DESIGN: AMNA IQBAL/FILE
The school, which was shut down on April 24, reopened within four days amid mounting pressure from the students, faculty members, advisors and supporters. While talking to The Express Tribune, Tooba Munif - the daughter of one of directors, Afzal Munif -claimed that “The school was simply restructuring, other schools would not have even bothered giving explanations to the media.”
Meanwhile, the academy’s Facebook page, which had more than 11,000 fans, has reportedly been deleted and its PTCL numbers have become unavailable. These factors, when added up to the resignation of some faculty members and no official word on a summer semester, have left the students contemplating their future with and without the academy.
Struggling stars
For most students at the academy, following the path of film studies was not a smooth journey.
“It took me two years to convince my parents to send me to film school. It isn’t very common in Pakistan and people are still battling norms to pursue this form of education,” said Tayaba Mastoi, a final-year student at the academy.
Farrukh Shahzad, 19, was the first person in his family to pursue film studies. “My family is very religious so it wasn’t easy to tread upon a territory which is often considered taboo,” said Shahzad, who was in his first semester at the film school. “It wasn’t just the idea of studying filmmaking which everyone was opposed to, they were also concerned about the violence in Karachi.” His persistence and passion, however, earned him a ticket to Karachi from Dera Ghazi Khan.
For the love of cinematography, 28-year-old Sumera Iqbal left her MBA to pursue her dreams and declined an offer to join the family business. “Now my family is laughing at me. It’s their moment to say ‘I told you so’,” said the concerned student.
Action!
“Just because we are quiet doesn’t mean we’re weak or unaware of our rights. We’re just giving them time to make our education their priority,” said Shahzad.
Bill Gilcher, a faculty member based in the US, resumed his classes via Skype and encouraged students to attend class but “in protest” of the academy’s Facebook page, confirming that his priorities were primarily with the students. After a week of holding classes on the web, however, Gilcher allegedly resigned over his dissatisfaction over the governance of the issue. Professor Chris Swider, an advisor from Columbia College Chicago, also reportedly turned in his resignation “with immediate effect” over SAAMPT’S abrupt closure and post closure dispute.
“We will continue to protest using social media, boycott classes, and possibly protest at the press club. But we may resort to legal action if need be,” Rafiq told The Express Tribune.
While some have chosen to boycott SAAMPT completely in order to have their demands met, others have resumed classes till the completion of the semester.
Students such as Sumera Iqbal do not want administrative politics getting in the way of their education. “I support the cause of my fellow students and sir Daniyal, however, I cannot afford to put my studies on hold.”
The dean’s comeback
As the drama unfolded at the South Asian Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Television, two sides seem to have formed - four board of directors of SAAMPT on one side and the former dean, who was fired recently, Daniyal Ali Khan, on the other.
Khan claimed that he was fired illegally without due notice or a written explanation. He, however, has the support of the students at the institute.
“There is no substitute for our dean all over Pakistan. He has worked tirelessly at the academy from the very first day. Why did they let him go without cause?” asked a student.
“I left my previous school to come and learn from Sir Daniyal. When asked about my school, I would just tell people I was his student,” said Osman Rafiq, a cinematography student. The students have demanded the administration to bring the ex-dean back as a member of the faculty. On the other hand, Daniyal Khan has filed a case in court against Tooba Munif and the other members of the board of directors - Mohammad Afzal Munif, Farrukh Afzal Munif, Chaudhry Azmat Khan and Azra Maqsood. He has asked that he be reinstated as the dean of the academy and be given access to all the documents and information. He also appealed against the interference of those individuals who have no legal decision-making powers.
Film community lends its support
While the students weigh their options and calculate the risks, members of the Pakistani film community have extended their support to assist them any way they can.
“Daniyal is very passionate about filmmaking. He told me about his dream to open a film school when I met him ten years ago,” said director and actress, Angeline Malik, while talking to The Express Tribune. It’s very sad to see how things are turning out - the institution made a commitment to its students.”
Extending her support, Malik has offered her premises to the students of SAAMPT. “I think the students should do what they think is right. I can’t tell them what to do, but I believe in Daniyal. He has what it takes to do justice to their dreams,” added Malik.
Javed Jabbar, a prominent Pakistani writer and member of the industry, attempted to ease the situation by mediating between the school administration and Daniyal Ali Khan but no agreement could be made. “Ideally, the board’s first and foremost consideration should have been resolving the issue. It’s unfortunate because a forum which invites public attention and young people to the cinema is virtually non-existent.”
For its part, the school has also been trying to support the students -Tooba Munif has reportedly been coordinating classes for students through emails and offering counseling to the visibly disoriented student body.
The former dean, Daniyal Ali Khan, made it clear that he was also looking out for the young film enthusiasts. “Nothing will happen to them under my watch - the students will have their right to education.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2013.
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SAAMPT looks like a great effort, wish the internal issues would resolve soon so the young film enthusiasts would be able to concentrate on their art, Good Luck
Do we really need film making education?