The Cannes film festival is right around the corner and it seems like Pakistani films are included in the celebration of works cinema. The two films, one a short, and one a feature, both feature feminist themes.
Wakhri
A few Pakistani Cinema enthusiasts may remember Iram Parveen Bilal from her Pakistani cinema debut, “Josh“, starring Aamina Sheikh releases back in 2013. Iram now will be representing Pakistan at Cannes at the 15th Cinefondation’s Atelier program. The program is meant to encourage financing for international directors. According to Iram, the program has had a 93% success rate, so her hopes are high.
As for the feature that she’ll be presenting, it’s called “Wakhri”, and was discovered at the Open Doors section at the Locarno Festival. It follows a female maths teacher who strives for girls’ education. Wakhri is the Avatar she creates to encourage them.
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Rani
The short film is written and directed by Hammad Rizvi and produced by Akbar Allana and Sara Siddiqi. It stars Kami Sid, a transgender model from Pakistan. Kami stars as a transgender toy vendor who decides to adopt an abandoned child.
The film has already won acclaim from international festivals like the Special Jury Award from the Los Angeles Pacific Film Festival and the Narrative Short Award at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. Now the short is headed to the Short Film corner at Cannes.
