KARACHI: 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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Having watched this fantastic documentary several times I'd like to point out to those who have not seen it and still insist on commenting that this documentary is in actuality a promise of hope. Its a positive look at how the people of Pakistan, namely Dr. Jawad have taken it on themselves to help the women of his home country. Acid attacks are a serious crime and have destroyed the lives of many helpless, poor women in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to name a few countries. We wake every morning to look into the mirror and find our facial features intact, we take it for granted....imagine if that changed, imagine one morning you woke to see that the God given eyes, nose and mouth was marred and mutilated by an egotistical man who thinks he can control and destroy your life and future. Imagine what emotional and mental trauma that could bring on to any woman, young or old. Would you say that she, after telling her painful story, isn't emotionally vulnerable enough to then be convinced that the world is out to get her? Would you not think that she in her state of mind and poverty will get convinced that SOC owes her more than all that she has already done for her? This documentary has brought to light a very very serious issue in my country, and hats of to SOC who still continues to work for the betterment of her nation. We hope Ruksana finds her inner confidence to understand how this will change her life for the better..however, it will take her time. THANK YOU SOC!
Having watched this fantastic documentary several times I'd like to point out to those who have not seen it and still insist on commenting that this documentary is in actuality a promise of hope. Its a positive look at how the people of Pakistan, namely Dr. Jawad have taken it on themselves to help the women of his home country. Acid attacks are a serious crime and have destroyed the lives of many helpless, poor women in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to name a few countries. We wake every morning to look into the mirror and find our facial features intact, we take it for granted....imagine if that changed, imagine one morning you woke to see that the God given eyes, nose and mouth was marred and mutilated by an egotistical man who thinks he can control and destroy your life and future. Imagine what emotional and mental trauma that could bring on to any woman, young or old. Would you say that she, after telling her painful story, isn't emotionally vulnerable enough to then be convinced that the world is out to get her? Would you not think that she in her state of mind and poverty will get convinced that SOC owes her more than all that she has already done for her? This documentary has brought to light a very very serious issue in my country, and hats of to SOC who still continues to work for the betterment of her nation. We hope Ruksana finds her inner confidence to understand how this will change her life for the better..however, it will take her time.
The initiator of this controversy is the husband Rukhsana (again)! He wants money and not a house on her name.
what a disgraceful nation we are - never appreciating the good people do, always creating issues and problems- i remember i was working at SOC during the time of the film, and none of these allegations make sense! its such a shame that people always are determined to bring down others who work hard- if we keep finding issues in the good work people do (whatever little good is left in our part of the world) - we will just be harming Pakistan in the long run. Sharmeen, keep up the work you do! Pakistan needs you! The film which i happened to watch also brings to light many positive aspects, wish we'd focus on those rather than always be cribbing and bringing people down! really sad. There is NO CONSPIRACY with Dr. Jawad volunteering, he makes frequent visits to give back to his country but obviously being the ungrateful nation we are, how can we not pick faults in his actions too?
@Javaria Always look at the negative! Good job! Has it ever occurred to you that by making the doctor Pakistani-born AND educated but working in Britain could actually benefit us? The man repeatedly says in the documentary how it is his duty to go BACK to the country that gave him so much to help HIS OWN people. This documentary shows how Pakistanis help each other, but the above comments show that no matter how anyone tries to help this country it's people will always ensure that no one succeeds. I hope you're proud of yourselves.
@Javaria- To my knowledge the British based doctor volunteered to help her. I dont think there should be any drama about who is going to take the credit.
Chinoy perhaps was interested only in her Oscar. Otherwise what benefit the people of Pakistan have got out of her venture. Hundreds of people in India and Bangladesh go through this trauma every day but due to the kindness of Chinoy Pakistan has been singled out for this heinous crime. Why couldn't she make documentary on the achievements of our women which could have brought some good name to our country.
@Javaria: you are absolutely right. Plastic surgeon might be some relative of her. She got everything from her PR.
More amazing is the fact that Obaid Chinoy found a Britain based plastic surgeon. How can a person in UK can manage multiple stages of reconstruction over a period of years of these acid burn victims? This also implies that women are burnt in Pakistan but people there are so callous that they need surgeons from abroad to treat them! As a matter of fact many centers in Pakistan are helping all these victims. One of these is a very large burn and plastic surgery unit attached with King Edward Medical University with a very large Consultant level staff. However these people are working in a government institution without any reward or publicity. One can also always find these victims in these units being treated without violating their privacy. There are many other such plastic surgery units in Punjab, Sindh and in Peshawer.
Oscar Fiasco is over now !! SOC is a fraud !!!