan on two accounts: firstly, it portrays how a Pakistani-British doctor comes to treat them and it also discusses, in great depth, the parliament’s decision to pass a bill on acid violence,” explains Obaid-Chinoy.  According to the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, the perpetrators of acid violence will be punished with imprisonment for life, and Obaid-Chinoy has captured that aspect in her latest venture.

The documentary, which is filmed across Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the small towns of Punjab, is scheduled to be released in the US next month and then in the UK in March in 2012, following which it will be released in Pakistan. When asked why her documentaries are so hard to find here in Pakistan, Obaid-Chinoy states, “There is really no documentary market here in Pakistan. Documentaries are not produced on a large scale.”

However, bursting with excitement that her documentary is shortlisted for an Oscar, she adds, “You can come from anywhere but if you produce quality work, you will be noticed and appreciated.”

Obaid-Chinoy began her career with New York Times Television in 2002 where she produced Terror’s Children, a film about Afghan refugee children, which won her the Overseas Press Club Award, the American Women and Radio and Television Award and the South Asian Journalist Association Award. Since then, she has produced more than 12 films around the world. Obaid-Chinoy also became the first non-American to win the Livingston Award for International Reporting in 2004, according to www.imow.org.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2011.]]>
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