Images

Updated 29 Jul, 2017

“These films portray Pakistan as a failed state,” a representative of an intelligence agency said very accusingly to me.

The year was 2015. We were sitting in a sombre room on the premises of the Federal Censor Board in Islamabad, where the intelligence representative, along with his fellow intelligence colleagues, a couple of civil society members, and political party representatives, were pre-screening three documentaries: Hemal Trivedi and Mo Naqvi's Among the Believers, Asef Ali Mohammad's Besieged in Quetta and Doya, a thesis film by NCA’s Kashif Raza Toori about spiritual rituals in FATA.

These documentaries were supposed to feature at the 2nd annual FACE Film Festival in Islamabad in that year, of which I was the director and programmer.

Our venue, the PNCA, told us that we had to get the No Objection Certificates (NOC) issued for all the movies and documentaries.

This was when I came in contact with the Censor Board, and the whole experience opened my eyes to the mind-numbing banalities of censorship in Pakistan.

This was the second screening; on the first occasion, the board had refused to issue the NOCs for Among the Believers and Besieged in Quetta. For Doya, we were asked to cut some scenes that exhibited glass eating practice, a request that the filmmaker very rightly rejected.

I filed an appeal after the initial screening, and the board’s chairman agreed to arrange a second screening with different referees. To me, he continued to express his support for these films and promised to help us. I was allowed to meet the new judges and discuss the issues they had with the films.

But as soon as I walked in for the second screening, the people in the room looked at me like I was the devil herself. Once the proceedings commenced, the chairman, who had previously expressed his support, began attacking the films.

All the films were labeled ‘anti-state’. The main objection against Besieged in Quetta was that it did not discuss “who was actually behind the violence against Hazaras,” namely everyone’s favourite scapegoats in Pakistan, “India and Israel”.

It was lost on the reviewers that this film avoids going into the politics directly and only details the suffering of a people.

"All my arguments fell on deaf ears. When I finally let the words ‘freedom of speech’ escape my mouth, the board laughed in my face."

Their problem with Among the Believers — a film that had been screened across the world and won numerous awards — was equally infuriating.

It posits a rather uncontroversial thesis: young children in Pakistan are enrolled in madrassahs, where they are provided with food and shelter, due to the very simple reasons of poverty and state neglect. It also features Lal Masjid cleric Abdul Aziz.

The film only tells what everyone in the country already knows, but for the gentlemen in the room, not only was it ‘distorting’ Pakistan’s image, but that Lal Masjid was also a ‘dead issue’.

All my arguments fell on deaf ears. When I finally let the words ‘freedom of speech’ escape my mouth, the board laughed in my face. The fact is that the room was lost to me even before I entered it.

Among the Believers, a documentary on the Lal Masjid network of madarassahs across Pakistan, was banned in late April last year in the country.
Among the Believers, a documentary on the Lal Masjid network of madarassahs across Pakistan, was banned in late April last year in the country.

Among the Believers is now on Netflix and anyone with a subscription in Pakistan can watch. What we lost out on was what film festivals are meant to provide: an opportunity to engage with films and filmmakers as a community and a chance for a more diverse set of people (our festival audience comprised many students from local universities and colleges) to come together in discussion about how we can correct our failings.

One year later, the same chairman was invited to Atiqa Odho's film conference in Karachi to participate in a panel discussion about the role of the Censor Board in our industry.

As most panel discussions go, it was an inane set of exclamations from all those involved. The chairman notably made multiple claims of how liberal his office was and how eager he was to help and work with filmmakers.

Needless to say, during the discussion I was vocal against him and his office. When I met him outside that hall, he seemed to be very upset but said that in his heart he knew I was right.

He pleaded innocence since, according to him, his hands were tied. All orders came from "upstairs." I asked him why he couldn't then sit on that stage and be honest. He had no answer.

This blog is part of a series of articles on young Pakistani filmmakers, run collaboratively by Images and Dawn blogs. The aim of the series is to explore the dynamics of the country’s film industry from the standpoint of upcoming filmmakers. Read the first part here.


The views expressed by this writer and commenters below do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.

