Not taking no for an answer
There is little in the world that can faze the indomitable Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
DESIGN BY MARYAM RASHID
There is little in the world that can faze the indomitable Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, except being unable to deliver a full story. And of course, she won’t rest until she has done just that. The journalist, documentarian and Pakistan’s first ever Academy Award-winner proves that curiosity doesn’t always have to kill the cat.
Admittedly, it isn’t easy interviewing Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. What do I, a newbie journalist, say to impress another so accomplished that even Angelina Jolie can’t help but gush about her? To my left stands a bureau displaying the collection of awards Sharmeen has bagged, the Emmys shining brightly on the top shelf. “If you’re looking for the Oscar, it isn’t here,” she says, laughing. “That particular one I keep at home.”
There is still plenty more in her office that can throw one off guard. The cream walls are adorned with snippets of Sharmeen’s interactions with Hilary Clinton and the likes. The desk is strewn with memorabilia from across the world, including a used gunshot shell Sharmeen picked up from Afghanistan. “Look at this Hezbollah flag I brought back from Syria,” she says excitedly, pointing to a large frame in the corner of the room. “Not many people know but I like collecting souveniors from places I visit to remember their people and what I did there. Adding to this collection is the best feeling.”
There is something oddly human about this confession that puts me at ease. Contrary to what I had imagined, Sharmeen isn’t an outsize, rambunctious force of nature that will rudely shrug off my questions as silly. Instead, the 36-year-old seems younger and happy, with an inner glow about her. She begins speaking about her life, work and countless achievements with a gently modulated voice, in an easy, conversational manner. She is somewhat opaque; calculated but simultaneously casual. Little do I know that there is a whole lot of fervour bubbling beneath the exterior. “I have always been an extremely angry and curious person,” shares Sharmeen when I ask her what she loves about journalism. “All the disparity and injustice I saw while growing up perturbed me and I wanted to know the reasons behind it. When I became old enough to think for myself, I knew I had to do something about it, even if it was just to satisfy my own curiosity.”
At just 17, the precocious Sharmeen began drafting reports and essays for local newspapers, covering social issues that would often land her in hot water. “One time, I attended a private party undercover to speak with teenagers who were being kidnapped, tortured and harassed by the sons of wealthy landowners,” confesses Sharmeen. And although this had ramifications, Sharmeen never backed down. “You see, I never take no for an answer,” she tells me with a notorious twinkle in her eyes.
With this mantra, Sharmeen’s curiosity took her on a journey worthy of a documentary itself. Upon completing her undergraduate and postgraduate studies from the prestigious Smith College and Stanford University respectively, she began writing for various North American publications which provided her first official experience in journalism. In fact, her penchant for documenting real life in the troubled Muslim world only began following a brief stint with Afghan refugee children living in Pakistan during the war. Their heart-wrenching experiences compelled the young Sharmeen to record life in a refugee camp, in collaboration with Smith College and The New York Times television house she had taken up employment with. And so, Terror’s Children (2002) — Sharmeen’s first filmmaking venture — was born, propelling her to an Overseas Press Club Award, the American Women and Radio and Television Award and a South Asian Journalist Association Award.
Ever since then, the Obaid Chinoy career arc has upended expectations. A journalistic powerhouse, Sharmeen has lent her talents to more than 12 international feature films since 2002 and woven a career web spanning social issues from America to Africa to East Timor. Her journalistic prowess has been vouched for by The Guardian’s Sam Wollaston, who once said, “I don’t know what Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy wanted to be when she was a 10-year-old girl growing up in Karachi. But she ended up as a journalist and bloody good she is at it too!”
Fortunately for Pakistan though, Sharmeen’s true calling always lay back in her homeland. “If people like myself abandon Pakistan, who will be left here?” she asks, throwing her hands up in frustration. “I feel that the local television media has a long way to go in terms of responsible journalism and I want to change that. There is also a general apathy amongst the people for social issues of importance. I consider it my personal responsibility to highlight these issues and those suffering from them.”
Closer to home, Pakistan: Children of the Taliban (2009) and Saving Face (2012) remain the most popular works from Sharmeen’s impressive roster of documentaries, seeing as how they raked in Pakistan’s first ever Emmy and Academy Awards. “It feels great to have your hard work rewarded, especially considering the challenges we face in doing what we do. But trophies bear little significance compared to assisting the needy and marginalised,” says Sharmeen of her numerous accolades, which include a Hilal-e-Imtiaz from the government of Pakistan. I wonder how Sharmeen manages to rest at night after days spent studying horrific realities of life to which she replies, “My work can indeed become very taxing, emotionally and physically.” Reality is, however, not enough to deter the staunchly ambitious from achieving their goals. “There is much hope and inspiration to be derived from the plight of my subjects,” adds Sharmeen. “At times, during the filming of Saving Face, if I ever felt overwhelmed, I would remind myself that if Zakia and Rukhsana (the two main protagonists) haven’t given up, how can I?”
