Print

    10th Vasakh Documentary Film Festival: Sensitizing Our Youth, One Documentary at a Time

    Written by: Momina Mindeel
    Posted on: May 02, 2017 | | 中文

    10th Vasakh Documentary Film Festival (source: 'Vasakh' Facebook page)

    Formed in 2008, the Vasakh Documentary Film Festival is an initiative of Interactive Resource Centre (IRC), an info media organization based in Lahore. Vasakh was established with the objective of sensitizing the youth by focusing on issues of human rights, equal citizenship, gender equality and religious tolerance through the medium of short documentary films. Vasakh stands out from other festivals by not only providing a multicultural platform for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their work, but also giving them an opportunity to learn from and interact with fellow filmmakers from various parts of the world. This year, Ali Auditorium witnessed the tenth edition of this two-day festival in all its glory, where around 15 short documentary films were screened from Pakistan, India, Myanmar and the US. The event was put together by IRC and Maati TV (Pakistan’s first web-based interactive video website) in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and the National Endowment for Democracy.

    The festival was very well organized, and unlike most events in the country, began and ended on time. Although the hall was considerably full on the first day, unfortunately not a lot of people showed up on the second day to appreciate the aspiring filmmakers and their work. Most documentaries were followed by a five-minute break where the filmmakers would take the stage and answer any questions that the audience had regarding their work.

     

    The first day showcased 6 documentary films that included ‘100 Second Chances’, ‘My Leg’, ‘Whirling in the Dark’, ‘Saphoy Didar Ali’, and ‘Me, Chabbar and Abu Chacha’. The last film of the day, ‘Nusrat Ara: Fakhar-e-Mardan’ by the IRC team was particularly memorable, as it depicted the struggles of Nusrat Ara, who dedicated her life to fight for the rights of women in traditional Pakhtun culture, despite hardships and constant threats to her life.

    The 13 minute long documentary, ‘The Last of Wakhi Shepherdess’ by Zeeo Zia was the highlight of the second day. The film revolves around a courageous woman from Gojal, Hunza, who decided to leave the comfort of her home and her village to live in the pasture with her livestock in an attempt to revive the centuries-old tradition of shepherding, which has been in decline for several years. Even today, she is one of the last shepherdesses in the area, because the conditions in the pastures have become too harsh, with temperatures reaching almost -30 degrees Celsius. The film had a soothing pace and a dreamlike musical score, making it a delight to watch. Upon being asked about the inspiration behind this film, Zeeo Zia told the audience that he himself belongs to Hunza, and has personally visited the pastures. The woman’s resilience immediately struck him, and he decided to pay tribute to this courageous shepherdess.

     

    The second day concluded with the screening of ‘Major Gulfam Shaheed’, a heartrending tale of a Shi’a soldier from Parachinar who lost his wife while fighting extremist groups in Pakistan. Other notable documentaries on day 2 included ‘Sankrail Suberstars’, ‘Akash’, ‘Playground’, ‘A Tribute to Aitzaz Hassan’, ‘Teesra Pahar’ and ‘Parsis in Lahore’.

    Festival Director Risham Waseem told the audience that “We hope to use Vasakh as a platform for civic education and dialogue for the youth and community members”. The content of the films screened during the two-day festival was closely linked to this goal. Here’s hoping that more and more people join and support the teams at IRC and Maati TV, to help them disseminate the “Narratives That Can Make a Difference” in the years to come.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021