‘The Glassworker’ and ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ Dominate the 3rd Pakistani Cinema Awards

The year of silent experiments in Pakistani cinema produced a few gems that will probably be marked as milestones, and one that will be marked as a breakthrough. Here are the winners of the 3^rd Pakistani Cinema Awards:

Best Film: The Glassworker

There is no contest here. ‘The Glassworker’ broke new ground for Pakistani Cinema as the first 2D animated film in its history. The film is about the fragility of life, art, and the destruction that war brings to all of it. With poignant execution and a sensitivity oft not found in films in general, it’s the obvious choice for Best Film.

Best Director: Nabeel Qureshi (Na Baligh Afraad)

Nabeel Qureshi’s ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ is a return to form as well as a call back to the ‘Na Maloom Afraad’ days. Without any detours or diversions, this film kept on point, and should be a template for Pakistan’s filmmakers to follow. A no nonsense, 90 minute comedy that was a great time at the theater. For this focus and execution, he gets the Best Director trophy.

Best Actor in Lead Role (Male): Aashir Wajahat (Na Baligh Afraad)

Aashir Wajahat’s performance in the lead in ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ was made all the more memorable due to his chemistry with Samar Jafri. The lad has a bright future ahead of him if he keeps choosing scripts like these. He takes home the Best Actor award.

Best Actor in Lead Role (Female): Faryal Mehmood (Wakhri)

Faryal Mehmood’s Wakhri was the standout female performance of the year. ‘Wakhri’ required her to be seething, seductive, and somber; sometimes all in the same scene. And she made it look easy. She’s the Best Actress of the year hands down.

Best Actor in Supporting Role (Male): Fawad Ahmed Khan (Nayab)

If one actor stole the show in ‘Nayab’, it was Fawad Ahmed Khan. His nuanced performance as the caring older brother and mentor who often looks back at what could’ve been, demonstrated his caliber as a grade A talent. He sweeps up the Best Supporting Actor (Male) award.

Best Actor in Supporting Role (Female): Mehr Bano (Taxali Gate)

Mehr Bano’s international debut in ‘Churails’ showed that she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. In ‘Taxali Gate’ she played the role of an oppressed minority coping with the worst injustice. Her abandon, and at the same time, restraint, brought a realness to the role. She get the Best Supporting Actor (Female) accolade.

Best Music: The Glassworker (Carmine DiFlorio and Usman Riaz)

Usman Riaz, being a man of many talents, also composed the soundtrack to ‘The Glassworker’. Along with his colleague Carmine DiFlorio, he created a soundtrack with sonorous violins echoing as the ground quakes beneath the weight of war. There is perhaps no greater metaphor for the fragility of life. They get the honour of Best Music this year.

Best Playback Singer (Male): Samar Jafri (Aaja Chal Jhoomain : Daghabaaz Dil)

Samar Jafri’s light vocals and clear diction gave this romantic number the depth that elevated ‘Daghabaaz Dil’. He earns the Best Playback (Male) win.

Best Playback Singer (Female): Eva B (“Baaghi” from “Wakhri”)

Eva B’s electric performance in “Baaghi” is the highlight of the ‘Wakhri’ soundtrack. The anthem of the film, it boosts Faryal Mehmood’s performance as the titular character. She steals the show and the Best Playback (Female) prize.

Best Lyrics: Tauqeer Bhinder for “Aakhir Jind Hai Apni” (Taxali Gate)

Once you listen to “Aakhri Jind Hai Apni”, it’s a clear throwback to the classical and Qawwali tradition of yesteryears. It’s the kind of complete song you wish you could hear every day on the radio. Ali Allahditta’s fine composition and Tauqeer Bhinder’s lyrics tell the story of ‘Taxali Gate’ in 4 minutes. And that’s what great art does, it encompasses what we struggle to put into words.

Best Story: The Glassworker

‘The Glassworker’ tells the story of a town known for its beauty and art, shaken by war as its inhabitants struggle to hold on to that beauty. It’s the kind of plot that is never touched or spoken about in Pakistan save for literature and old novels. Yes, Usman Riaz invokes Miyazaki and Makoto Shinkai more than Ashfaq Ahmed and Shaukat Siddiqui, but the sentiment is much the same. For tugging at our heartstrings and plucking them with his violin, ‘The Glassworker’ bags Best Story.

Best Screenplay: The Glassworker

A glass shop, a concert hall, a beautiful seaside, and majestic mountainside, all come together to set the scene for ‘The Glassworker’. The screenplay interweaves war, Jinns, destruction and creativity, and innocence and tragedy spectacularly well. The message could’ve gotten lost very easily due to a busy screenplay that juggles too much. But Usman Riaz’s steady hand guided everything to a bittersweet ending. Best Screenplay goes to ‘The Glassworker’.

Best Dialogues: Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi for ‘Na Baligh Afraad’

For a film that fully cashes in the nostalgia of Karachi in the 90s, ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ doesn’t waste any time in self indulgence. There is no fat on this screenplay or dialogue. The creepy rainbow center shopkeepers, wedding video makers, sleazy teachers, and lazy police inspectors are all incorporated into the story without long winded speeches or unnecessary character introductions. ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ is a case study on how to do dialogue right. Fizza and Nabeel strike all the right chords here.

Best Editing: Asif Mumtaz for ‘Na Baligh Afraad’

As with a tight screenplay and short dialogues, the edit of ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ should be studied. Without any lulls or slowdowns, the story keeps moving and so does the camera. Aside from one or two scenes which could’ve been trimmed, the film is a masterclass in Editing. Bravo Asif Mumtaz. Edit all other Pakistani films from now on please.

Best Cinematography: Ludovica Isidori for ‘Wakhri’

‘Wakhri’ was the best looking film of the year without a doubt. Ludovica Isidori has a talent for lighting the nights of Karachi, whether they’re spent in the elite nightclubs, or in snug apartments. Even in the daylight, she was able to do justice to the chaos and loneliness of Karachi in every scene as required. She bags Best Cinematography for ‘Wakhri’.

Best Sound Design: The Glassworker

Sound is often one of the weakest aspects of any Pakistani film. The fact that ‘The Glassworker’ was able to nail that aspect so well is incredible, especially with the orchestral and instrumental scenes. The entire sound department of ‘The Glassworker’ deserves applause. They nailed the Sound Design.

Best Production Design: Na Baligh Afraad

‘Na Baligh Afraad’ takes the Best Product Design award by a mile due to its detailing. Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi created an authentic Karachi from the 90s by paying close attention to set design, location shoots, and costume design. Every single frame transported you to 30 years ago.

Special Mention: Umro Ayyar: The New Beginning

‘Umro Ayyar: The New Beginning’ gets our special mention or delivering incredible special effects never before seen in Pakistani cinema. The look of the Ayyar castle, the battle scenes, and the appearance of the demonic forces commanded by Laqaa Baakhtar all broke new ground for Pakistani cinema.