Sometime around now, I finally get another chance to tear away from my notepad long enough and scan Sharmeen’s office once again. While she hurriedly chats with whoever has rung her, I notice that the screen of her laptop is flashing bright, lighting up her visage. To my amazement, I realise that she has been typing away on her laptop all the while, whilst talking to me! I had been made aware of her excessively busy schedule prior to our meeting when she mentioned her next appointment was within the hour. “I am a complete workaholic, from morning to night,” she had said when I thanked her for meeting with me. “The only time I recall ever not working is when I have literally been in the hospital, delivering my babies.”
It is truly a wonder how Sharmeen manages living such a hectic lifestyle and still, somehow, making time for her family. Perhaps it is her sheer passion for storytelling and dream of a better Pakistan that keeps her going, who knows? What is evident is that she has absolutely no intention of slowing down. The type of stories and people Sharmeen visits ignite the go getter within her; a go getter who refuses to settle for anything less than an ideal Pakistan. “Honestly, part of my determination stems from purely selfish reasons: I want to create a better country for my daughters Amelia and Cienna to live in,” she says when I ask how the idea of her latest venture, 3 Bahadur came about. The movie, which happens to be Pakistan’s first animated feature film, opened on May 22nd and has, thus far, garnered over Rs12.5 million at the box office. Chuckling, Sharmeen mentions how pleasantly surprised she was that 3 Bahadur outperformed Tanu Weds Manu Returns, a Bollywood comedy hit released around the same time. “I wanted to branch out and create something for our children to relate to,” explains Sharmeen. “The film depicts the story of three youngsters — Amna, Saadi and Kamil — who use their superpowers to rid their town off the villainous Mangu. It’s a typical, good prevails over evil kind of story.”
Riding high on this unprecedented success, Sharmeen is now gearing up for her next offering Song of Lahore, a film about an intergenerational community of musicians producing a special mix of traditional and western scores from the cultural capital. In fact, the 82-minute documentary closed to standing ovations and a Documentary Audience Award at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival just last month.
And so, the enigmatic experience of meeting Sharmeen comes to a close. As I get up to leave and walk past the trophy-laden shelves, I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy towards their recipient. There are few journalists in the world with the uncanny ability to wade through the multiple layers of a story and somehow, concoct masterpieces out of them like Sharmeen does. And those too, masterpieces that shape the future of women across the world. Back in 2012, Angelina Jolie told Time Magazine “Sharmeen celebrates the strength and resilience of those fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds and winning.” She got it wrong. Sharmeen doesn’t just celebrate it. She embodies it.
Amna Hashmi is a sub editor at the Express Tribune’s magazine desk.
Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, June 7th, 2015.
Admittedly, it isn’t easy interviewing Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. What do I, a newbie journalist, say to impress another so accomplished that even Angelina Jolie can’t help but gush about her? To my left stands a bureau displaying the collection of awards Sharmeen has bagged, the Emmys shining brightly on the top shelf. “If you’re looking for the Oscar, it isn’t here,” she says, laughing. “That particular one I keep at home.”
There is still plenty more in her office that can throw one off guard. The cream walls are adorned with snippets of Sharmeen’s interactions with Hilary Clinton and the likes. The desk is strewn with memorabilia from across the world, including a used gunshot shell Sharmeen picked up from Afghanistan. “Look at this Hezbollah flag I brought back from Syria,” she says excitedly, pointing to a large frame in the corner of the room. “Not many people know but I like collecting souveniors from places I visit to remember their people and what I did there. Adding to this collection is the best feeling.”
Madonna, Humaira Bachal and Sharmeen
There is something oddly human about this confession that puts me at ease. Contrary to what I had imagined, Sharmeen isn’t an outsize, rambunctious force of nature that will rudely shrug off my questions as silly. Instead, the 36-year-old seems younger and happy, with an inner glow about her. She begins speaking about her life, work and countless achievements with a gently modulated voice, in an easy, conversational manner. She is somewhat opaque; calculated but simultaneously casual. Little do I know that there is a whole lot of fervour bubbling beneath the exterior. “I have always been an extremely angry and curious person,” shares Sharmeen when I ask her what she loves about journalism. “All the disparity and injustice I saw while growing up perturbed me and I wanted to know the reasons behind it. When I became old enough to think for myself, I knew I had to do something about it, even if it was just to satisfy my own curiosity.”
At just 17, the precocious Sharmeen began drafting reports and essays for local newspapers, covering social issues that would often land her in hot water. “One time, I attended a private party undercover to speak with teenagers who were being kidnapped, tortured and harassed by the sons of wealthy landowners,” confesses Sharmeen. And although this had ramifications, Sharmeen never backed down. “You see, I never take no for an answer,” she tells me with a notorious twinkle in her eyes.
