With Bol, Khuda Kay
Liye and the recent Josh, our audience has seen an array of films on the
injustice, corruption and moral conundrums that prevail in our society. These
storylines have struck a chord with movie buffs as well as ordinary people as
we can all relate to these issues on some level. In a similar vein,
Norway-based Shehzad Ghafoor hopes to bring action-thriller The System — a
movie that portrays how corruption affects the common man. The film’s shooting
commenced about a week ago.
“A lot of films
have been made in Lahore, so we are hoping to give these spaces different
treatment,” says director Ghafoor, explaining how a scene was shot on top of
the famed Panorama parking plaza on Mall Road along with other locations in
order to provide a different viewpoint of the city. The System will be
Ghafoor’s debut in feature films.
The first scene of
the movie illustrates the film’s lead actor Shiraz Ghafoor (director’s brother)
on the roof of the plaza, conducting a meet-up with the city’s mafia bosses.
The huddle has been arranged by a corrupt senior police official played by
Shafqat Cheema. “This location is unexposed and from the top of the plaza, you
are able to get some top-shots — you get a feeling that you’re sitting on top
of Lahore,” Ghafoor explains.
The System is all
about changing the norms and clichés of the film industry — it’s what Lollywood
stalwarts say will change the stigma around the dying business. The film gained
attention as veteran director-cinematographer Syed Faisal Bukhari signed on as
director of photography. Two songs have already been filmed in Norway and the
team hopes to bring on set the expertise of Bollywood technicians.
Apart from Shiraz
and Cheema, the cast also includes Nadeem Baig, Kashaf Ali (female lead) and a
relatively less known actor Raees Patan. The latter has been a part of around
15 films but with the slight resurgence in the film industry, he admits his
work has doubled. “It’s a nice change,” says Patan, who has normally been
associated with regional films. “I think it’s the first time we have had the
chance to work with the best technology and different storylines and ideas.”
“The time is of
digital films now — we are talking about making films which have global
relevance,” says Cheema, who has also been a part of films like Bol, Chambaili and Main Hoon
Shahid Afridi amongst other upcoming projects. “The time for small films is
over. It’s now time for new talent to be given space. I think people will like
Shiraz as a hero.”
Speaking about his
role in the film, Cheema says the film allows him to explore a different type
of character — one that is both negative and positive at the same time. “One
who can leave his own spirit and get into a character that has been thought out
for him — that is the sign of a good artist,” he explains. “I am playing the role of a Station House
Officer [SHO] who has a strong hold on the whole system. And through this
control, he changes the system.”
Like his previous
performances, Cheema feels the audience will appreciate the kind of role he is
playing in The System, too.
Published in The Express
Tribune, September 23rd, 2013.
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