2013 will be remembered as a game changer for the Pakistani cinema. It was the year when cinema in Pakistan actually had its much talked and needed rebirth, giving everyone a much visible direction towards the better days for Pakistan film industry. Though we didn’t see any surprising change in terms of number of local films getting released in cinemas, but the real difference was actually made by the increased number of quality films — films from the new-age cinema–being made and released in the country. The local cinemas last year housed a couple of successful films like Siyaah, Chambaili, Zinda Bhaag, Main Hoon Shahid Afridi and the history making Pakistani film, Waar.
A penal discussion was held in FiLUMS – LUMS International Film Festival – on the topic of ‘Old Cinema Versus New Cinema’, chaired by the two echelons of Pakistani film industry, Shahzad Rafique and Shahzad Nawaz. Rafique, a veteran film director with blockbuster hits like Ghongat, Saalakhain, Muhabtaan Sachian and recently released Ishq Khuda to his credit and Shahzad Nawaz now being an established film producer after his last year cinema hit Chambaili, talked about the evolution Pakistan film industry is and has gone through over the years.
According to Nawaz, the cinema in Pakistan is changing and its changing fast. The Gandasa culture is over as people needed change and fresh stuff. Like his, more and more films are now being made that relate to people and give a meaningful message to the audience. “I will continue making honest films”, he told the attendees of the workshop.
Rafique asserted that the old cinema and the new cinema has a difference of new techniques and technology that work as aid in the process of film-making. The evolution and revolution are the natural part of current film making. He said that the work of sincere filmmakers of past helped in the sustenance of the cinema in its bleak years and carved a path for the aspiring filmmakers.
Many attendees in the workshop asked questions about what path to follow in order to become a successful filmmaker. Both panelists agreed that the hurdles and disappointments are part of process but one should never lose hope and continue following their passion. “Pakistani cinema will have renaissance by 2017”, hoped Rafiq.
Reported By: Zeeshan Mahmood
