A number of countries have been submitting films for Oscar consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film category every year since 1956.
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A number of countries have been submitting films for Oscar consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film category every year since 1956. Pakistan sent its first film ‘Jago Hua Savera’ in 1958, and its second movie ‘Ghunghat’ in 1963. After a hiatus of 50 years, Pakistan again submitted their third film ‘Zinda Bhaag’ in the year 2013 for the 86th Academy Awards. Apart from these, films like ‘Dukhtar’, ‘Moor’ and ‘Mah-e-Mir’ have also been submitted for Oscar consideration. And the good news is that this year too, Pakistani Academy Selection Committee has selected ‘Saawan’ to be submitted for Oscar consideration in the ‘Foreign Language Film Award’ category at the 90th Academy Awards.
Besides this, ‘Saawan’ has been honoured with the award for Best Film and Best Soundtrack at Salento International Film Festival 2017 in Italy earlier this month. Previously the film won two awards - for Best Film and Best Director - at the Social World Film Festival 2017 and was honoured with Best Foreign Language Feature trophy at the Madrid International Film Festival.
Coming to the movie! ‘Saawan’ has been directed by Farhan Alam and written and produced by Mashood Qadri. The plot of the movie is based on a true story of a nine-year-old disabled child (played by Syed Karam Abbas) who lives in a valley in the mountains of Balochistan. The polio-affected boy is rejected and discriminated by his father (Arif Bahalim), is intimidated by the society and is left all alone due to his disability. The film talks about struggle and survival of this child who initially has to deal with feelings of helplessness and rejection.
The movie features Saleem Mairaj, Syed Karam Abbas, Arif Bahalim, Najiba Faiz and Imran Aslam in pivotal roles alongside Tipu Sharif, Hafeez Ali, Sehrish Qadri, Sohail Malik, Shahid Niazmi, Muhammad Abbas, Danial Yunus, Mehek Zulfiqar and Syed Muhammad Ali.
“Saawan is all about bonding human relations in harmony. The entire team extends special thanks to GEO Films, specifically Babar Javed, Rehmat Karim Fazli, Sulaiman Lalani and Irfan Alam for all their efforts and support,” said director Farhan Alam.
With so many Pakistani movies being released this year, it is quite heartening to see that one of our local productions is being recognised at an international platform. We wish team Sawan all the best and hope that it makes to the list of final nominations.
- Iqra Sarfaraz
