'Made in Pakistan' stands alone in Mumbai film fest

Mumbai, Nov 4 (IANS) 'Made in Pakistan', a documentary that gives a glimpse into the thinking of modern day Pakistanis, was the only film from across the border which was screened in the 11th Mumbai Film Festival.

'This is a futuristic or revolutionary film that could portray where new-gen Pakistanis wish to see themselves in near future,' Nasir Khan, director of the movie, told IANS in an interview.

This film seeks to find out if Pakistanis themselves care to live in peace and if they are able to decide the direction of their own future. It shows how four independent characters of the movie are taking their strides to fulfil their dreams unbound by their customs.

'I made this film to show Pakistan through the eyes of Pakistanis,' he said.

Asked if they faced any hazards while shooting the film, producer Adil Sher said: 'There wasn't any political intervention, though we had to face problem in arranging for the funds and finally we had to land up in self-finance.'

The film is about the new-gen Pakistanis, who account for around 40 percent of the population and who have no medium available to express it.

'Youths in Pakistan think the same way one thinks in India or other parts of the wold, but they hardly get a chance to exploit their liberty. I took the initiative, you can say,' said Khan.

'Made in Pakistan' even showcases the stiking contrast between one's belief about Muslim girls and their reality through the characters Tara and Rabia -- the former is an actor and event manager and latter is a Chief editor of a monthly English magazine.

'These characters were very important because I wanted to show the world that the girls are not a commodity in Pakistan and they are also making a good life there,' said Adil Sher.

A graduate from McGill University in Canada, Khan's initiation into the world of television was at World Affairs TV Production in Montreal where he wrote and produced TV shows.

All characters selected for his documentary film are people from different walks of life and they made their debut in acting in this film.

'None of them are actors by profession but they agreed to do the film as all were eager to show the new face of Pakistan,' said Sher.

The film has already garnered the audience choice award in South Asian International Film Festival 2009.

When asked if he wished to do a film in India, he said: 'I am just waiting for an opportunity.'