Let's start with the pros:
I liked her speech. It was eloquent and recognized the mistakes of her country [and possibly the mistakes of the other industries]. She came off as intelligent (in the beginning). Her message was also positive (in the beginning, and sort of in the end).
Let's breakdown her speech now.
Each point title is bolded, Mehwish's quote (may be paraphrased) italicized, and my points in normal font.
Point 1:
Peace is a concept that Pakistan has not known since it's inception. Volatile birth, embroiled in conflict. Peace is a relative state of mind. On the brink of another conflict with our neighbor over Kashmir.
Agree.
Point 2:
"Why should it matter to [her] as an actress? [She] believes that being in film industry carries a tremendous responsibility. Cinema is a powerful tool that can change people's minds, behavior, and attitudes."
The power of having an audience is an important tool. Cinema isn't the only tool that can be used (news, education, etc. have an effect too), but she's from the film industry so her point is fine.
Point 3:
"I sincerely believe that HW films and program vilifying our country and portraying us as backward-terrorists has had a tremendous effect on the psyche of the west. It has greatly influenced what people think of Pakistan" ... Names movies that "she doesn't recognize of her country."
I'd disagree with this. There are other tools that can change people's minds, behaviors, and attitudes as well - such as the news and education (anything that can garner a large audience). What has Pakistan done to present itself as a non-terrorist country to the West? The biggest thing that stands out for most Americans would likely be the fact that Bin Laden (the guy behind the 9/11 attacks) was being kept lavishly in Pakistan.
Heck, what has Pakistan done to present itself as a non-terrorist country at all? The terrorist military governs the state, they carry out terrorist attacks, harbor terrorists, etc. We just had news come out that Christians in Pakistan are forcibly converted to Islam. Non-Muslims are kidnapped and raped/love-jihaded as well. I seem to recall there being a Hindu father in Pakistan who went viral after a video of him begging for his daughters was uploaded to the internet earlier this year (or last?). The entire circumstance in that situation was odd, and while a Pakistani court found that it was not a forced kidnapping, I would seriously doubt that result given the number of forced conversions that happen. Further, the largest doubt thrown was the age of the daughters, with the father saying they were minors and the other party (can't recall if it was the daughters or someone else) saying they were adults.
People think of Pakistan exactly how Pakistan portrays themselves. Why would Hollywood, based in America where the 9/11 attacks occurred, masterminded by the Al-Quaida terrorist leader Osama Bin-Laden, who was found and shot dead in Pakistan, after "hiding" there for years, portray such a country in a positive way? What did Pakistan do that shows America that they aren't backward terrorists?
Not everyone in Pakistan is a terrorist, but the education system and the journalism all point to Pakistan being a selfish, entitled, b-word, using propaganda to reshape the minds of their citizens into thinking that India is the evil country -- instead of trying to fix their own issues internally. I recall reading a page from a Pakistani textbook that said something about how Pakistan was created because there was Hindu-Muslim conflicts in India. Yeah, no, that wasn't the reason.
Point 4:
"For a country branded as terrorists, we have lost over 70k lives, and countless billions (sounded like billions, but maybe millions?) since 2001. That is more than any other country. Where is that being shown?"
Is she seriously trying to portray Pakistan as the victims? It's not that Pakistan is "branded" as terrorists ... there is farking evidence that they support terrorists. The lives they lost, the billions (monetary) they lost were all direct/indirectly related to terrorism that they were supposed to eradicate. It's been 18 years now ... and they still haven't managed to eradicate terrorism within their own country. What happened to all that money? What is the value of all those lives? But sure, let's show that side of Pakistan instead.
Point 5:
Negative images of Muslims, fueled the rise of Islamaphobia.
Painting as the victims. Typical tactic. Yes there are good muslims and bad muslims ... but if the good muslims aren't going to do shit about the bad muslims, someone has to point the bad muslims out. And saying "Oh these people are bad muslims. But wait, there are these people who are good muslims ... doesn't do shit."
She's obviously catering to the liberal generation who somehow believes Islam is a religion of peace.
Point 6:
Bollywood is one of the largest industries in the world, and in a time where they could have brought us together, they make movies showing Pakistanis as the villians.
Yaar, kya ch*tyapa hai yeh? Why does BW has the onus of bringing Pakistan together? The Indian government has tried numerous peace attempts with Pakistan, but Pakistan refuses to cooperate. Kashmir's conflict could have been easily resolved - per the UN resolution - if Pakistan steps back. They refused. Isme hum kya karein? Unke ghaand chatna padega kya? This victim complex of Pakistan is so disappointing. On one hand, she tries to take responsibility, and the other hand, she blames everyone else for not understanding Pakistan. Abe gaanta ... how Pakistan represents itself is its issue. If the portrayal is wrong, criticize it ... but Pakistan has sponsored terrorist acts within India for a long time now. Should BW ignore that because it paints Pakistan as it is? Should URI not have been made?
Point 7:
"I understand given our history, upbringing, and politics, it is very difficult to be neutral and in being so, it can be seen as being unpatriotic." But if we want a semblance of peace for the future generation, artists have to see beyond nationalism and take a stand.
Sure. I don't see what that can do, but I like, appreciate, and respect the effort.
Point 8:
What is the answer? Pakistan should focus on their films to show a nuanced version of their country. Make movies about Pakistan and not only for Pakistan.
You mean ... spread Pakistani propaganda dictated by the lovely terrorists across the globe. Yeah that sounds nice.
Point 9:
"Hollywood has to acknowledge the damage they have inflicted on my country with the way they have been portraying us. ... Not asking for more positive representations, but asking for balanced representation. There is more to us than gun-wielding terrorists or subjugative women... come on .. that's so cliched. Let's move on from that."
Sorry for the hold guys. It'll just be a moment. This is a very important message.
Okay. Where was I? Oh right.
Point 10 I think?
Neighbors (India) have to decide what they want ... nationalistic fervour or peace. If they want peace, like Immu Chan said, if India takes the first step, we are ready to take 10 more.
See above please.
See Below please.
Okay, where was I again?
Every time India wants peace, Pakistan strikes with terrorism. Fark this peace talk BS. If Imran Khan truly seeks peace, shape up his country first, and then talk. How many times has India sought peace? How many times has peace talks stopped because Pakistan didn't want to or because Pakistan terrorists attacked India?
Why does India have to take the first step for peace? Why can't Pakistan ever take the first step? Like back away from Kashmir? Kuch bolne se aacha, kuch karne mein hai. Imran Khan can talk his ass off, but unless he shows some action, I am very doubtful with peaceful talks. His response to the Kashmir conflict shows the same.
Take 1 step and Pakistan will take 10. Yeah, with farking terrorists. I wouldn't trust that terrorist puppet at all.
What pisses me off is that people clapped at this crap. Are people that stupid they don't know the number of times India has reached over to Pakistan to end this crap? But when Immu chan does it, the world loves it. Fark these double standards.
Point 11:
Common sense prevails and within this life we can witness peace.
Most of us want the same as well. That isn't going to happen unless Pakistan changes. Change your education propaganda that builds hate in little children, change your media propaganda that portrays Pakistan as a good country that does no evil, and get rid of the terrorism within your own country. Heck, free Balochistan (edit: and POK) as well because you seem to give a ton of shit about Kashmir. That's a start.
Edited by guenhwyvar - 6 years ago
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