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Zindagi Tamasha is Pakistan’s official Oscars entry

Zindagi Tamasha is Pakistan’s official Oscars entry

A little sad that it’s a movie Pakistanis haven’t gotten to watch yet
30 Nov, 2020

Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha has been through the ringer but hey, there’s a silver lining.

The movie is all set to be submitted for Oscar consideration in the International Feature Film Award category for the 93rd Academy Awards, final nominees for which will be announced in February 2021.

This year’s Oscar committee was chaired by filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and includes Faisal Kapadia, Asad-ul-Haq, Hamza Bangash, Syed Muhammad Ahmed, Mehwish Hayat, Hasan Shehreyar Yasin, Asim Abbasi, Arshad Mahmud and Jamal Shah. 

Directed and co-produced by Sarmad Khoosat and Kanwal Khoosat and written by Nirmal Bano, Zindagi Tamasha’s cast includes Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz and Ali Kureshi.

According to the official synopsis, "the film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

Everything said, it's a little sad how it's a movie Pakistanis themselves haven't gotten to watch yet. Zindagi Tamasha was slated to be 2020's first Pakistani film release, meant to hit cinemas on January 24. However, it has been stopped from being released, despite being cleared by multiple censor boards twice and it's fate still hangs in the balance.

Speaking about the selection, producer Kanwal shared, “The announcement surely proves that we in Pakistan are ready to tell stories close to the heart. We are ready to represent our people. I cannot stop feeling proud of my team. We have worked countless hours to tell a truly Pakistani story. Many thanks to the committee for recognising our efforts and acknowledging our film."

“All the heartache that Zindagi Tamasha gave me has somehow restored my faith in the power of art too: the sheer, almost physical power of art to make life imitate it. This announcement, for me, is a very bright light shining at the end of this dark tunnel of a year. I made this film in Pakistan and foremost, for Pakistan, for my people and the misfortune that my people have remained deprived of it weighs quite heavy on my artistic conscience.

Some pride is slowly kicking in though and no matter how far we go with this official selection, Zindagi Tamasha will be representing all of us - our ‘Pakistan’. I feel honoured on behalf of my entire team and I am extremely grateful to the committee for finding it worthy enough.” said director Sarmad.

Comments

Sshah Nov 30, 2020 01:58pm
Heartbreaking that we cannot enjoy the film.
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Taimur Nov 30, 2020 02:05pm
Peak of hypocrisy
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Mir Nov 30, 2020 02:12pm
Indeed a politically correct film!
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Shah Nov 30, 2020 04:26pm
Western heard and minds love to see how poor the Asian cultures are and Pakistanis have mastered the art of showing them exactly that. I see it all the time, even among second and third generation Pakistani-Europeans.
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Chrís Dăn Nov 30, 2020 06:54pm
I am very proud to hear it.
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NK Nov 30, 2020 08:47pm
Variety, one of the top US media magazine that covers film and TV has reported this entry for Oscars
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ambreen Nov 30, 2020 10:20pm
Weird that it has not be released but selected for Oscar nomination!
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Glen D'Abreo Dec 01, 2020 04:41am
Why are Pakistanis afraid of any film that depicts social evils ? no country can claim it does not have social evils. To tell it honesty heals the wounds and so future generations lean, It makes a better society to all can live with peace and respect,
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Thinking Dec 01, 2020 06:27am
Mullas won't be able to do anything against Oscars
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Glen D'Abreo Dec 01, 2020 07:40am
@Shah We have to remove our mindset this is a myth that was started but has no legs. Films are stories about the good and the bad of every society. Its that simmple.
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Truth Seeker Dec 01, 2020 10:21am
Sharmeen is a nobody being blown out of proportion.
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