Pakistan is definitely making progress in its cinematic ventures as new genres are being experimented with, which is being positively received by the public. However one movie ‘Saawan’ has gotten international acclaim even before Pakistanis have had the chance to see it!
Saawan: Making its Mark Even Before Being Released
Saawan has won ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ at The Madrid International Film Festival 2017, and ‘Best Film’ as well as ‘Best Director’ at the Social World Film Festival 2017. It has been directed by Farhan Alam and produced as well as written by Mashood Qadri, under the auspices of Kalakaar Films. It is expected to release on 15th September 2017 in Pakistan, UAE, UK, USA and India.
It is also quite a serious contender to be selected for next year’s Academy Awards Foreign Films category as well.
Saawan: The Story
Saawan is based on true events and revolves around a nine year old handicapped boy played by Syed Karam Hussain (who makes his silver-screen debut, though he has been acting in drama serials for the past few years). He is shunned by nearly everyone, and is left all alone to survive in a barren valley of Baluchistan. With the help of the loving memory of his mother, some local boys and a three legged dog, he fights back and defies all odds. It is a heart-touching and inspiring story of tremendous resolve, love and compassion which is victorious over our age old customs of tyranny, deception and above all ignorance.
It also has the potential to give people the courage to speak out about a very sensitive and important issue i.e. exploitation and mistreatment of disabled children in our society. So it very heartening to see such movies being made, which might bring about the much needed and awaited change in the current mindsets.