A number of short documentaries made by Pakistani film-makers have been screened at the on-going London International Documentary Festival.These include “I am Agha” which is a poignant and touching portrait of a day in the life of a child who lives on the street and survives by collecting rubbish to sell.The seven-minute documentary has been directed by Atif Ahmed, Kiran Mushtaq, and Umar Saeed.“I Witness” directed by Ali Ahad Ullah and Ali Changezi followss the story of survivors of the December 28, 2009 terrorist tragedy in Karachi.
Directed by Ali Ahmed, Brohi Summaiya, and Hafeez Talha and running for ten minutes “Open the Blindfolds” follow 3 characters at a missionary school where pupils of different faiths study and work together in an environment of peace and harmony.
“Paper Bus” is a story of how does an ordinary man rebuild his life after losing everything. This eight-minute shoot is the endeavour of directors Bilal Latif and Sehar Palijo.
“Waiting on a Thousand Dreams” is a dialogue between two people, who speak of themselves as Pakistanis struggling to be treated as individuals rather than a number and canned through the joint efforts of directors Kaysad Kiara, Nabiha Khan, and Sarah Ismail.
“Will See You That Day?” directed by Farhan Maqsood is about Pakkhi Vaas (Temporary Inhabitants) the marginalised of society, inhabiting the outskirts of Lahore.
Many myths and mysteries surround their religion, lifestyle and identity.This film is an attempt to explore the daily life, the place, and the faces of these unknown people.
Another effort of Farhan Masood is “The Horse Saint” that follows the happenings at the saint’s shrine in Lahore. Shrines in Punjab capital provide a space for counter-cultural elements and activities in Pakistani society. It shelters the underdog, the marginalized and the unheard prayers of the people. The film explores the shrine culture, the mysterious characters, myths and rituals that surround it.
One of most exciting documentary to be screened was 14-minute film “Wagah” shot on the both sides of border check post between Pakistan and India near Lahore. Each evening just before the sunset thousands of people gather to witness the ritual closing of the border, after which the masses get as close as possible to the gate to greet their former neighbours.
The longest documentary shown was the 57-minute “Silent Viel” directed by Spanish Milt Alvarez. This is a powerful documentary focusing on the oft-overlooked issue of domestic abuse in Pakistan, specifically the practice of men throwing acid on women. The victims are usually girls aged sixteen to twenty, and the motivations behind their attacks range from rejected proposals to sexual refusal to mere perceived disobedience. However, in nearly all of the cases, the crime goes unreported and unpunished.
The film follows beautician Mussarat Misbah, founder and president of “Smile again Pakistan,” an organization dedicated to finding these victims and providing them with medical care, psychological counselling and vocational training.
The film makes a strong point of showing that these acts are not representative of the religion as a whole. The men who commit these acts mostly live in insular, poverty-stricken communities, and as a result suffer from feelings of anger and inadequacy. Although these acts are monstrous, the film positions them as symptomatic of larger socioeconomic ills.
Travelling throughout the Pakistani countryside, the film crew profiled several victims and the circumstances leading up to their attacks. In short, the film is not so much above the brutality of these acts as it is about hope and the strength and resilience of the human spirit. – App
