Amidst terrorism

Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism for quite sometime now. However, very few directors have chosen terrorism as a theme of their films.

Taking a bold decision of making a movie on the sensitive issue of ongoing terrorism at a time when Pakistani cinema is not getting positive response, Shehzad Rafique’s talented pupil and assistant Aamir Zafar has kick-started his debut as a director.

In the making of his first movie, Aamir Zafar has the support of Shehzad Rafique, one of the most respected and acknowledged filmmakers of the country. Talking to The Express Tribune, Aamir Zafar said that the early response of his film has been very positive. “Victim is an issue-based movie and this is a different kind of film. It is not a three-hour film but a 90 minute movie. We are working on it and our Italian director of photography is expected to reach Pakistan in the second week of July. Chris, the DOP, is a respected name in  the Italian film industry,” he told.

The lead roles in the movie are played by Humayun Saeed and Meera. Zafar said that the entire film will be shot in the northern areas of Pakistan. The script of Victim is written by Tariq Ismail Sagar, a well known Urdu novelist and story writer.

Speaking about the release of the movie, Amari Zafar said, “We plan to screen the movie first in the Milan Film Festival which is in November. So we will try to complete the movie before November. Once it is premiered at the festival, it will be released for screening in Pakistan”.

Zafar said the movie is being shot on 35mm camera, promising good picture quality. He said, “We are trying hard on the picture quality and we hope its result will be comparable with any international movie”.

The Lahore-based debutante filmmaker, Aamir Zafar holds an MBA degree. Talking about his choice of career, Zafar has been interested in filmmaking since childhood. “I come from an army background. My father always asked me to complete my education first and then do whatever I like. So first I completed my education and then stepped into filmmaking. I have been assisting Shehzad Rafique Saheb on different projects and still have his guidance and backing in this debut project of mine,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune,June 24^th, 2010.