Tag: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy

  • Sharmeen Obaid directs Gucci campaign starring Julia Roberts, Alia Bhatt, Serena Williams

    Sharmeen Obaid directs Gucci campaign starring Julia Roberts, Alia Bhatt, Serena Williams

    Just being the boss she is

    Powerhouse Pakistani director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy keeps setting new milestones like becoming the first Pakistani to win two Oscars, then going on to helm a Marvel show about a Pakistani-Canadian girl with incredible powers, and now she is also marking the 10th anniversary of Gucci Chime, an initiative set up by fashion house Gucci, by directing a series of videos featuring celebrities like Idris Elba, Julia Roberts and even other activists on what they chime for.

    Breaking the news on social media, Chinoy wrote:

    “When we got everyone in their chairs and the cameras started rolling the conversations always ended with people saying we have to ensure that the world moves towards gender equality! In the fight for a more gender equal world who do you chime for? @gucci @gucciequilibrium“

    The Gucci CHIME campaign was founded ten years ago in partnership with singer Beyonce and Pinault. Gucci hosted The Sound Of Change: Live in London which featured artists like Beyoncé, Florence Welch, John Legend and Jennifer Lopez. It was broadcast to one billion viewers and raised over $3.9 million to support girls and women worldwide.

    Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on why she chose to become an advisory member for Gucci Chime, the director revealed that she was inspired by the work the organisation had done to promote gender equality around the world:

    “I joined Chime for Change in 2013 because of its mission to promote gender equality and empower women and girls around the world. My career as a social justice filmmaker aligned itself with Chime’s three key pillars of education, health and justice. I have seen firsthand how the money raised through Chime improves the lives of women and strengthens communities.

    In my own home country of Pakistan, Chime helped build a girls school. I have seen the work put into key projects in Africa and South America, but what speaks to me the most is that Chime builds partnerships. It invests in women, not simply with funding, but also with advocacy, enabling them to then further champion other women. [Chime’s] model is unique and so many of the women they have championed now sit on its board. The work they have accomplished over the past decade reminds us of the importance of advocating for those striving to make a difference.”

    Since the post was uploaded yesterday, Pakistani celebrities like Mahira Khan, Mehreen Syed and Azfar Rehman have offered congratulations to Chinoy for the presitigious win.

  • ‘She’s Pakistani, due respect,’ Adnan Siddiqui schools Priyanka for ignoring Sharmeen Obaid’s nationality

    Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has gone from strength to strength, initially by becoming the first Pakistani and woman of color to first win two Oscars, then to helming Marvel projects and now to taking on the mantle of the first female director to take on the iconic franchise ‘Star Wars’.

    Chinoy’s remarkable achievements have made Pakistanis incredibly proud, putting the country on the global map of the entertainment industry.

    The ‘Star Wars’ announcement has prompted a lot of people to congratulate Chinoy, including local and international stars. However, Hollywood actress Priyanka Chopra’s sentimental note about the director irked a lot of people, including actor Adnan Siddiqui.

    Chopra has shared a note for Chinoy on Instagram, calling her the first ‘South Asian’ woman to achieve such monumental heights.

    Adnan Siddiqui then schooled her in a tweet, reminding her that Chinoy was a Pakistani first, then a South Asian

    “With due respect, @priyankachopra . Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is a Pakistani first just to brush up your knowledge. Much like the way you flaunt your Indian nationality whenever you get the opportunity before claiming to be a South Asian.”

    Siddiqui’s savage response earned him praises from Twitter.

  • Pak documentary about three differently-abled Pakistanis “As Far As They Can Run” shortlisted for Oscars

    Pak documentary about three differently-abled Pakistanis “As Far As They Can Run” shortlisted for Oscars

    Capping what has been a productive year for Pakistani entertainment, local documentary “As Far As They Can Run” has been shortlisted for the Oscars.

    This brings the tally of Pakistani films receiving international acclaim and getting a nomination at the Oscars to two.

    The team behind Joyland made the country proud by garnering critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival and other prestigious venues, and then getting shortlisted for an Oscar nomination.
    And now the Pakistani documentary ‘As Far As They Can Run’ too is up for the prestigious award in the ‘Documentary Short Film’ category. It explores the lives of three differently-abled adults who join a running program in Pakistan, hoping that they might change perspectives of differently-abled people in their hometown.

    The last time a Pakistani filmmaker had won an Oscar was in 2016 by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for her film “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” which explores the custom of honor killings in Pakistan.
    Filmmaker and Producer behind the documentary Ziad Zafar shared the news from his Twitter account, where he said that he was thrilled to be part of this film and asked his followers to send him good luck.
    Fans can watch the documentary on Paramount Plus.

  • Team ‘Lux Style Awards’ reacts to severe backlash for nominating Feroze Khan

    Team ‘Lux Style Awards’ reacts to severe backlash for nominating Feroze Khan

    The Lux Style Awards (LSAs) will not be excluding Feroze Khan from their list of nominees despite widespread criticism, including from Oscar-winning director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy.

    Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy Returns Her Lux Award After Feroze Khan's Nomination

    In a statement released on Wednesday night, the awards said, “The Lux Style Awards submissions are received from artists and channels as part of an open call for entries for consideration in the awards. All shortlisted nominations, for the Viewer’s Choice Category of the LSA 2022 are a result of exclusive viewer voting without any intervention by the Awards.

    “As part of our third party, the independent and transparent voting process, which is audited end to end by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LSA cannot participate in short-listing, vetting or excluding any submissions or nominations.”

    In a follow-up statement, the LSAs said they believe in “respecting the freedom and divert of audience views, and does not regulate or limit engagement (except in cases of content with obscene or inappropriate language) on our social media platforms.”

    Their move comes after Obaid Chinoy announced she was returning her Lux Lifetime Achievement Award, which she was awarded in 2012, in protest.

    “Lux is a beauty brand that sells soaps to women yet it has chosen to allow the nomination of a man known to have violently abused his ex-wife. Its parent company, Unilever, has a global campaign that says no to domestic violence and advocates against it. The company signed up to the United Nation’s SDGs, including SDG 5 on gender equality,” she wrote, noting that Unilever’s offices in Pakistan do not seem to share the same values.

    “In 2012, I was awarded a Lux lifetime achievement award, which I will be sending back to Unilever as the brand and I no longer share the same values. As a society, we must stand together against domestic violence and we must call out those who provide platforms to abusers, “she wrote.

    “Unilever and Lux have done a disservice to the awards and to society and it is not ok for them to allow the celebration of abusers.”

  • Mahira Khan set to be Will Smith’s leading lady in Hollywood debut

    Mahira Khan set to be Will Smith’s leading lady in Hollywood debut

    Two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is all set to make her narrative feature directorial debut with Brilliance. The upcoming film will be a Paramount Pictures adaptation of the Marcus Sakey novel.

    On the other hand, Hollywood star Will Smith will be producing the film under the banner of his company Westbrook Studios. Though the official announcement regarding the star cast is not made, it is being reported that that superstar Mahira Khan is in final talks to join the film.

    https://twitter.com/FilmUpdates/status/1575460011706286080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1575460011706286080%7Ctwgr%5E476817c227a1e942955c4a34f6f6879a228f1f29%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-36297767593164264713.ampproject.net%2F2209072154000%2Fframe.html

     In a report, describing the premise of the film, the publication stated, “if 1% of the world’s children were born with powerful gifts, how would society adapt to them? The Brilliance novel trilogy is set in a future where non-neurotypical people — demonized by society as “twists” or “abnorms” — are threatening the status quo of the “normal” population with their unique gifts.” Talking about Obaid-Chinoy, she is best known for directing Saving Face and A Girl in the River, The Price of Forgiveness and most recently Ms Marvel. Meanwhile, Smith will next star in Emancipation. In the upcoming Apple film, the star will be seen playing a hunted runaway enslaved man who struggles for freedom in the dangerous swamps of Louisiana. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the fact-based thriller’s release date is not announced yet.

  • Farhan Akhtar praises Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, shares experience on Ms Marvel

    Farhan Akhtar praises Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, shares experience on Ms Marvel

    Bollywood director and actor Farhan Akhtar penned a long statement of gratitude for the crew of Ms Marvel, including Pakistani director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for her ‘guidance’.

    Ms. Marvel Snippet Gives Us the First Look at Farhan Akhtar in the MCU Show

    Akhtar, whose role in Ms Marvel is yet to be revealed, started his tweet off by writing: “The post is in appreciation of the creators, the directors and all those in front and behind the camera, who collaborated to make Ms Marvel what it is.”

    The Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara star gave a shout out to Chinoy, saying: “It is in appreciation of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for her guidance through my days of working on it.”

    He then went on to share his appreciation for Marvel itself, writing: “It is in appreciation of Marvel. I’m proud to be part of their conscious inclusiveness.”

    “This show is a celebration of diversity and it certainly will bring joy and pride of self-identity to millions of young girls and boys of the sub-continent.”

    Akhtar then moved to conclude his note, saying: “And last but not least, it is in appreciation of the wonderfully talented Iman Vellani. Be prepared to be thoroughly entertained and effortlessly charmed by her. Thank you and good luck, team Ms Marvel.”

  • A first for subcontinent: Pakistani film ‘Joyland’ wins Jury prize at Cannes Film Festival

    A first for subcontinent: Pakistani film ‘Joyland’ wins Jury prize at Cannes Film Festival

    Independent filmmaker, Saim Sadiq’s feature film, Joyland has become the first film from the subcontinent to win a jury prize at Cannes.

