In an exclusive conversation with Instep, Hamza Bangash talks about his debut feature film, Mariam, that recently bagged the first prize in the MPA-AFA category at BIFF 2019
Writer-director Hamza Bangash, whose short film Dia has had multiple screenings at various international festivals, attended the Asian Film Academy (AFA) as part of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2019 - earlier this month.
Apart from representing Pakistan at the festival, Hamza Bangash received the first prize, Award of Excellence, from the Asian Film Academy (AFA) and Motion Picture Association (MPA) for his debut feature film-in-development, titled Mariam.
“After being selected for the AFA, we were told that they will be collaborating with the Motion Picture Association of America. So, they invited us to submit our project dossiers for films that we are developing to be shortlisted,” Hamza Bangash told Instep on how he submitted his upcoming project. It is directed and co-written by the filmmaker himself along with his long-term collaborator, Mohammad Ali Hashmi.
“As I was competing with incredible projects from China, Brazil, Taiwan and Thailand, I was just happy that my film got shortlisted.”
He continued, “I never expected to win, in fact it was a dream to win this prize and be able to take my film to Los Angeles. I still can’t believe it. Coming from Pakistan, where we are making films with zero support, and struggling every day, the Asian Film Academy is one of the few places that provide both mentorship and funding.”
In August 2019, the filmmaker and playwright also represented Pakistan at the 72nd edition of Locarno International Film Festival 2019, where he attended the Locarno Filmmakers Academy.
Talking about his Locarno experience, Hamza shared, “In Locarno, I was the first Pakistani director to attend the lab – and I had the opportunity to meet with the leading figures of contemporary cinema, as well as the next generation of world cinema. I got to speak to Bong Joon-Ho, the director of Parasite, the film that won the top award at Cannes this year. It was surreal, invigorating and inspiring.”
On whether his debut feature film, Mariam, was part of the festival, he stated, “Mariam was selected for the Locarno Open Doors Lab in 2018. We were able to workshop the screenplay under the tutelage of Berlinale Talent 2014, Rachel Mathews. We learned about international markets, and how to position our film for co-productions. It was hugely insightful.”
“As far as the experience is concerned, it was incredible and unique,” he recounted, “In fact, I want more Pakistanis to have this experience. At BIFF, some of the most exciting young filmmakers from Asia came together to create a short film.”
Hamza expressed that Pakistani cinema will only grow when we have a greater awareness of the global industry. “I hope I can encourage future Pakistani filmmakers to apply. I know I am now a better filmmaker from these incredibly rewarding experiences.”
Hamza explained that he is going to Los Angeles to focus on getting a US co-producer for the film on board and hopefully, an international sales agent. “I know it’s going to be an uphill journey to complete Mariam, but now with the support of Open Doors Locarno, Asian Film Academy and Busan Film Festival, I am confident that we are on our way. I think Mariam has global potential and we want to ensure we have the connections to take us to the international market,” he said.
According to Hamza, most Pakistani films don’t really travel abroad outside of limited release in heavily populated South Asian areas or in South Asian film festivals.
“I believe Mariam falls more into the bracket of world cinema, and I am excited to create a film that has a more universal appeal. After all, who doesn’t love a good scary story?” he asserted.
When asked about the release of the feature film, Hamza revealed that he is currently in the process of developing Mariam. “The film is not complete yet, and at the moment I’m working on the second draft of the script to share with my producers. I know how important a first feature is and I want to make sure I tell the strongest possible story. I don’t want to rush the process,” he noted.
Referring to Locarno Open Doors Lab 2018, the writer-director said that it’s already been a little over a year since he’s been working on Mariam’s story. However, the biggest hurdle is financial constraints. He furthered, “We are still raising funds to take the film into production. There is no money for independent cinema in Pakistan, and we are in the process of applying for international grants and looking for co-producers abroad. It’s a long journey. But I know we’ll get there. We hope to release the film by 2021.”
Speaking about the story, Hamza said, “Mariam, is inspired by my short film Dia (2018), which sheds light on mental illness, and this film will also have theme(s) of mental illness. Having said that, we are trying to broaden the scope of the film; it will speak to the burgeoning women’s rights movement in Pakistan (Aurat March). It will also highlight sexuality, fear and desire. It goes deep into the psychology of being young and in love in Pakistan. It is, and can be, terrifying.”
Mariam is set in Karachi and follows the story of a young woman named Mariam, essayed by Nida Khan, who also played the lead in Hamza’s short film Dia. “After a fatal accident claims the life of her secret boyfriend, Mariam is haunted by unresolved grief.”
As for his upcoming projects, Hamza shared, “Besides working on my feature film, I am collaborating on a short film, called Lenny, with Cannes L’Atelier producer, Abid Merchant and Rashid Maqsood Hamidi of Mansfield films. The short is about a Christian rock-star in 1978 Pakistan, and how his life turns upside down by Islamization.
“Then there is another short film – an intimate family drama about autism and the stigma attached to it – with Mina Husain and Taskeen. The film stars Mohammad Ali Hashmi and we are working to find an autistic actress to play the co-lead. I have a busy few months ahead of me, but am blessed to be doing what I love in a country that always inspires me. Pakistan has so many stories that need to be told, and I am lucky to be working in Pakistani cinema.”
As for whether Mariam is competing in other international film festivals, Hamza revealed, on a concluding note that currently they are applying to other international labs and funds. “I can’t announce the specifics as yet, but we hope to have good news to share, very soon.”
