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Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's 'A Girl in the River' nominated for Oscar

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's 'A Girl in the River' nominated for Oscar

In 2012, Chinoy became the first Pakistani to win an Oscar for her documentary 'Saving Face.'
Updated 14 Jan, 2016

Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy ’s documentary on honour killing, "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness", has been nominated as one of five documentaries from across the globe in the 'Best Documentary – Short' subject category for the 88th Academy Awards.

Chinoy, who previously won Pakistan’s first Academy Award for her documentary 'Saving Face' at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in 2012 described the nomination as an "opportunity for Pakistan to acknowledge honour killing as a problem and address it immediately."

Related: Sharmeen brings Oscar glory to Pakistan

"I am delighted that my documentary has been nominated for an Academy Award. This film and its message is incredibly important to me. This is an opportunity for Pakistan to acknowledge that it has a problem and to address it with urgency because there is no honour in an honour killing. We will send out a strong message that this heinous crime is not a part of our culture or religion,” said Chinoy.

A Girl in the River, which is a joint production of Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy (SOC) Films and Home Box Office (HBO), follows the life of an 18-year-old girl who is a survivor of an honour killing attempt.

Honour killing is a pressing issue in Pakistan as more than a 1,000 women fall prey to this practice each year, usually at the hands of their own family members.

Most women never survive the attack and virtually no one has ever been sent to jail for an honour killings crime. In her case, she eventually had to forgive.

The film was jointly produced by journalist Tina Brown and documentary producer Sheila Nevins.

One of Chinoy's documentaries 'Song of Lahore', in which she shares directorial credits with Andy Shocken, received a standing ovation at Tribeca Film Festival.

She has also won an Emmy award for her documentary 'Children of Taliban'.

