Written by: Nayha Jehangir Khan
Posted on: October 09, 2020 | 
A Shot from Indus Blues
Quarantine is starting to transform our daily social lives and along with it how we choose to experience art and entertainment, by compelling us to imagine new ways in which we can come together. In particular, the Foundation Art Divvy, established in 2012 by the mother-daughter team of Asma Rashid Khan and Zahra Khan, was created to ‘divvy up’ and spread contemporary art from Pakistan around the world.
Currently, it is joining forces with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad to organize, the “Divvy Film Festival”, a six-week film festival starting Friday, 9 October, 2020. Khan explained, “It was the right time to put this into motion, and organize the Divvy Film Festival at the PNCA. The PNCA's Film Head, Mr. Aijaz Gul and Director General, Fouzia Saeed have been extremely supportive of our endeavor.”
Though the future of cinema in a post-COVID Pakistan seems uncertain, with almost all cultural and entertainment venues shut down for the foreseeable future, PNCA has enough space for audiences to enjoy films comfortably and safely under the stars, seated in the open-air amphitheater space with proper COVID social distancing Standards of Procedure (SOPs). Alongside this festival, the PNCA is launching a Film Diploma course, to encourage young Pakistanis to explore artistic expression through filmmaking.
Song of Lahore, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinnoy
The program includes more than 20 independent films, alongside local and international documentaries, feature films, short films, fiction films and animations screened at the PNCA every Friday till 16th November, 2020. The diverse lineup is a powerful introduction to different ways in which independent films observe and celebrate the Pakistani identity. Their thought-provoking narratives, multidimensional characters combine with strong cinematography, and a hopeful lens aims to promote a tolerant Pakistan that comes together to celebrates its many cultures, forms of music, natural environments, local communities and artistic efforts.
The lineup for the first screen event includes, “Song of Lahore” by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinnoy, “Darling” by Saim Sadiq, “Burka Avenger: Anti-Cult” by Haroon Rashid, and “K2 and the Invisible Footmen” by Lara Lee.
(L to R) Siam Sadiq and A Shot from Darling
Speaking about the importance of the festival, Saim Sadiq, the Director of “Darling”, said, “Theatres have incurred a heavy financial loss over the COVID crisis, the role of promoting independent cinema has become crucial in the survival of the industry. Cinemas are yet to fully reopen across the country, which has stopped the release of over ten independent films this year. Multiple theatres have permanently shutdown leaving limited resources for the film industry to generate revenue. The PNCA can incentivize the government, create awareness on taxation and help filmmakers sustain, support and promote filmmaking in the country. We need healthier dialogue between the public, official broadcasting agencies, laws that encourage creativity and artists.”
Pioneering animation in Pakistan, Haroon Rashid created the Burka Avenger as a way to merge fantasy and action for millions of Pakistanis. Burka Avenger has been depicting thoughtful social commentary on the state of education in the country, and sends an uplifting social message to the audiences.
(L to R) Haroon Rashid and The Poster for Burqa Avenger
Talking about the urgent need to hold film festivals, he explained, “Art Divvy is doing ground-breaking work in the arts and media field for Pakistani. I believe it is a great initiative, the way institutions like PNCA are trying to help filmmakers transition to a post-COVID Pakistan. It is so important for events like these to serve as a platform designed for young independent filmmakers, especially as it will aid their journey to getting established as film directors of the future. We do not have enough institutions that can help teach filmmaking professionally, but here, young independent filmmakers can hone their skills through experience and actually showcasing their work to the public.”
Jawad Sharif directed “Indus Blues”, and is also the cinematographer of “K2 and the Invisible Footmen”, which is the last of Friday’s lineup. He strongly disagrees with the criteria of first acquiring a Censor Certificate to screen films, as it hampers the creative autonomy of the filmmaker. For him, the solution lies in institutional support, which can ease some of the burdens and setbacks of making independent films in Pakistan.
(L to R) Jawad Sharif and K2 and the Invisible Footmen
“Commercial feature films are considered lucrative investments, but Independent cinema suffers from non-responsive producers. The PNCA could organise grants, fellowships with funding that can help unburden independent filmmaking from self-sustaining projects, and help them gain access to the public. Working in collaboration with the artist has become essential in building a healthier cultural eco-system in the future.”
Sharif went on to further laud the efforts of the PNCA, “The film school being launched by Dr. Fauzia Saeed is a great initiative, which can be further bolstered by creating subsidised merit-based slots for students. Serving as a mother-figure of the Pakistani arts, PNCA is responsible for creating a safe and secure hub for artists to showcase and discuss their works with each other. The community requires a compassionate institution to nurture the upcoming artistic communities, and help sustain artists in the face of an uncertain post-COVID Pakistan.”
After each screening, there will be a panel discussion followed by an interactive Q&A session with the filmmakers that is open to audience participation. The space has a capacity of 200 people, and RSVP can be sent to the email address: foundation@projectartdivvy.com. The screening is by invitation-only, with an age limit of 15 and above. To follow updates on the film festival, please follow ‘Art Divvy’ on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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