Pakistani Cinema

پاکسانی فلم میکر شرمین نے آسکر ایوارڈ جیت لیا
Our Oscar moment: Take a bow, Sharmeen
Saving Face: Pakistan’s golden moment - Tribune Article

پاکسانی فلم میکر شرمین نے آسکر ایوارڈ جیت لیا

Posted: 27 Feb 2012 09:19 PM PST

لاس اینجلس ۔ پاکستانی دستاویزی فلم ''سیونگ فیس'' نے پہلی مرتبہ آسکر ایوارڈ حاصل کرلیا، امریکی ریاست کیلی فورنیا کے شہر لاس اینجلس کے مقامی ہالی ووڈ پر سجنے والے چوراسیویں آسکرایوارڈ زکی تقریب میں نامزد ہونے والی شرمین عبید چنائے کی مختصر دورانیے کی دستاویزی فلم ''سیونگ فیس'' کو آسکر ایوارڈ سے نواز دیا گیا،فلم کی کہانی ان خواتین کے گرد گھومتی ہے جن پر تیزاب پھینکا جاتا ہے اور اس کے بعد وہ کن کن مسائل سے دو چار ہوتی ہیں۔

فلم میں مرکزی کردار دو تیزاب سے متاثرہ خواتین ذکیہ اور رخسانہ کا ہے، فلم کی ہدایتکارہ شرمین عبید چنائے کا کہنا ہے کہ وہ پاکستان کے لئے پہلا آسکر ایوارڈ حاصل کرنے پر نہایت خوش ہیں اور وہ یہ ایوارڈ فلم کے کرداروں اور پاکستان کی دکھی خواتین کے نام کرتی ہیں۔انہوں نے کہا کہ خواتین کو اپنے خواب ترک نہیں کرنا چاہیں، بلکہ ان کے حصول کے لئے جدوجہد جاری رکھنا چاہئے، واضح رہے کہ شرمین اس سے قبل ایمی ایوارڈ ، برطانیہ میں براڈ کاسٹ جرنلسٹ ایوارڈ، اوور سیز پریس کلب ایوارڈ ،امریکن ریڈیو ، ٹیلی ویژن ایوارڈ اور گولڈن ایگل ایوارڈ حاصل کرچکی ہیں۔ وزیراعظم یوسف رضا گیلانی نے آسکر ایوارڈ جیتنے پر شرمین عبید چنائے کو دلی مبارکباد کا پیغام دیا ہے۔

وزیراعظم گیلانی نے اپنے پیغام میں کہا ہے کہ شرمین عبید اور ان کی دستاویزی فلم'' فیس سیونگ'' نے پاکستان کے لئے اعزاز حاصل کیا ہے۔ ملکی تاریخ میں پہلی بار یہ ایوارڈ قوم کیلئے باعث فخر ہے، اس ایوارڈ سے پاکستان کا سافٹ امیج بھی نمایاں ہو گا، دریں اثناء شرمین عبید کی والدہ صباء حمید نے میڈیا سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ ان کی بیٹی شرمین عبید اور ان کی دستاویزی فلم کے آسکر ایوارڈ حاصل ہونے پر انہیں فخر ہے انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ اعزاز ہمارے ملک و قوم کے لئے باعث فخر ہے۔

Our Oscar moment: Take a bow, Sharmeen

Posted: 27 Feb 2012 09:05 PM PST

On a glittering night of cinema's biggest stage, the unexpected climaxed in the unbelievable.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy became the first Pakistani to win an Academy Award, one of world's most coveted accolades.

Obaid-Chinoy won the Oscar for Best Documentary (short) for Saving Face, a documentary on the victims of acid attacks in Pakistan – which she co-directed with American Daniel Junge.

On stage at the 84th Annual Academy Awards, an ecstatic but composed Obaid-Chinoy paid tribute to the women of Pakistan: "Women's bravery and resilience in the face of adversity inspires me every single day," she said. "They are the true heroes of Pakistan.

"Don't give up on your dreams. This is for you."

While her documentary won the hearts of the Academy Award jury, her success, it seems, has won the heart of the nation.

Soon after receiving the industry's most coveted accolade, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani led the tributes to Chinoy, 33, saying that she would be given a "high civil award" for her achievement.

The congratulatory messages seemed unending.

President Asif Ali Zardari also felicitated Obaid-Chinoy by sending a message that her efforts for highlighting with utmost sensibility a sensitive topic of acid attacks on women and creativity were appreciated.

Amongst other political leaders who expressed their jubilation and appreciation of Chinoy's work were Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek, Deputy Chairman Senate Mir Jan Muhammed Jamali and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain.

'Saving Face' chronicles the work of British-Pakistani plastic surgeon Mohammad Jawad, who performed reconstructive surgery on survivors of acid attacks in Pakistan.

The social media and electronic media also went viral, erupting with joy at news of the Oscar, showering praise for her win.

"The women who decided to be a part of the documentary did so because they wanted to make their voices heard and wanted to bring attention to this form of assault," Obaid-Chinoy said, speaking before she won the Oscar.

