The quest for a second Oscar

More and more, it seems that the unattainable sky is becoming the limit for Pakistani artists, directors and producers. Over the last couple of years, the Pakistani film industry has witnessed a much-needed revival and has churned out some popular silver screen winners. Apart from the resurgence of popular cinema, the country has also seen some groundbreaking work being done when it comes to documentaries that cast the spotlight on the various forms of injustices that are part of Pakistani culture and society. After her bone-chilling, Academy-award winning 2012 documentary, Saving Face, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has again done the country proud by earning a second Oscar nomination for A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, seeking to spread awareness about all of the dishonour in Pakistan’s ‘honour’ killing practice. This is an excellent feat for the new age Pakistani film industry as well as for the country, bringing world attention to an evil practice.

While injustice should not require Oscar nominations in order for those in our corridors of power to give attention to societal evils, the impact of the documentary can already be gauged by the fact that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has vowed to end the practice of ‘honour’ killings.

However, in sharp contrast to these vows is the reality on the ground, as just a day after the documentary was nominated for Oscar glory, a 25-year-old woman and her three children were axed to death in Peshawar in a suspected ‘honour’ killing case.

If it takes silver screen productions to secure the prime minister’s attention towards this and other cowardly practices, documentaries highlighting the evils of society must continue to be made. As Ms Obaid-Chinoy has stated, the practice of ‘honour’ killing does not reflect the religion or culture of the majority in this country. Our lawmakers must heed her advice and pass laws criminalising ‘honour’ killings, and ensure that these laws are then strictly implemented. We wish Ms Obaid-Chinoy the very best of luck in her quest for a second Oscar award.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2016.

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