With this mantra, Sharmeen’s curiosity took her on a journey worthy of a documentary itself. Upon completing her undergraduate and postgraduate studies from the prestigious Smith College and Stanford University respectively, she began writing for various North American publications which provided her first official experience in journalism. In fact, her penchant for documenting real life in the troubled Muslim world only began following a brief stint with Afghan refugee children living in Pakistan during the war. Their heart-wrenching experiences compelled the young Sharmeen to record life in a refugee camp, in collaboration with Smith College and The New York Times television house she had taken up employment with. And so, Terror’s Children (2002) — Sharmeen’s first filmmaking venture — was born, propelling her to an Overseas Press Club Award, the American Women and Radio and Television Award and a South Asian Journalist Association Award.
Ever since then, the Obaid Chinoy career arc has upended expectations. A journalistic powerhouse, Sharmeen has lent her talents to more than 12 international feature films since 2002 and woven a career web spanning social issues from America to Africa to East Timor. Her journalistic prowess has been vouched for by The Guardian’s Sam Wollaston, who once said, “I don’t know what Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy wanted to be when she was a 10-year-old girl growing up in Karachi. But she ended up as a journalist and bloody good she is at it too!”
Fortunately for Pakistan though, Sharmeen’s true calling always lay back in her homeland. “If people like myself abandon Pakistan, who will be left here?” she asks, throwing her hands up in frustration. “I feel that the local television media has a long way to go in terms of responsible journalism and I want to change that. There is also a general apathy amongst the people for social issues of importance. I consider it my personal responsibility to highlight these issues and those suffering from them.”
Closer to home, Pakistan: Children of the Taliban (2009) and Saving Face (2012) remain the most popular works from Sharmeen’s impressive roster of documentaries, seeing as how they raked in Pakistan’s first ever Emmy and Academy Awards. “It feels great to have your hard work rewarded, especially considering the challenges we face in doing what we do. But trophies bear little significance compared to assisting the needy and marginalised,” says Sharmeen of her numerous accolades, which include a Hilal-e-Imtiaz from the government of Pakistan. I wonder how Sharmeen manages to rest at night after days spent studying horrific realities of life to which she replies, “My work can indeed become very taxing, emotionally and physically.” Reality is, however, not enough to deter the staunchly ambitious from achieving their goals. “There is much hope and inspiration to be derived from the plight of my subjects,” adds Sharmeen. “At times, during the filming of Saving Face, if I ever felt overwhelmed, I would remind myself that if Zakia and Rukhsana (the two main protagonists) haven’t given up, how can I?”
Sometime around now, I finally get another chance to tear away from my notepad long enough and scan Sharmeen’s office once again. While she hurriedly chats with whoever has rung her, I notice that the screen of her laptop is flashing bright, lighting up her visage. To my amazement, I realise that she has been typing away on her laptop all the while, whilst talking to me! I had been made aware of her excessively busy schedule prior to our meeting when she mentioned her next appointment was within the hour. “I am a complete workaholic, from morning to night,” she had said when I thanked her for meeting with me. “The only time I recall ever not working is when I have literally been in the hospital, delivering my babies.”
It is truly a wonder how Sharmeen manages living such a hectic lifestyle and still, somehow, making time for her family. Perhaps it is her sheer passion for storytelling and dream of a better Pakistan that keeps her going, who knows? What is evident is that she has absolutely no intention of slowing down. The type of stories and people Sharmeen visits ignite the go getter within her; a go getter who refuses to settle for anything less than an ideal Pakistan. “Honestly, part of my determination stems from purely selfish reasons: I want to create a better country for my daughters Amelia and Cienna to live in,” she says when I ask how the idea of her latest venture, 3 Bahadur came about. The movie, which happens to be Pakistan’s first animated feature film, opened on May 22nd and has, thus far, garnered over Rs12.5 million at the box office. Chuckling, Sharmeen mentions how pleasantly surprised she was that 3 Bahadur outperformed Tanu Weds Manu Returns, a Bollywood comedy hit released around the same time. “I wanted to branch out and create something for our children to relate to,” explains Sharmeen. “The film depicts the story of three youngsters — Amna, Saadi and Kamil — who use their superpowers to rid their town off the villainous Mangu. It’s a typical, good prevails over evil kind of story.”
Riding high on this unprecedented success, Sharmeen is now gearing up for her next offering Song of Lahore, a film about an intergenerational community of musicians producing a special mix of traditional and western scores from the cultural capital. In fact, the 82-minute documentary closed to standing ovations and a Documentary Audience Award at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival just last month.
And so, the enigmatic experience of meeting Sharmeen comes to a close. As I get up to leave and walk past the trophy-laden shelves, I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy towards their recipient. There are few journalists in the world with the uncanny ability to wade through the multiple layers of a story and somehow, concoct masterpieces out of them like Sharmeen does. And those too, masterpieces that shape the future of women across the world. Back in 2012, Angelina Jolie told Time Magazine “Sharmeen celebrates the strength and resilience of those fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds and winning.” She got it wrong. Sharmeen doesn’t just celebrate it. She embodies it.
Amna Hashmi is a sub editor at the Express Tribune’s magazine desk.
Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, June 7th, 2015.