Related: Pakistan announces civil award for Chinoy

Comments

AHA Jan 14, 2016 09:28pm
Good luck!
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Tamza Jan 14, 2016 09:33pm
When even Pakistanis dont see anything pisitive to make documentaries about how will others see anything positive about the country. These producers/ directors DO have a role but there should be something anything positive she can make documentary about. I hope there is something. Something positive.
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Free will Jan 14, 2016 09:43pm
Not impressed. Although the issue raised is worth highlighting and needs redress, the reason for nominations and eventual success is not the quality but the 'touchy topic of the east that pleases the west every time its brought to the limelight'. It's just like 'The Hurt Locker' a war film; a hot topic back then, won an Academy Award over 'Avatar' for obvious reasons!!!!!
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calypso Jan 14, 2016 09:50pm
As a Pakistani man I can only say: Listen to the voice of wisdom, the voice of Ms. Chinoy. I am simply proud of you. People like you (in recent years they are mostly women) Keep my hope alive for our Country.
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Fatima Jan 14, 2016 10:01pm
Way to go Sharmeen! . It's high time someone used this platform to bring one of the most important topics in Pakistan to centre stage and for that, you are already a winner! Many congratulations and good luck at the Oscars.
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Zak Jan 14, 2016 10:01pm
Well done Sharmeen. You are the new pakistan rising.
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Ding Dong Jan 14, 2016 10:15pm
Congratts!
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fayza Jan 14, 2016 10:26pm
Way to go Sharmeen...You make us proud!
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Adil Jadoon Jan 14, 2016 10:59pm
Certainly a step in the right direction. Getting our parliament and our people to open their minds will be harder though!
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azkhan71 Jan 14, 2016 11:10pm
Best of luck Sharmeen....Bring OSCARS to Pakistan!!!
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Jibboo Jan 14, 2016 11:12pm
Congratulations! Works of introspection and critical examination of age-old ways should not be construed to be defamatory. There is enough other goody-goody escapist stuff out there--the opium for numbing the conscience of the masses ...
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Hira Jan 14, 2016 11:18pm
Good luck...
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S. A. M. Jan 14, 2016 11:39pm
well done lady
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AdHawk Jan 14, 2016 11:47pm
Good job. Don't pay heed to those who are for killing the messenger.
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Asma Ali Jan 14, 2016 11:51pm
@TAMZA, burying our heads in sand won't help us either. Honor killing is a serious issue in our society which we all should condemn and criticize. If there is something negative in our country then it needs to be addressed. Well done and good luck Sharmeen!!
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Ahmed USA Jan 14, 2016 11:51pm
Congrats... Next time make a documentary on "Political Corruption and Racism" that has plagued Pakistan for last several decades...
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mehkan Jan 14, 2016 11:57pm
Best of luck! I love it when we have individuals in our country who are ready to not just voice their thoughts but execute their ideas as well.. We need more like you Sharmeen! God bless!
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Tahir Khan Jan 15, 2016 12:08am
@Tamza Addressing the worst ills of the society and raising awareness is the best positive you can produce
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amer mahmood Jan 15, 2016 12:10am
Brilliant! I hope it gets shown in Pakistan. A free show at The Pakistan National Assembly and all the regional assemblies....The law must be passed to ban this mad practice!!
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Atti Jan 15, 2016 12:11am
as a growing teenager I am Proud of you Sharmeen.
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Rizwan NY Jan 15, 2016 12:11am
I am fan of her
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najeeb burki Jan 15, 2016 12:12am
@Free will ,you can't hide the truth under the cloak of your explanations.
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dr Jan 15, 2016 12:35am
@Free will agreed
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dr Jan 15, 2016 12:35am
Agreed
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Farooq khan Jan 15, 2016 01:10am
Well done, you are doing a great job
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jami Khan Jan 15, 2016 01:59am
All the best!!
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AXH Jan 15, 2016 02:15am
The scourge of the so-called honor killing is a big problem in Pakistan. Unfortunately, most of those sitting in the parliament do not debate it or openly recognize it as an issue because to some extent they themselves believe in this evil practice and the concept behind it. Those who are suggesting that this movie was nominated because of its touchy topic in the East which (for some reason) pleases the West are forgetting that there were countless movies made on topics like rape (the Accused), Big Bucks, Big Pharma (pharmaceutical industry), etc. We should appreciate good topics regardless of their place of origin.
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calypso Jan 15, 2016 02:19am
@Tamza I am really sorry for the silly question, but what can be positive in killing for "honour"? We should try to realize the truth, instead of disguising it with shadowy arguments. Chinoy is just doing this - showing us the mirror. Ii is her Intention to show us the killer in the mirror. We should see the Horror in our Society without any veils to end it. There are no round-about or short-cuts to this process.
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Sardar Nawaz khan Jan 15, 2016 02:37am
Congratulations Ambassador of silent human being. We are proud of your talent and hard work.
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Sardar Nawaz khan Jan 15, 2016 02:40am
But there are many areas specially in Pakistan and remote parts need to be focused. Great work
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Sardar Nawaz khan Jan 15, 2016 02:42am
Work on "how to wash the feudal system
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Sardar Nawaz khan Jan 15, 2016 02:42am
