Assad Zulfiqar’s short film bagged an award at the International Film Festival in Jaipur. DESIGN: ANUSHAY FURQAN
LAHORE:
Assad Zulfiqar Khan’s short film, Haal, earned the title of Best Upcoming Star Film at the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) in India earlier this week.
The London-based film-maker, who has directed and co-written the film, portrayed how former president General (retd) Muhammad Ziaul Haq’s ruling era affected the country and how the Islamisation he imposed continues to trickle down in society today.
“Haal was my graduation project at the London Film School,” says Khan, who was humbled by the success of his film. “I was greatly influenced by the political struggle against Zia in the ‘80s so I felt it was important to catalog that on screen; for me, this film was a form of catharsis.”
Haal shows the story from the standpoint of a kathak dancer — played by classical dancer Nighat Chaudhry — and a journalist; it explores how Zia’s rule affected liberal arts and media.
“I filmed it in Lahore right after the assassination of Shaheed Salmaan Taseer and that added meaning to the production as his murder was a shocking reminder of how Zia’s Pakistan is still alive and flourishing,” he adds regretfully.
He feels the reality of militancy depicted in the film, which is prevalent in Pakistan today, and the politics that have been revealed simultaneously, is what allows the audience to relate. “I think that is what resonated most with the viewers — these issues are parallel with our situation today,” says Khan, adding that militancy is a sad reality of our lives. “The catalyst for this virulent Islamism, if I may use that term, was Zia and his era. And since the film speaks about this, I feel that works for the audience.”
The 22-minute short film, which released in 2012, has been played in numerous film festivals internationally before making its way to JIFF. It was screened at The Second Floor café (T2F) in Karachi in July last year.
Indie films in Pakistan
Speaking about film-making in Pakistan, Khan emphasises that film-makers shouldn’t limit their abilities and should always try to improve. “Film-makers shouldn’t limit themselves to a Pakistani audience. It’s important to remember that the whole world is an audience,” he says. “Pakistani directors can find a way to speak to them also and shouldn’t just assume that audiences in Pakistan are the end of the market.”
In an attempt to support independent film-makers, Khan has started his own production company, Mono No Aware Productions, with film-maker Junaid Malik. “I want to remind film-makers that films that do well internationally are those that are honest,” Khan continues. “As a film-maker, you should make films which mean a lot to you — they tend to work a lot more than other film-making formulas.” He feels the success of Haal would prove to be a launching pad for indie film-makers in the future.
Working on feature films is part of Khan’s future agenda and, currently, he is working on one as an associate producer, which is being filmed in Britain. “I am also writing a couple of scripts and, hopefully, if I am done soon, I will start filming my own feature film by the end of the year,” he says.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2013.
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@SK5: to Z. Khan "I want our young and upcoming film makers to be more positive and therefore unique ..." I am not a Pakistani. May be a better comment would have been in the form of encouragement that he picked up this subject and did a magnificent job of it and that he ought to consider other themes in the same line (suggest a few). After all, he has made a film on how life of ordinary Pakistanis was affected by Zia's malevolent rule. Isn't that about the common man? Encourage as far as possible instead of cribbing and complaining and dousing the spirit of a budding talent!
@SK5: Dear I am neither some sort of outsider nor outcast. Born here and proud to be part of that segment groomed in so called "TAT Schools", later studying in universities and serving in Khaki also. Experienced working closely with top notches like B.Bhutto, Zia and Musharraf. Know what hunger is and also enjoyed sleeping in 5 stars. Believe me it is not that country which was few decades ago. Every day it is deteriorating and approaching with sprinter speed to its doom day. Hopes can still be alive if actual problems are identified and solution found. I do not see any visionary leader in current scenario as such see no light at the end of the tunnel. Do not know which role model you are talking and in which world you live. May be you belong to that category which lives in the world evolved of self dreams and wishful thinking as history of the region is full of such personalities.
@Z.Khan:
You make me sound like some sort of outsider or outcast who dosen't know the country he spent his entire life in. Mr.Khan with all due respect I know what the real Pakistan is but filmmakers like A.Z. Khan only tell half the story and never the other. Yes we have our fair share of problems but then again who dosen't, we also have positive examples of excellant Pakistani's who in these tough times can be made a role model of through film. I want our young and upcoming film makers to be more positive and therefore unique because everybody these days seems to enjoy riding the "Pakistan Bash" train. I have a life outside the laboratory to!!
@SK5: "can’t you guys make a movie about real life Pakistani’s?. Hope you feel and recognize the realities. Just visit streets of Pakistan, come abroad and see how Pakistan is rated in whole world. Mr Khan film has shown the real Pakistan. There is different life outsie the sceince laboratories. Some times see it also.
Why do our film makers make movies only about terrorism, zia etc, can't you guys make a movie about real life Pakistani's?. Aren't you guys taught to think outside the box, or is that only for us scientists?.
Zia was Pakistan's most brutal dictator. During his time the most cruel martial law regulations were imposed. The media was throttled and people including journalists were lashed in public.
Good work Asad and thanks for making us proud. I believe that Zia's pakistan will end soon and a secular and prosperous Pakistan will arise.
Just more propaganda..
Yes, Zia's Pakistan is thriving & prospering!
I hope movie will do well. As film industry of pakistan can improve when directors get freedom to show the reality. U cant take best frm any artist if they are bound. no doubt pak artist are very talent.they hav dirctor like shoib mansoor who has given two bold and best movise as BOL and KHUDA K LIYE