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Sharmeen Obaid's short on Qandeel Baloch debuts at DOC NYC

Sharmeen Obaid's short on Qandeel Baloch debuts at DOC NYC

“Making biographical films is tricky, but it’s harder when your subject is as complex and widely misunderstood as Qandeel."
09 Dec, 2020

Specialising in investigative and socially motivated content, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy Films' latest documentary, A Life Too Short, a story of Qandeel Baloch and her social media chronicles, just debuted at the 11th edition of DOC NYC, America's largest documentary festival.

Nominated under the category 'Short List: Shorts', the section showcases a selection that the festival’s programming team considers to be among the year’s strongest contenders for Oscars and other awards.

Directed by Safyah Zafar Usmani, co-directed by Saad Zuberi and produced by SOC Films, the movie is a story on honour killing, chronicling around the life of social media superstar Qandeel Baloch who pushed boundaries of a conservative Pakistan.

Passing away at just 26, her brother smothered her to death for her open exclamations of women’s equality and sexuality through her sensational social media presence.

“Making A Life Too Short has been a labour of love for more than three years and now that it’s ready to go out into the world, I am both nervous and excited," exclaimed Safyah.

"Undoubtedly, Qandeel had big dreams and the courage to create her own identity but I am left terrified every time I realize that not all women amongst us can afford the basic right to choose to live however they want."

"Yet I live for the day when there won’t be a price to pay should a woman choose to follow her heart,” the director added.

“Making biographical films is always tricky, but it’s harder when your subject is as complex and widely misunderstood as Qandeel Baloch," revealed co-director Saad Zuberi.

"There’s so much more to her story than how it came to an end, but it’s really important for the world to remember the price Qandeel had to pay just because she chose to dream big and remain true to herself, and hopefully this film will help do that.”

A Life Too Short was acquired by MTV Documentary Films earlier in October 2020, as part of an exciting lineup that tackles the social, political and cultural topics affecting the immediate lives and future outlooks of young people today.

This year’s DOC NYC’s winning short will qualify for consideration in the 'Documentary Short Subject' category of the Annual Academy Awards in 2021, without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.

One of the 12 titles that showcased this year at DOC NYC, last year the selection included seven of the ten films that went on to be named to the Oscars Shortlist for Documentary Shorts, with three of DOC NYC’s picks going on to be Oscar nominees.

Comments

Hyra Dec 09, 2020 01:09pm
Can she ever win big at international festival by displaying good image of pakistan...
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Mishayl Valika Dec 09, 2020 02:24pm
Its a bore unfortunately not Sharmeen's best work
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Saj Dec 09, 2020 02:27pm
@Hyra . NEVER !!! She can’t, she can’t even win in local market.
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Farooq Dec 09, 2020 02:45pm
When she will make a film on Pakistani girls scaling Mount Everest or Winning an international cricket match.
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Sami Dec 09, 2020 03:24pm
@Farooq NEVER. She will not be able to sell it!
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Chrís Dăn Dec 09, 2020 04:27pm
@Hyra such as which one?
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Chrís Dăn Dec 09, 2020 04:28pm
A work with an alive conscience. Bests.
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Chrís Dăn Dec 09, 2020 04:54pm
@Farooq going to mount everest is an achiement would be appreciated by millions. To appreciate the true feelings of Qandeel and truth of her soul, the bitter cruelty of her - an uncalled for murder which was welcommed by civic society - humanity needed Sharmeen . One can see still people like you re trying to hush hush a bitter cruel act. No one has the right to take the life of other human being.
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Chrís Dăn Dec 09, 2020 04:57pm
@Saj in local market no. But,yes for international market and for serious viewers. The world needs to know how women are being killed in Pakistan in name of honour . Qandeel had all rights to stay alive.
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Laila Dec 09, 2020 05:11pm
@Hyra image? How do you create a better image of honour killings, patriarchy and misogyny? You do realize these things are causing havoc in our society and are inherently bad things, right?
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IFTIKHAR Dec 09, 2020 05:33pm
why she is to pick a topic from West and US to see how much praise she gets.
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T Dec 09, 2020 05:49pm
Another hit taken by Pakistan’s image on the world forum.
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SSA Dec 09, 2020 06:00pm
@Hyra Documentary Film makers present facts; and she is very good at that, she is not going to make a good image out of fantasy or whims.
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Amin Arab Dec 09, 2020 06:04pm
Sexism is pakistan, this should sell. Well done shermeen!
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Akram Dec 09, 2020 06:28pm
great news, the story must come out and only with this broadcast in Pakistan will we begin to change hearts & minds. Pakistan government could assist with approving of its topic by people like Shireen Mazari.
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Akram Dec 09, 2020 06:28pm
@Hyra she already won 2 oscars!
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Adil Jadoon Dec 10, 2020 01:40am
@Hyra she tries though.....
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Ali Mehdi Dec 10, 2020 02:23am
Short documentaries with a negative image of Pakistan is proving a short cut to oscars for some people. They seem to thrive on painting us bad.no society in the world is perfect. We are no exception.
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Faiz Dec 10, 2020 03:01am
@Hyra She makes documentaries, not works of fiction.
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Faiz Dec 10, 2020 03:02am
@Saj Because the local market has such high standards.
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A Khan Dec 10, 2020 04:25am
What happened to Qandeel was a tragedy and in no way justified but that doesn't mean her chosen lifestyle was an example worthy of emulation, or even representative of Pakistani women. Wouldn't it be better to eulogize women who risk their lives for a worthy cause? Like the frontline health workers. Airforce pilots like Mariam Mukhtar. The volunteer teachers educating street kids. Are these people invisible to Sharmeen? Isn't it time we recognize who our real heroes are instead of elevating those of dubious character?
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KSYED Dec 10, 2020 08:12am
No one came to rescue her . Not even MaLaLa who got fame for this!!
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