The 8th Vasakh documentary film festival kicked off on 29 May in Lahore, lasting two days and showcasing a series of international documentaries on the themes of peace, tolerance and cultural heritage. The event was organized by the Interactive Resource Centre (IRC) in collaboration with Umeed Jawan, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the Fund for Global Human Rights.
In addition to showcasing the work of local filmmakers – particularly students from the National College of Arts, Islamia University Bahawalpur and Bahauddin Zakaria University in Multan – Vasakh also screened films from the National Institute of Design in Ahmadabad, India, the Festival of Southasian Documentaries in Nepal and the Cinemada Mare film festival in Italy.
The organizers of the event say that the festival gives them an opportunity to create alternative narratives of the country against extremism by showcasing and encouraging a discourse that critically examines Pakistan’s current problems. A total of 22 documentary shorts were screened, which covered a range of issues from sexual harassment and sectarian violence to minority rights, disability rights and cultural identity. Almost all the films screened at the festival triggered strong reactions from the audience and lively debate.
'Sagar Manav' by filmmaker Tanumoy Bose
One film's counter-narrative to sectarian violence is to document successful inter-sect marriages
A short documentary on sexual harassment by Risham Waseem, titled Mur Mur Kay Na Daikh created quite a stir among the audience. The film and the discussion that followed addressed the hypocrisy with which we as Pakistanis confront (or choose not to) gender discrimination. Another film that created a buzz was Anjaan Rastay by NCA graduate Umair Ahmad Khawaja. The film looked at how the local government of Lahore has been changing the names of well-known roads, junctions and buildings to more orthodox Islamic names, without any consideration for their historical and cultural background. The documentary presents this as an identity crisis, reflecting the clouded narratives that have crept into Pakistan.
A major theme of the festival was equal citizenship. A documentary film titled Shaheedo Tum Kahan Ho presented the voices of the Shia community, which is increasingly subjected to violence and target killings in Pakistan. The film’s counter-narrative to sectarian violence is to document successful inter-sect marriages and to highlight the peace and tolerance promoted by the country’s Sufi culture. The presence of several cast members added a grim reality to the topic of the film.
The panorama of 'Anjaan Rastay'
Another particularly moving film was Zahida, a collaborative project between Bahauddin Zaakria University students and the IRC media team. The film tells the story of a remarkable young woman, the eponymous Zahida, who was paralyzed after being diagnosed with polio at the age of 11. What made the film interesting was how the main character was handled. Rather than portraying Zahida as a ‘victim’, it focused on her efforts to create awareness regarding polio and to advocate for disability rights.
The festival also gave the audience a chance to watch several international documentaries. Submitted by students at the National Institute of Design in Ahmadabad, Sagar Manav by Tanumoy Bose is the story of a lighthouse attendant in Samiyani – a small island in the Gulf of Kutch. The slow-paced but beautifully shot film was an instant favourite, with its imagery focusing on the absurdities of life. Goonj by Madhuri Ravishankar was a subtle, intimate portrait of Zuvaria, a five-year-old girl with a hearing impairment who tries to understand the world around her.
A still from the film 'Shaheedo Tum Kahan Ho'
Perhaps, like the festival's motto for this year, narratives can make a difference
What set the films apart was that, no matter how serious the problems they highlighted, they all ended on an optimistic note. The discussions that followed reflected this: young people’s desire to understand these issues and work collectively towards a more peaceful and successful Pakistan. University students in particular said they were delighted to have a platform that offered exposure to such content and allowed them to openly discuss their thoughts and ideas in a safe and nurturing environment. The event itself had a welcoming informal vibe, which encouraged individuals to participate in the discussions that followed each screening. Perhaps, like the festival’s motto for this year, narratives can make a difference after all.