Comments

El Cid May 02, 2017 11:30am
Projecting negative portrayals of Pakistan on international platforms is guaranteed to get you accolades, Oscars and a Noble Prize.
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Zayne May 02, 2017 12:20pm
I thought the Indian censors were hypocritical and fickle, but comparing this makes India look like the Swiss. Untill the majority public opens their minds and starts to really think for themselves, nothing will change in Pakistan. Education is the key..which unfortunately runs on agendas..vicious circle. Kudos to the Director for standing up!
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Mushtaq May 02, 2017 12:30pm
We the Pakistanis very well the dark side of our society. We live with it everyday. The world knows it too well. Why these outstanding intellectuals don make something more creative and attractive to raise the morals and spirits of this God foresaken nation. Is it that we have too many bad things around us and nothing a single positive happening.! A good topic perhaps how we still survive through this morbid environment and with what joy. Come on take up this challenge. Dont just keep pleasing the west for few awards.
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Raza May 02, 2017 12:39pm
truth hurts
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M. Emad May 02, 2017 01:21pm
In 1960's and early-70s, Bengali films critical of central government policies were blocked by the Pakistan censor board.
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Haroon May 02, 2017 01:22pm
Strength be with you and all those who support more openness, inclusion, and acceptance in this land of the pure.
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Parvez May 02, 2017 01:43pm
The narrative created during the Zia era still persists......because although after its objectives were achieved no one bothered to dismantle the narrative........a major mistake by the state. In my view the thinking was that we can manage the religious right and use them when needed.....another mistake for which we are suffering.
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irfan uk May 02, 2017 02:12pm
Every country has censor boards and no film producers are happy with them so tough luck. Anyway its high time you guys showed a positive image of Pakistan. Do you guys wonder why you always get awards for making documentaries where you show the negatives of Pakistan society? Its not because the documentaries are so high class. ......
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Asif May 02, 2017 02:37pm
You don't need to show negatives of the society to grab medals. Why not show something positive? Is there nothing going on in here which can be shown in a lighter way?
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Ali S May 02, 2017 03:19pm
@El Cid Because it's true and that's how the outside world views Pakistan, mostly for justifiable reasons.
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Yawar May 02, 2017 07:03pm
There is a difference between what I perceive as truth and what are facts. Truth for me is what I am told, taught and made or want to perceive. It forms the basis of my opinions. Whereas facts are how it is. However, if I, or film producers, or the censor board or the political powers above them, are to grow and be a better persons, it is necessary for us to distinguish between facts and perceived truths. We can choose to be a closed society like the few radical communist countries of today. Or collectively, we can try and set aside our truths and opinions in lieu of the facts even if it hurts.
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Amir iqbal May 02, 2017 07:12pm
Pakistani authorities routinely censor & hide any & every documentary which unveils the truth which the authorities do not want ordinary Pakistanis to ever witness.
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JK May 03, 2017 02:03am
No. They `don't.
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SQ May 03, 2017 02:33am
Among the Believers is finally on netflix. That's great news Ive been wanting to watch this for a long time
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Rao May 03, 2017 05:18am
@M. Emad ...and when Bangladesh became a nation, artists, mostly Bengalis, left the Pakistani film industry and it died over the years
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MSTAREEN May 03, 2017 08:12am
If you are not the part of solution, you are the part of problem. If you only highlight the problem and do not highlight the cause of the problem, you are still the part of problem. The board was right to ask to mention the reasons behind hazar tragedy. It was not sectarian, it was only geopolitical.
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tariq May 03, 2017 08:15am
@irfan uk :positive what?
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tariq May 03, 2017 08:16am
@Asif : Such as?
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tariq May 03, 2017 09:31am
@El Cid - Face the truth.....sooner is better.
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Afnan May 03, 2017 12:41pm
For all those who keep retorting with positive image jibes, look around you. These things are happening in Pakistan. Turning a blind eye towards them doesn't stop them. You are not only not raising your own voice against these vices but also suppressing any voice which dares to speak up. We need to show people what is happening in the country so that we can do something to stop them. Poor Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and Malala Yousafzai are ostracized because they dare to raise their voices on international platforms. I say more power to them and to all of the positive image slogan bearers, do something positive by stopping these activities so that positive image can be shown.
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First Chapter May 03, 2017 04:06pm
@Asif You could have listed the positives. All of us are eager to read the list. Note hype like CPEC do not count. The only positive thing we see is that all of us Pakistanis have not been afflicted by depression to commit collective suicide yet.
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mohammad H Khan May 03, 2017 04:35pm
