The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb, announced in a tweet two days ago that for the first time ever, the federal government has allocated at least Rs3 billion for the Film Finance Fund while Rs1 billion will be used to provide health insurance for artists.
The minister highlighted the necessity of the move in playing a major role in the growth of the film industry, and in providing security for performing artists.
Here is the complete tweet:
“I am equally delighted to announce that funds have been allocated both for the Film Finance Fund and for Artists’ Health Insurance for the first time ever. Rs 2 bn have been allocated for the Film Finance Fund and Rs 1 bn for the Artists’ Health Insurance. I am certain that, jointly, these measures will play a major role in the growth of our film industry and improvement in the welfare of our nation’s Artists. This will play a key role in the promotion of Pakistan’s narrative, heritage and culture through films, as well as the growth of screen tourism in Pakistan.”
I am equally delighted to announce that funds have been allocated both for the Film Finance Fund and for Artists’ Health Insurance for the first time ever. Rs 2 bn have been allocated for the Film Finance Fund and Rs 1 bn for the Artists’ Health Insurance. I am certain that,…
In May, Aurangzeb had inaugrated PTV’s National Film Production Institute in Islamabad. At the ceremony, Aurangzeb revealed that the project will help in promoting Pakistan’s narrative worldwide, through screen tourism via the National Film, Culture Policy 2018, which states that cinema houses in the country will also be restored.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Sunday that establishment of the National Film Production Institute will prove helpful in the promotion of filmmaking in the country.
A 10-minutes standing ovation, pride, and tears of joy are what the world witnessed, as team Joyland stood tall amongst the august audience at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Joyland left its viewers beaming with joy as they revelled in the world of Saim Sadiq’s creation. A young director/writer, who with his innate creative aesthetic and passion has given a reason to people back home something to celebrate. Joyland will definitely serve as an opportunity for many to learn and aspire towards bringing the change. Pakistani cinema was in need of a moment like Joyland.
Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, Joyland represented Pakistan at Cannes. Joyland is the first Pakistani feature film to make the official selection at the festival. The film has been selected for the Un Certain Regard category. Cannes only takes in a limited number of 14 films in the category and it is a moment of immense pride for the Pakistani film industry.
Saim’s feature film is a star-studded ensemble, starring Sarwat Gilani, Salman Peerzada, Sania Saeed, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, and Rasti Farooq. The film is produced by Sarmad Khoosat, Apoorva Guru Charan, and Lauren Mann.
Team Joyland
The Current reached out to the director Saim Sadiq, producer Sarmad Khoosat and female actor Sarwat Gilani and asked them about how they felt representing Pakistan, their work, and the journey of Joyland.
Saim, who is currently abroad, has a message for his people back home. Speaking to The Current, Saim said, “I hope people back home do watch Joyland and respond to it in the same way with love and appreciation, just like we received at Cannes.”
Saim Sadiq- Director Joyland
A creative genius when it comes to dramas and films, Sarmad Khoosat, who is the producer of Joyland, told The Current how “proud, overwhelmed, and emotional” these past few days have been for the team and him.
Khoosat while talking about Saim said, “This is Saim’s film. It is from his heart and his soul. It is many years that he has spent with this story. Right from the day he shared the story, I knew that there was a connection and truth to it which is exceptional and special.”
Selfie of Sarmad Khoosat and Saim Sadiq
Talking about his role as a producer, Khoosat said that he had not produced in a while and the journey on the other side of the camera was a little unnerving initially. But the joy he seemed to witness as the journey unfolded and seeing everything stamped on camera was rather fulfilling for Khoosat.
“It feels like a dream”, is what Khoosat said about Cannes. “I am very proud of this ensemble cast. They are truly special and what gifted actors, they are people made of dreams.”
Pakistan’s much-adored actress Sarwat Gilani spoke her heart out in her conversation with The Current. “Joyland for me means revolution for Pakistani cinema for sure. It talks about a lot of issues we hide away or feel shy to talk about.” Speaking about her director, Gilani said, “Saim is a very intelligent and a detailed-oriented person. He knew exactly what he wanted. The strings he wanted to pull in his audience’s heart, and well he was successful in doing that. I loved working with him and would look forward to working with him again. He made Joyland with a lot of responsibility and sensitivity.”
Talking about Cannes, Gilani said that it was a magical time for the team of Joyland.
Sarwat Gilani at Cannes
“It was an absolute honour to be there and represent Pakistan. And we are delighted to make history. The reception we got was unbelievable. Joyland received a 10-minute standing ovation and that in itself was a fulfilling reward for all of us,” said Gilani.
“Joyland is a call for empathy”, says Saim Sadiq. His debut film has received an overwhelming response from renowned world critics as well.
Anupama Chopra, an Indian film critic writing about Saim said that “he is keenly observant of the deep-set biases we carry and the harshness with which we judge each other”.
“Joyland remains a thoughtful, well performed and engrossing drama set in a culture that’s shifting, and not always with ease,” writes Deadline.
We only hope and wish that Joyland is given its due credit back home and people reciprocate the same love and appreciation it has given to Pakistan. We all look forward to experiencing the joy and charm of Joyland on our screens, back home in Pakistan.
Pakistani filmmaker, Sarmad Khoosat’s much-awaited Zindagi Tamasha has been delayed again.
As confirmed by Khoosat himself, the Arif Hassan and Eman Suleman starrer will no longer be releasing in the anticipated Friday slot. A new release date is yet to be announced, much to the dismay of a thoroughly enticed Pakistani audience that was all geared up to show the film its due share of love.
With a script revolving around Rahat, a beloved, devout Muslim who is a naat Khawan, the film zeroes in on the protagonist losing the support of his community after a video featuring him goes viral, causing shame to befall upon him and his family.
The fact that the cast and crew of Zindagi Tamasha have already experienced exhausting turbulence with regards to the release of the film is public knowledge. Despite the Senate Committee for Human Rights approving the screening of the film, its 2020 release became a looming question mark after Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) took offense with the content of the film, calling for protests against its release.
Earlier it was supposed to release on March 18, 2022 in Pakistani cinemas after a widely speculated controversy with religious elements involved due to which it was barred to be screened earlier.
The production company Khoosat Films released a trailer of the film on YouTube, showing its new release date.
The cast of the movie includes Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz, and Ali Kureshi.
The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”
The film was directed and co-produced by Sarmad Khoosat and written by Nirmal Bano
Zindagi Tamasha was screened at Busan International Film Festival(BIFF) in 2019 where it won the prestigious award titled Kim Ji-Seok Award. It also received an award at the 6th Asian World Film Festival in the category of Snow Leopard Award for Best Film at the 6th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) in 2021.
The film was also the official entry from Pakistan for the 93rd Academy Awards in the category of International Feature Film Award however, it failed to qualify to a list of 15 International feature films.
The film got into trouble last year when Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) called for protests against its release claiming that it contains blasphemous content.
In January 2020, the Humsafar fame director wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Dr Arif Alvi, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chief of the Army Staff, and Minister for Information in which he detailed the problems his film was facing in its release.
Khoosat filed a petition against TLP in Lahore High Court for interfering in the release of the film however, he canceled to release of the film last year amidst the threats.
Last year, Senate Committee for Human Rights also approved the movie for screening and dismissed all the objections. Former Chairperson of the committee and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the film can be screened when cinema halls open post-COVID.
Actor Mawra Hocane shared her ‘most beautiful present that anyone has given her’ on Instagram. She shared a short video of a beautiful red Holy Quran, tagging Actor Ameer Gilani, thanking him for the present. She also said in the caption, “The most most beautiful present, one could ever give to someone??? Ty @ameergilani ?” .
