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    Film Review: Dance Kahani

    Written by: Dr. Dushka H. Saiyid
    Posted on: August 06, 2016 |

    Madeleine Hanna as 'Nizzy'

    Omar Hassan has made his directorial debut with a film about dancing: modern, ballet, hip hop and even a little ballroom at the end. It is the story of a British girl of Pakistani origin who moves back to Pakistan with her parents, and has the usual cultural adjustment problems. Her parents want to get her married, while her only interest in life is to dance, having been trained as a dancer for sixteen years. 

    Film Dance Kahani Review

    The Scottish actor and dancer, Madeleine Hanna as Nizzy, gives a convincing performance of a girl who successfully breaks out of her claustrophobic existence at home, and finds a group of street kids to train for a hip hop competition. Its an interesting mix of a barber, a car thief, and other kids who live by their wits, but what they have in common is their love of dancing. However, they are up against Jo, played by Abdul Ghani, who has his own hip hop group that seems to have the monopoly of the dance scene in the city.

    Film Dance Kahani Review

    Jo is sleaze incarnate, and Abdul Ghani’s acting a little exaggerated but suitably repulsive for the viewer! Here lies the weakness of the script, because his obnoxious behaviour towards her is not realistic given the fact that he is also her suitor. Unlike most films, it’s the first half of the film that drags, while the plot picks up in the second half. The screenplay touches on issues of cultural conflicts, like the uncle storming into the room and shutting down music that the girls are playing. The uncle’s wife is hilarious as she breaks into pithy Punjabi as she expresses her shock and horror at her husband’s wayward niece.

    Film Dance Kahani Review

    Alamdar Khan as 'Shobby' and Madeleine Hanna as 'Nizzy'

    It’s a fairy story, despite a spot of realism about the fixing of the dance competition. Nizzy finds her Prince Charming, who just happens to be one of the suitors whom the parents are interested in. She is also able to realize her dream of forming a dance academy with sponsorship from a company fulfilling its corporate responsibility.

    Film Dance Kahani Review

    Omar Hassan has broken out of the formula mold to tap into the hip hop culture he discovered in Karachi at a club in DHA, where kids would congregate every day to dance for a couple of hours, and where class or social status barriers did not exist. That seems to have been the source of inspiration for Pakistan’s first dance film, a useful addition to the new mix of independent films coming out of Pakistan, although it could have done with a more nuanced portrayal of characters.


    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