    Pakistani film “Joyland”, written and directed by debutant Saim Sadiq, won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section of the 75th Cannes Film Festival on Friday, becoming the first-ever film from the subcontinent to bag the award.

    Joyland, a drama about a Lahore family in the firm grip of deep-rooted patriarchy, was pipped to the section’s top award.

    The award for “Joyland” represents a global breakthrough of immeasurable proportions for the relatively small Pakistani movie industry.

    Incidentally, Joyland also won the Prix Queer Palm, awarded by Jury chaired by filmmaker Catherine Corsini on Friday. One of the central characters in the film is a transwoman played by a real-life transwoman Alina Khan

    Earlier it also became the first ever Pakistani feature film to get a nomination at the Cannes film festival. It will be screened at the 75th Anniversary of the annual Cannes film festival. This film has made history by getting selected among the 14 films in the feature film category.

    Sana Jafri who starred in the film took to her Instagram to share the proud moment for Pakistan with a screenshot from Cannes official website. The film, Joyland was written in the category of Uncertain Regard.

    Many celebrities congratulated the entire team of the film.

    Mahira Khan wrote, “This is amaaaazin’G! Congratulations to the entire team. And to Pakistan.”

    Actor, Osman Khalid Butt also congratulated on Twitter, “This is FANTASTIC. What a huge moment for Pakistani cinema. Congratulations, Saim and the entire team of Joyland!”

    Actor and model, Adnan Malik also shared the news on his Instagram story and congratulated to the whole team of the film, “This is some incredible news to wake up to.”

    Oscar-Award winner, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy also took to her Instagram story to share her pride in achieving a milestone by Saim Sadiq.

    Ms Marvel actor, Nimra Bucha also celebrated the proud moment for Pakistan and Saim on her Instagram story

    Nadia Afgan wrote, “So proud of you, Saim Sadiq! Mommy loves you” as she posted Cannes’ official tweet on her Instagram story.

  • Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy receives award from British Human Rights Organisation

    Academy Award Winner, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is being awarded for “inspiring leadership, showing great courage for fellow human beings” through her documentary films. This award was given by The People’s Portfolio, a British Human Rights Organisation.

    The organisation is founded by Platon who is a famous British Portrait and Documentary Photographer. The main objective of this organisation is to create visual art that uses language that breaks any type of barrier, to empower dignity, raise a voice against discrimination, and join the general public to support human rights around the globe.

    This organisation arranges a fundraiser campaign to provide assistance with their future work and other human-related projects. Every year, the personality who contributes in creating exceptional work to raise a voice for human rights is awarded. This time, Pakistani
    Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid is being awarded for her efforts in directorial documentary films about women’s issues and their rights in Pakistan.

    On December 8, the organisation is holding an annual fundraiser at 6 pm EST(December 9 at 4 am as per Pakistan Standard Time, PST) where founder, Platon will celebrate Chinoy achievements and he will also screen his debut short film based on her.

    The donations which will be collected through this event, will help other human rights leaders to raise their voices against violence around the globe.

  • Sharmeen Obaid made film after three reported cases of acid attacks, says DG Rangers Sindh

    Director-General (DG) Sindh Rangers Major-General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhary has said that Pakistan is not as bad it is portrayed in the international media, Geo News has reported. He was speaking at Dow University in an event to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse day on Monday.

    He said that Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s Oscar-winning film Saving Face was made after three incidents of acid attacks were reported in Pakistan. He went on to add that more than 800 incidents of acid attacks were reported in London but no film was made and neither did the media report on it.

    DG Rangers further said, “There have been 10,000 knife attacks in the UK, but no one knows. Do you think London is safe? We are not as bad as we are portrayed, and we have also started to think negatively about ourselves due to the constant negative portrayal.”

    Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s production house SOC Films has been nominated in two Emmy Award categories.

    Sharmeen is a two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker who took home Oscars for 2015’s A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, which explored the aftermath of an attempted honour killing, and 2012’s Saving Face, which highlighted acid attacks on women in Pakistan.

  • ‘Don’t think you can ever be Mahira Khan’: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy blasts Sonya Hussyn

    Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy has lashed out at Sonya Huyssyn for bringing down Mahira Khan in context for signing the Bollywood movie Raees opposite Shah Rukh Khan.

    Sharmeen left a comment under a post of digital media news publication saying, “Don’t think you’ll ever be Mahira Khan so you won’t ever get to say no,” She further added, “Don’t dis other women in the industry reflects poorly on you and your upbringing.”

    Sonya Hussyn appeared on Yasir Hussain’s The After Moon Show in 2018. During the rapid fire segment of the show, Yasir asked Sonya that if she was Mahira Khan which film of hers she would have not done? The Karachi Se Lahore actor gave her three options: Verna, Raees and Ho Mann Jahan. To which the Saraab star replied that she wouldn’t have done Raees as she has no interest of playing a sidekick character to Shah Rukh Khan.