As long as we keep our innocence and ignorance aside, and expose our self to dangerous situations, and understand the deeper secrets of life.. nothing will ever change. It takes courage to grow up and become who we really are..
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sohaib May 04, 2017 12:56am
Problem is you CONSTANTLY want to show problems, never solutions. Have you ever seen Batman Begins or Gotham? They do not show the US in a positive light BUT they have solutions. Same for In Persuit of Happiness, Pirates of the Silicon Valley, etc. Before you try to imitate the west in how they cover their countries, learn from them.
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Chris Roberts May 04, 2017 09:41am
Film is an art form that can be a very powerful social commentary which has the potential to generate dialogue leading to action on numerous issues. This seems to be at odds with the censor board's mission. These filmmakers should be getting all the accolades from their own country for all their hard work.
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anon May 04, 2017 10:18am
@El Cid So rght you are. Otherwise Pakistan is a paradise.
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anon May 04, 2017 10:19am
@Ali S 'upstairs"
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MFK May 04, 2017 10:29pm
Lets believe her and not even ask to those who are never given a chance to explain their standing
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zubaida Khan May 07, 2017 09:34am
@El Cid The truth is bitter. But its the truth. Censors have no place in a modern democratic society. The Oscars are also given for undermining US government and its politicians. You will be surprised to know that the Oscars are a US award, given by Americans. Freedom of speech cannot be scapegoated to the altar of the State.
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Rehna Jul 29, 2017 01:16pm
Surely Pakistan can handle criticism
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Ahmed Jul 29, 2017 02:06pm
@Mushtaq You appear to be so indifferent to the plight of people in Pakistan. Please tell me, sir, how many times you have heard or seen the plight of people brought to light in our films and new media? We hear about violence one day and then we forget about the victims, unless of course, they belong to constituencies of some influential politician, businessman or vaderas. Another question: Can you tell me what good is happening in Pakistan?
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NK Jul 29, 2017 02:06pm
@El Cid "Projecting negative portrayals of Pakistan on international platforms is guaranteed to get you accolades, Oscars and a Noble Prize." Many western tourists visiting poor countries take photos/videos of poor people and post it on social media. Surely this does not improve the image of those countries. However, your policies can't be based on what others think. It should be based on what is needed by the society. Otherwise you will never be able to improve the situation and complain for ever about the country's image.
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jahan Jul 29, 2017 08:26pm
@El Cid You mean actual and honest portrayals right.
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Javed Jul 30, 2017 05:13pm
We are true patriots. We love see Abdul Aziz being facilitated, working in heart of Islamabad, preparing thousands of youth for jehad. Down with the people tarnishing image of Pakistan through media.
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Ahmad Jul 31, 2017 06:29am
@Ali S not because it's true, but because they have prejudice
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Akil Akhtar Jul 31, 2017 10:28am
Good work censor board as some of our citizens do not have any shame in regurgitating indian and western propaganda....under the guise of freedom of speech
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MALANG Jul 31, 2017 10:56am
deep state.
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Saint Mercury Jul 31, 2017 09:21pm
The whole country is in a state of denial. The truth is bitter and painful.
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Ibneadam Aug 01, 2017 03:25pm
Instead of focusing on the issues that west want to see these filmmakers can do service to society by making films to raise awareness about issues that are directly connected to our lives.
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Asif Paracha Aug 02, 2017 10:14am
These truths are dark and hard to digest
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Shaheen A. Aug 02, 2017 01:06pm
what is wrong about showing the reality, as it exists? failed state or whatever- acceptance is the first step towards fixing a problem. Denial is closing your eyes to the truth
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Nasir Sayani Aug 02, 2017 07:53pm
It is a very challenging in Pakistan to speak the truth or show the true mirror, our administration under military and civil authority has a narrative derived from being an Islamic Republic, all of the non Muslims are our enemies, and anything wrong happens in Pakistan is external forces. Therefore, we will never see and recognize the real enemy, we will never accept the fact the Lal masjid was an act of Islamist terror happened during the dictatorship of Musharaf which makes it completely null and void. As long as we in Pakistan behave in such a manner future seems extremely bleak.
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Nasir Sayani Aug 02, 2017 07:57pm
@Mushtaq Just so that you know, it is not what we know is being talked about here is how we can bring an awareness to the populous, how we can change what we see happens, what we feel happens, the people who make this a Western agenda are the ones needs to open their eyes, this is not a Western agenda this is about Pakistan, for Pakistan please open your eyes.
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pathanoo Aug 03, 2017 01:25am
You expect some one in power who could loose his job for doing the right hting to be HONEST? REALLY? You seem to forget you are living in Pakistan.
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pathanoo Aug 03, 2017 01:26am
@M. Emad AND, GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?
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