Embodying the spirit of collaboration in cinema

An Islamabadi film that highlights important social issues in villages.

ISLAMABAD:

The ties of friendship and love that binds together a young village girl who was denied her childhood and a mentally ill homeless man formulate the core plot of Mud House and the Golden Doll, a short film directed by Hamza Ali Abbasi.

Tajwar Raza, a young and talented actress from Islamabad, plays Sonya who extends a hand of sympathy and understanding to Pasha, played by director Abbasi, as a kindred spirit who has, like her, been denied a childhood.

Pasha is based on a street wandered in Multan who suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after being sexually assaulted by his uncle, which in turn lead to a mental breakdown preventing him from becoming a functional member of society. The film explores the brutal social realities of heinous acts of human cruelty and as a result, the mentally ill are shunned as opposed to being rehabilitated. Sonya displays a similar loss of innocence when her family coerces her into household chores rather than playing and learning which ought to be the right of every child.

Ironically, it is her family and community that are scandalised when they learn of the relationship between the two, assuming it must be inappropriate and find themselves defending her innocence. Abbasi points out that his intention “is not to demonize society or the community’s characters, but to portray the tragedy that such is life and the nature of poverty.”

Ottoman Ali Khan, the actor portraying Sonya’s father Mazhar, has this to say about his character, “Mazhar fails to see his child’s innocence and instead of giving her the childhood [she deserves], has simply brought her up in preparation of marriage. However, he doesn’t [really] have the resources to think or do otherwise.”

Shot in the outskirts of Islamabad in locations such as Bhara Kahu, Miratha and Barohha, Abbasi notes he was opposed to filming in the federal capital itself, a decision welcomed rather than opposed by the cast and crew. Part of this may have something to do with how accepting the community members were of the crew, a fact Abbasi attributes to the poverty-stricken nature of the areas.

Having a film depicting their concerns is a source of pride for them. “If we needed any props, people were so willing and helpful to give things from their own houses so they invariably became a part of the crew,” he recalls fondly.

Indeed, the film’s production embodies the spirit of collaboration. Since Islamabad’s entertainment industry is still in its infancy, the director, crew and most of the cast had to take assistance from fellow Islamabadis and other city dwellers for the film to reach fruition.

Mudhouse and the Golden Doll will be sent to international film festivals and will premiere at select screenings, once post-production is complete, which should be soon now, according to the director.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2011.