Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. PHOTO: BINA KHAN
Sharmeen’s session highlighted the issues we face as a country but also highlighted those individuals who are bringing change and are fighting for these causes to make others’ lives easier and this country a better place to live in.
The Jasmine Hall was packed with children and adults alike, everyone who was curious to see her work and those people who were genuinely interested in what Sharmeen had been working on. So much so, that there was no place to sit and those people who even showed up on time stood patiently throughout the session.
The session moderated by Bina Shah, showcased two of Sharmeen’s films, Ho Yaqeen: Syeda Fatima and Humaira: The Dreamcatcher.
Humaira: The Dreamcatcher kick-started the session. The film is about Humaira, an aspiring female who in her village hopes to construct a school for children whose parents aren’t educated and they are the first generation in their families to get educated.
After the film ended, Sharmeen told the audience that the school had almost completed construction, a statement that was welcomed with a lot of applause.
“I see the potential that women have. They are affecting change in so many spheres and I want to highlight that. I chose to take a different route in filmmaking that focuses these issues and these women,” Sharmeen said.
Sharmeen mentioned earlier when the session started that she had invited a ‘special guest’. The special guest was Khalida Brohi, a girl from Balochistan who was fighting against honour killings in her village. Sharmeen made a documentary on the problems she faces as she seeks out to fight against this issue.
The trailer for Seeds of Change, the documentary about Khalida was well received by the audience that lead to a standing ovation for Khalida. Sharmeen later mentioned that Khalida had traveled to New York with her and met Bill Clinton and Bono from U2.
Khalida laughed and told the audience: “Bono held my hand for an hour (and I didn’t know who he was) so I asked him, ‘What do you do’ and he said ‘I run a charity’. I googled him when I got home from the charity event.”
Later, Ho Yaqeen: Syeda Fatima was screened, a film about a woman struggling to eradicate bonded labour in her village in Punjab. The film was an eye-opener for many and left almost half the audience teary-eyed after the screening ended.
Sharmeen spoke about how change in our country is a constant struggle and she stressed on how people should talk rather than live in silence. She believes that talking about these issues does not humiliate a country, but rather identifying these issues and talking about them and struggling to eradicate them makes a country better.
“Our country does not have an image, so how can it be ruined?” Sharmeen said firmly.
“I find inspiration in the strength of women and their struggle. I believe that women are Pakistan’s most powerful asset.”
The session was heart warming and it ended with immense applause. Sharmeen made her mark at the KLF by sharing her work with the audience and also inspiring many by showcasing the struggles and bravery of individuals such as Khalida, Humaira and Syeda Fatima.
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I was there, it was absolutely brilliant! The women she is profiling deserve a standing ovation. Sharmeen bravo, keep Pakistan's flag flying high! You deserve all the accolades you have been given. There was not a single dry eye last evening. We often forget the power of good cinema, thank you for reminding us of that again...