February 08, 2007	Thursday	Muharram 19, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: Patrons, actors and government officials have pledged to revive the collapsed film industry to levels where it can once again become a production house for spectacular Pakistani movies.

This commitment was made at the concluding ceremony of the two-day conference on the revival of the Pakistan film industry.

“We the filmmaking fraternity affirm to improve the quality of films, standard of productions, maintenance of cinemas and studios,” said Chairman Hunerkada, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Jamal Shah.

Tracing the practice of performing arts back to Mehergar 5,000 BC, Mr Shah had stated that this form of expression was deeply rooted into the region’s cultural scene.

“Pakistani cinema was a highly regarded performing art form,” he said.

The conference recommended holding of the national film awards and national film festival in Islamabad every year, and setting up of national film academy. It also proposed establishment of film finance foundation with an initial funding of approximately Rs100 million.

Nationwide exemption of cinema entertainment tax, upgradation of cinemas, creation of digitalised national film archives and provision of facilities to foreigners for shooting their films in Pakistan were some of the other recommendations made by the conference participants.

The present ghastly situation hurt film star Mustafa Qureshi who had given more than 40 years of his life to the industry. “We cannot let it perish like this,” he said.

Terming the revival of cinema a “national goal”, Secretary Ministry of Culture, Saleem Gul Sheikh assured to provide necessary environment to revive this industry of creative arts.

Movies steeped in Pakistani literature had always met with great admiration, said former information minister Javed Jabbar.

“The cinema needs to be treated with new kind of dignity and respect. And it is imperative to preserve the sanctity of the cinema,” he said.

Mr Jabbar said the cinema had strategic value in fighting wars on the media front.

“The British government is subsidising its film industry with pound sterling 1.6 billion. How much is the Pakistan government willing to subsidise?”

Minister of State for Information Tariq Azeem, who was also the chief guest on the occasion, assured all possible support for the uplift of this once enduringly popular entertainment medium.

The conference has also revived hope in the audience that with commitment, the cinema-going trend would come to life.

“Improve the quality and we will return to cinemas,” said a member of the audience. “They just stopped giving us articulate stories and good music,” she said.

Nasir, another member of the audience, said: “There was a time when we had to book tickets a week and sometimes two weeks in advance and there used to be long queues. Cinemas used to be meeting point for the elite. Hopefully I will be able to take my children to a good cinema to watch a good Pakistani movie.”

The two-day conference, organised by Hunderkada, questioned if Pakistani cinema as an institution of art, culture and entertainment had declined to a point of no return? And will it survive and stand on its own feet?.

APP ADDS: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the government will support and provide funds for the establishment of a film academy in Lahore.

He was talking to a film industry delegation, comprising directors, producers and actors, that called on him at the Prime Minister’s House.

Mr Aziz said since the film industry reflected the country’s culture and tradition, the government wanted to help it get back on its own feet.

He said the government would also help the industry by holding and arranging film festivals and film awards.

He said a new trend of ‘Cineplex’ (mini screen cinemas at shopping malls) was on the rise in various countries, adding that such cineplexes were also under-construction in Pakistan, one in Karachi and two in Rawalpindi.

The prime minister said the establishment of such mini- screen cinemas, having 100-150 seats, would help revive the industry. But the industry people will have to focus on the standard and quality of the content and design their product for today’s market, he added.

He said improvement in standard, quality and content of the films would attract investors to this field.

Mr Aziz, however, maintained that the films, with focus on entertainment must be reflective of the overall culture and traditions of the country and society.