'Gumm' to be the first film to hit local cinemas in 2019

Helmed by Ammar Lasani and Kanza Zia, film is all set to hit screens on January 11

LAHORE: Upcoming feature film Gumm is all set to kick the year off, releasing on January 11, 2019, at cinemas all around the country. In this connection, the film's production team is elbows deep in running various promotional campaigns.

"The Distribution Club will be sending in an application to the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), Punjab Film Censor Board (PFCB) and Sindh Film Censor Board (SFCB) soon for a censor certificate," a senior member of the Distribution Club told The Express Tribune. "We think there will be should be no reason for them not to issue a clearance certificate as Gumm is a complete family film," he shared.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

According to the official, Gumm will be the first local film of the year to be released in cinemas nationwide. There will be around 90 cinemas showcasing this film. “Gumm is important for us as it is the first Pakistani film to be releasing this year," the member stated. "This will serve as a great opportunity for us in terms of the film's success and from a business point of view. Currently, Bollywood film Zero is being played but we believe it has run its course and now people are demanding another film to be shown. To our luck, the next one to be showcased is a local one."

Gumm's story features action, crime and thriller. The film has been produced by Shakeel Anjum and directed by Ammar Lasani and Kanza Zia, who have also written it. The cast features actors Shamoon Abbasi, Shameen Khan, Sami Khan and others. The film revolves around a wanted criminal and a desperate father who are connected to one another by way of some unfortunate events. According to the writers, besides the crime and thriller aspect, Gumm also offers elements of light comedy.

It is also pertinent to mention here that the film has already been presented at international film festivals and received over 15 nominations and 7 awards: three for Best Screenplay, two for Best Actor (Sami), one for Best Director and another for Best Editor.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Zia shared the reasons of its success and hopes to see a similar response in Pakistan. “Ammar and I have created various short films in the past as part of our project at university. However, Gumm is our first feature film and we are very lucky to have had such a great response at these international film festivals," she expressed. "It is a complete feature film and we did our best to produce a film of quality. Most of the positive feedback was on script and screenplay though."

Zia shared that majority of Gumm's shooting was done in Margalla, Islamabad and the surrounding areas. She also stated that the film's  production was done following international demands and standards, using modern technology. "We are very hopeful and eager to see this film succeed. The team truly believes that Gumm can compete with any Indian film and thus, we are expecting a warm response from Pakistani cinema-goers."

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Speaking of the finances, the film-maker shared that Gumm did not have a big budget. "The budget wasn't anything like that of a Bollywood film but it was good enough for us to prepare a complete film." She added that Gumm is a film for all ages.

Watch the trailer here:


Edited by Ramsha Vistro.

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