With the aim to commemorate International Women’s Day, which is observed on March 8 all around the globe, two-time Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has launched a global series.
Titled Fundamental. Gender Justice. No Exceptions, this is the first time an all Pakistani crew has created a global series. Besides, the five-episode international documentary series is also the first to be officially presented and released by YouTube Originals and Refinery29.
The series has been shot and produced by documentary filmmakers from SOC Films, Safyah Zafar Usmani and Shahrukh Waheed and directed by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, in Brazil, Georgia, Kenya, USA and Pakistan. “With this series, SOC Films aims to present and empower the next generation of non-fiction filmmakers in Pakistan,” noted the press statement.
According to Sharmeen Obaid, Fundamental takes us into the lives of gender justice activists around the world who are working to create change at the grassroots level.
The first episode from Pakistan, called Rights Not Roses focuses on ending child, early, and forced marriages in Pakistan and how community leaders are addressing the root causes of the issue.
“The activists you will meet in the series are on the front lines of human rights issues, risking everything, yet they are rarely made visible. Our films provide a better understanding of their struggles and show us an intimate portrait of what it means to be a frontline advocate in today’s volatile world. From Brazil and the United States to Kenya, Pakistan and Georgia, these inspiring activists refuse to accept the status quo, agitating and organizing to create safe spaces and a safer world for other women,” said Sharmeen.
She further went on to say that she hopes that the series will inspire viewers to learn more about these issues, and join the fight for gender justice alongside these incredible activists.
