The low-budget
independent horror thriller Siyaah, which is scheduled for a nationwide release
on March 15, deals with the themes of black magic and exorcism.
The film’s director
Azfar Jafri, a self-taught film-maker based in Islamabad, joined the project
after producer Imran Raza Kazmi tried out several screenwriters and directors.
“I am not a horror film
director or anything,” says Jafri. “We don’t how the critics or masses will
take the film, but the way we have treated the film should make it as different
as possible.”
Producer Kazmi, who has
limited experience with film, also seems unperturbed by the odds of making a
horror film for a Pakistani audience. “After I saw Omar Khan’s Zibahkhana, it
really got me thinking; if one person can make a good quality film, then we can
too,” says Kazmi. The process hasn’t been easy, since he has changed three
screen writers and put in several months of research regarding the film’s
themes. “My goal was to create something different to show another side to
Pakistani film-making,” Kazmi adds. “It is different from Zibahkhana and horror
films from the ‘60s and ‘70s. It has suspense and drama — we have tried to
create a balance of all the perfect ingredients.”
The film includes
several actors from the local circuit in Islamabad, such as Hareem Farooq, Qazi
Jabbar, Mahnoor Usman, Ahmed Ali Akbar, Aslam Rana, Sofia Wanchoo Mir, Rizwana,
Sarwar Salimi and Amy Saleh. Owner of Living Picture Productions Osman Khalid
Butt has written the screenplay.
“The people we have
chosen were already in the theatrical scene; they knew that Kazmi could pull it
off and we could produce something really good,” says Jafri. Speaking about the
low profile and publicity the film has maintained, Jafri explains that the team
has been focusing on ensuring that the film is completed before speaking to the
media. “It is a negative reflection on your credibility when you start talking
about a film and it turns out to be different.”
On the bright side
While audiences should
hold their breath for what the film-makers promise will be a different
experience, Siyaah could also be a breakthrough Pakistan’s film industry.
Films with smaller
budgets usually find it difficult to reach cinemas because of distribution
problems, but Siyaah seems to have been lucky. “I know of several films that
are ready in Pakistan but don’t find distribution,” says Kazmi. Fortunately,
the horror flick has secured major distribution thanks to Cinepax Cinema, whose
parent company is Footprint Entertainment. “This was the best way to get our
film to theatres,” explains Kazmi.
Marketing manager of
Cinepax Limited Mohsin Yaseen explains that while Footprint Entertainment has
been involved in the distribution of films from major companies such as
Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks, over the last few years
the company has spearheaded the resurgence of local cinema in Pakistan by
making it a priority to support local films.
Yaseen explains that
even after securing distribution, future of local films depends on the content.
Film-makers will have to be creative and get away from old and worn-out themes
which intelligent and aware audiences do not appreciate.
“People don’t want to
see dancing in the fields or things of that nature,” says Yaseen. “The audience
is much more sophisticated and comes prepared to watch a film after looking at
trailers and reading reviews. We think that Siyaah provides that content.”
Published in The
Express Tribune, January 29th, 2013.
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