And feudal mentality
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samina Jan 15, 2016 02:55am
Great, congrats Sharmeen!
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khan Jan 15, 2016 02:59am
sharmeen for prime minister
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Farooq Jawed Jan 15, 2016 03:00am
@Tamza Any suggestions on the subject of positive, for a documentary?
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Akhtar Rashid Jan 15, 2016 04:31am
InshaAllah. You will win the award again.
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Amer Rao Jan 15, 2016 05:22am
Congratulations
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Jawad Jan 15, 2016 05:35am
She is single handedly highlighting the core issues in the country which our shameless government isn't
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Manzoor ahmed Jan 15, 2016 06:24am
I feel sad where we are dumped. Will take years to come out of it. A brave start. Well done shirmeen and her team, God bless you all
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Syed Jan 15, 2016 06:31am
Why showing the negative side. I would suggest its more important to provide solutions to these negative side. West will always support these movies. At least learn something from neighboring country movies.
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Ramshah Jan 15, 2016 08:44am
Hopefully we'll bring this one home too. And I believe Ms. Chinoy didn't bring home the first oscar for Pakistan, it was rather a visual or special effects artist as i recall.
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Fanofall Jan 15, 2016 08:50am
Proud of your work Sharmeen. Keep it up.
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Mehreen Chandan Jan 15, 2016 09:06am
Well done Sharmeen! So proud of you and your body of work. To all the naysayers regarding the topic of the documentary: It takes a mature and civilised nation to look at our faults, rectify them and move forward. I as a Pakistani want to step forward and make this happen by looking at the bad and the many beautiful things in our amazing nation. Let start this by watching the documentary and being proud of Sharmeen.
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Shalone Jan 15, 2016 10:48am
If we want any change in Pakistan she should become our next PM. She will give equal rights to women and create a liberal Pakistan. Free from terrorism and the rule of conservatives and the very rich landlords
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Saqib Malik Jan 15, 2016 11:10am
Chinnoy portrays as the picture pre-requisites. Its blood of our culture the we don't take action in time against Honor killing, acid attack, satti, harassment etc. But as soon as, issue is highlighted then Some PITFALLS stand up to blow up their sleeping patriotic values and strike for their SAVING FACE. However, Chinnoy's each documentary depicts originality within social discrimination-Draconian Laws like honor kiliing. So, if she can pinpoint the loopholes then why not movie watchers may seek its solution at once !!!
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Ali Hassan Jan 15, 2016 11:29am
Unfortunately pakistan is filled with people who despise the success of others ..... This is a a very relevant film at a very relevant time ... We as a nation should rally behind it and not miss this opportunity to get the bill against honor crimes passed through parliament .... Hats off to Sharmeen for crusading on behalf of all of us to make Pakistan a better place .... We are all proud of you !!!
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pk Jan 15, 2016 11:48am
This movie should be presented to our Parliamentarians, so that they would be able to discuss at the Floor of the House.
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Bupi Jan 15, 2016 06:46pm
It take less time to speak truth & she is very well awarded. Wishing her great success in future.
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Bupi Jan 15, 2016 06:50pm
@Tamza It's easy to show Positivity but to highlight any negativity of Society one needs Guts & for Women it's more difficult. God Bless her.
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misbahshaikh Jan 15, 2016 10:34pm
i want to be like youuu lady... congrats
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Surinder Jeet Jan 15, 2016 11:00pm
Sharmeen Obaid is a new breed of social reformers and needs to be supported as she has enough opponents. She is showing a mirror to the society to rid it of its cultural weaknesses. She has focused on some women related issues and is expected to get opposition from the clergy, the orthodox and the religious organisations.
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Nargis nishat Jan 16, 2016 02:39am
If you want to do some thing great for Pakistani women try to ask the parliament to include the compulsory study of DUA E NOOR with translation & explanation in para18 Qur'an . It will change the mind of man and b very help full to make them INSAN . It is a great job if you do it you are really deserve for the greatest award . For this change in education policy and syllabus is requaired . Ok you did good now congratulation , prayer to do the best .
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Nanha Farista Jan 16, 2016 08:13am
Please make the next documentary on sexual abuse of children in Pakistan. We need to bring this out in the open if ever this problem has to be addressed and it needs addressing. Thanks!
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Rabia shoaib Jan 16, 2016 04:52pm
Thank you Shermeen.
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Sachin Jan 17, 2016 09:24am
Respect to Sharmeen. Bravo, good work and good luck. Pakistan and Indian society will see peace only when women are given equal respect and rights. In my eyes, personally, I think of women as way superior to men in all respects. They give birth, care, nurture, love, feed..... And the endurance and tolerance of a woman is something special from God.
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sohail Jan 19, 2016 08:13pm
I hope Sharmeen makes a documentary about passion killings in the west.
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ghinva Raza Jan 20, 2016 11:20am
we love you sharmeen!! Hands Down!! but girll you ought to film a positive documantry,potraying something positive in our extremely beautiful country Pakistan!! & we want to see it to be nominated aswell...mud slinging although all true as well!! getting nominated for an OSCAR..a let down
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