Made in Pakistan: groundbreaking film just released in US and Pakistan (video)

Photo courtesy of Made in Pakistan

It’s not easy to get public attention focused on documentaries. But in a world in which the mass media sets the public agenda, and creates public perceptions, Made in Pakistan bucks the trend and says – Newsweek, you’ve drastically oversimplified Pakistan. And, we’ll show you why.

On October 29, 2007 Newsweek ran a cover story declaring Pakistan to be “The Most Dangerous Place in the World.” Titled Where the Jihad Lives Now, the article declared Islamic militants have spread beyond their tribal bases, and have the run of an unstable, nuclear-armed nation.

Indeed, much of the press had talked of little else. But countries are rarely that simple. Pakistan is no monolithic place or people.

Dismayed by Newsweek cover article Nasir Khan and Ayesha Khan along with Adil Sher and Rizwan Saeed decided to make a documentary about life in Pakistan -- a fascinating and ultimately successful effort to challenge Western stereotypes.

Meet the People of Pakistan
The film documents the lives of four Pakistani professionals during military rule of Pervez Musharraf.

Viewers meet Waleed Khalid a religious moderate who is one of the lawyers protesting the dismissal of the highest judicial official by the government. In fact, so dedicated and principled are these legal professionals that they essentially gave up their livelihood to work towards the return of the “rule of law” in Pakistan.

We also meet Rabia Aamir a journalist and working mother hoping to get a new magazine, the Fourth Article, off the ground. Through her we see the lives of young Pakistani men and women as they navigate through a difficult economic environment.

Mohsin Waraich is an aspiring politician whose attempts to secure the election of his father provides a fascinating glimpse into the way political business is done.

Tara Mehmood is an event coordinator and public relations account executive starting her own business. Through her eyes we see the emerging fashion designer who proudly proclaims at the end of his show that everything we just saw was made entirely in Pakistan.

So, What Happened to Them?
During the filming, great changes took place. A suicide bomber blew up in the road where the lawyers were to hold their weekly protest. Benazir Bhutto was murdered. Musharraf's resignation in August 2008, led to the September presidential election of Asif Zardari, Bhutto’s widower.

At the end, the men and women in the film talk about their feelings and, as a coda, we learn what has happened to them since (they are faring well). In the process, we also learn something of what is happening in Pakistan.

The Backstory
“Made in Pakistan” is the first documentary ever to be released theatrically in Pakistan – released on July 31st, 2009, with STILL WATER PRODUCTIONS.

“This documentary has been a labor of love for all involved,” says Ayesha Khan, “and it is wonderful to be finally screening for an audience.”

Enjoy this trailer of Made in Pakistan

Finding Screenings of Made in Pakistan
Ayesha Khan and her associates are speaking to US distributors for a theatrical release and are also in the midst of negotiating a theatrical release in the UK. “Our next stop is going to be the Cancun International Film Festival and another one which we will be announcing in September,” she said. In addition they are planning special screenings in the Albuquerque area.

Find news and screening information at: www.talkingfilmain.com www.indusvalleyproductions.com and on Facebook under the group name MADE IN PAKISTAN

See the movie. It’s a brilliantly done look at real people doing the best they can. It is a look at the other side of Pakistan. The side where people are living their lives as best they can, in the country they love.

Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/offbeattravel

Enjoy my new National column on Offbeat Places