"The main reason that they are in 'Saving Face' is to make their stories heard and have an impact."

'Saving Face' is set to air on American cable television network HBO on March 8, while Obaid-Chinoy is also planning to screen the documentary at local schools, colleges and universities. "We're going to try to find the best possible way to show the film while ensuring that the women in the film are safe," she said.

"It is a story of hope with a powerful message for the Pakistani audience. I felt this would be a great way to show how Pakistanis can help other Pakistanis overcome their problems," she said.

Obaid-Chinoy's family lauds her achievement

Where film enthusiasts throughout the country celebrated Pakistan's Oscar moment, the family of the victorious film-maker remained overwhelmed by the love Pakistanis have given her in return.

"It is an amazing achievement by Sharmeen, she has brought so much honour to the family and above all the whole country," said Obaid-Chinoy's mother Saba Obaid, while addressing a press conference at the SOC (Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy) Films office on Monday afternoon.

"This recognition is the result of the effort put in by [her]," said Asad Faruqi, the director of photography of the documentary.

"The mere fact that she has won an Oscar reflects how honest she was to her struggle of highlighting the issue of acid victims in Pakistan," he said.

The observational documentary which was shot over the period of one and a half years was shot entirely in Pakistan with a large chunk of local crew members.

(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING FROM RAFAY MAHMOOD FROM KARACHI)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.

Saving Face: Pakistan’s golden moment - Tribune Article

Posted: 27 Feb 2012 08:56 PM PST

For Pakistan, 2012 could not have started on a sweeter note. If Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy scoring an Academy Award nomination for her documentary Saving Face in the category of Best Documentary (Short Subject) wasn't good enough, then her getting to take home the Oscar this Sunday night at the 84th Academy Awards presentation, definitely was. With the entire nation rejoicing at her victory, it seemed she had won the Oscar for all of Pakistan.

Obaid-Chinoy is the first Pakistani to receive an Oscar and hopes to screen her award-winning film at local schools, colleges, universities and communities to raise awareness about the victims of acid violence. Saving Face will air on HBO on March 8 in the US. According to a press release, Obaid-Chinoy has produced 16 critically acclaimed films, all of which have been aired internationally.

About Saving Face

Detailing the work of a British-Pakistani plastic surgeon, Dr Mohammad Jawad, Saving Face chronicles the doctor's travels across Pakistan as he performs reconstructive surgery on survivors of acid violence. Being one of the cruellest forms of violence and abuse, acid attacks are underreported in Pakistan but still, at least 150 cases are filed every year.

Obaid-Chinoy's documentary highlights the struggles and endurance demonstrated by these abused women despite their difficult circumstances. The film was shot entirely in Pakistan, mostly on the Seraiki belt, in addition to Rawalpindi, Karachi and Islamabad.

Encouraging words

Pakistani film-maker Adnan Malik commented on Obaid-Chinoy's win, "I feel like I have woken up to a new chapter in Pakistan's history. Sharmeen has diligently stuck to her dreams and she is a fantastic Pakistani ambassador. This Oscar is for the entire nation and it has broken the floodgates of what Pakistanis are capable of. Pakistani arts are now firmly entrenched on the world map."

On the other hand, Hasan Zaidi, a journalist and film-maker enthusiastically said, "You can knock us down and watch us bleed but you can't keep chains on Pakistanis. Way to go Sharmeen, you have made us proud and I am sure there are many more Oscars coming our way."

Ammar Aziz, a rising film-maker, also shared his feelings on Obaid-Chinoy's accomplishment. "This is a victory for the medium of documentaries. They have never been given much importance in our state. Now is the time to celebrate our growing tradition of documentary film-making and realism."

Proud students

One of Obaid-Chinoy's students Muzna Qamar quipped about the win, "This is a proud moment for the Media Science students of Szabist. She is a talented teacher and I am thrilled to say I worked on a public service message for her called 'Acid Attack'. Congratulations to you Ma'am Sharmeen."

Rida Salman, one of Obaid-Chinoy's students also said, "Being taught by her was one of the best experiences in my four years at Szabist. Her dedication and professionalism reflected in everything she said and taught. One needs to learn the art of storytelling and bringing reality to screen in its rawest form from Sharmeen."

Obaid-Chinoy's response

Calling the achievement "her dream come true" and the feeling "indescribable", Obaid-Chinoy encouraged other young Pakistani film-makers to continue their aspirations in this field. Dedicating the award to her film's primary subjects Rukhsana and Zakia, she ended on a positive note, "Pakistan was in the news today for all the right reasons and I am thrilled that we are now recognised as artists and storytellers."

Red carpet glory

Walking the red carpet with her husband Fahad Chinoy, Sharmeen wore custom Pakistani couturier Bunto Kazmi's creation with jewellery exclusively designed by Kiran Aman of Kiran Fine Jewellery. She kept the Pakistani spirit alive by also putting on an ensemble by leading fashion designers Sana Safinaz with exclusive jewellery by Sherezad Rahimtoola for the Oscars after-party.

With additional reporting by Saba Khalid and Sher Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.

online paki

Tuesday, February 28, 2012