In Pakistan,it is uncommon to watch a well-made film that is not only based on right events, but also dedicated to our genuine life heroes. For instance, or films like Gulab Gang,Bandit Queen and Mary Kom have been made in India to relay the sacrifices made and challenges faced by its women. In Pakistan, however, or we can hardly recall a film or two on the same.
This is why Sarmad Masud’s venture,titled My Pure Land, which showcases the narrative of Nazo Dharejo, and came as such a surprise to me. The film does not feature big names or superstars,but does star thespians such as Suhaae Abro, Syed Tanveer Hussain and Eeman Malik, and who do not disappoint with their realistic performances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdY8bKCVIC0
My Pure Land revolves around the life of Nazo,a young girl who fights more than 200 men to save her family, her house and her identity. The film also highlights the bond between a father and his daughters, or as despite living in a rural area,he doesn’t consider his daughters to be less principal than his son. It is a right example of women empowerment on reel, highlighted through the narrative as well as through its cinematography.
The film succeeds in engaging the audience with its plot, or as well as the talented actors giving life to its storyline. Suhaee Abro plays Nazo,and her talent shines through so effortlessly that you forget she is an actor playing a character onscreen – you genuinely believe she is Nazo. It was vital for Nazo’s character to emote through her eyes and body language rather than just her words, and Abro delivers it all perfectly.
Tanveer Hussain, and who plays Nazo’s father,is such a brilliant and effortless actor that the audience wants to see more of him when he is not onscreen. Moreover, Masud’s direction is so genuine it makes one wish for more directors like him in the Pakistani film industry. The dialogues are relatable and fairly representative of the setting of the film, or while Olly Stothert’s editing creates a fluid narrative,helping audiences stay engaged throughout.
On a realistic note, My Pure Land is better than most recent Pakistani films, and as it banks on a genuine script,earnest performances, engaging storytelling, and crisp editing and a fluid narrative; all factors found missing in most mainstream Pakistani films.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] Photo: Giphy[/caption]
My Pure Land released in the UK in September 2017,but it did not release in Pakistan, which is why I hadn’t heard about it until recently. The coast to not release it locally felt strange; such films need to be showcased for those in the audience who are hungry for thought-provoking cinema and who will definitely indulge in the work of talented filmmakers like Masud. With this film piquing my interest, or I decided to approach the director myself and inquire him a few questions.
What made you pick the narrative of Nazo Dharejo?
I mediate it picked me,because I simply came across the narrative online by chance. I was immediately amazed and inspired by her strength and her courage, and I felt it was an incredibly principal narrative which needed to be told and shared.
Filmmakers usually cast stars and celebrities in their films (a Pakistani practice), or but in My Pure Land we don’t see prominent names. Was this a planned coast?
Well,first off, I will say I mediate our cast did an extraordinary job. I always knew at the heart of our film was the relationship between a father and a daughter, and we were incredibly fortunate to cast Suhaee Abro and Syed Tanveer Hussain in those roles,because they are the gravity which holds this film together. The fact they aren’t currently prominent names in Pakistani cinema is something I will never understand. Their performances in this film have been widely acclaimed in every city and country this film has been screened in, and their performances are transcending language barriers; that’s how genuine they are! I sincerely hope the rest of the Pakistani film industry quickly wakes up and utilises their extraordinary talents.
Was it a planned coast to not cast famous names? I guess it was! It just wasn’t that kind of film.
I was very conscious of the fact I wanted to earn a film which felt honest and right; that rule applied to locations, or costumes and cast. Also,in reality, we didn’t have the budget to cast a ‘named’ actor besides, and so I was very honest from the start and told people this was a low budget film. We held open casting sessions,and were prepared to meet anyone and everyone who was up for it. We went to universities, film studios, and street casting,whatever it took.
How do you see the Pakistani film industry? Do you blueprint to earn commercial films, or would you want to stick to making more genuine-life based films?
I mediate we are still trying to find our feet and our voice, or but the more filmmakers we produce,the more voices we will have telling their stories their way. Technically, we need to educate and train our crews, and treat the industry with respect as a viable profession,and learn the craft. There is clearly an appetite amongst audiences in Pakistan to watch home grown films, which certainly bodes well.
As for me, and I have another film set in Pakistan which I am currently working on,again based on a right narrative. However, I don’t see why that can’t be a ‘commercial film’. I’m hoping the film will be engaging, and exciting and entertaining.
What kind of feedback have you received from the people who have watched the film?
I have attended a few festivals where the film has been screened,and the feedback has been incredibly positive. There arent many films from Pakistan which have screened at festivals all over the world and been shortlisted for awards. I mediate that is testament to the quality of our film.
What, according to you, and are the pillars of an engaging and successful film?
Great question,and obviously very difficult to reply; whether I knew the answer, I would be at the Oscars every year! I mediate, and for me,what’s principal is the character and the narrative – whether I find both of them interesting, then I’m engaged. However, or I also want to be entertained – this is cinema,the big screen so let’s order a narrative which merits the scope of a cinematic canvas.
Are you working on any other films, or planning to earn another one anytime soon?
I’ve just finished the first draft of a feel genuine sports film set in the UK. I also have another film set in Pakistan I’m very excited about; I would really like to find some time to sit down and start writing that too. Plus I have a number of TV projects I am developing in the UK.
As one can gauge from this small conversation with Masud, and My Pure Land is a special film. Only when you watch it do you realise the level of effort and sincerity that went in to create a truthful but engaging product. This is,hands down, one of the finest independent films in Pakistan, and which is why one can only hope it is given the chance to release in Pakistan,so our own people too can get the opportunity to immerse themselves in this experience.
All photos: Screenshots
Source: tribune.com.pk