Arshad Khan

Special blog contribution by filmmaker and journalist,  Arshad Khan.  His observations in Pakistan during the filming of his latest project, Daraar: Fault Line, are chronicled in this piece.

Health Diagnosis Pakistan:  Obvious psychological pathology however complete and utter denial of any and all problems.

Photo Credit: Saad Safraz Sheikh

Part 1: “Daraar: Fault Line” the movie

I made a trip to Pakistan in March 2009 to study the atmosphere there and figure out whether I could work on a film despite the political upheaval in the country. I am trying to make a film about class oppression in Pakistan called Daraar: Fault Line. It is a film about a Canadian plastic surgeon of Pakistani heritage that decides to go to Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake (considered one of the worst natural disasters in human history). My protagonist falls in love in Pakistan with the most unlikely of candidates and learns to appreciate his native land, which he sees through a particular set of non class-conscious Canadian eyes. The layers of prejudice based on status, ethnicity and wealth are revealed to us through the journey of my protagonist.

The historic long march demanding judicial justice had just come to a successful conclusion and there was an air of jubilation in the country when I arrived. I too went with a clear and positive mind set especially after reading “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert- she speaks of travel, open-mindedness, spirituality, filling your heart with love and exuding good energy. So I was determined to make a difference. I was able to communicate without having to be defensive which was a certain change from all the other times I have had to visit; where I was inevitably miserable and let down by anything and everything. However, I soon realized the state of denial that exists in that country from a micro (family and friends) level to the macro (national) level. People are in denial about their mental health, their familial challenges in a globalized world and challenges of the failure of the old systems of patriarchy. They are also blind to the challenge that is democracy itself among an uneducated population living in an unjust country.

The weather helped keep me sane. Spring was in full bloom in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore and the people drunken by complacency or routine - I don’t know which - but perfectly oblivious to the beating war drums. Every couple of days I saw reports of suicide bomb attacks on police. There was a major suicide attack in a mosque in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan that killed over 70 people and injured hundreds and there was a killing spree at the Lahore police academy which made news globally. In a lopsided country with such massive poverty and widespread injustice, it is very easy to find people who will do horrific things for short-term gain and money. With an overwhelming population of teens, is it any wonder most of the suicide bombers are under the age of 18?

A stroke of luck allowed me to rub elbows with the elite of Lahore and Islamabad society where I discovered yet more material for my screenplay. There were parties and festivities in the homes of the rich and well to do and the discussions never veered off into what I think is surely an impending war in Pakistan.

—–

Arshad Khan is a journalist and filmmaker interested in creating films that challenge the mainstream view of the world. In an often “black or white” media world, Arshad likes to explore the gray. His perspective on issues of human rights and justice are original, creative and thought provoking.
Arshad Khan is currently working on his debut feature film project entitled “Fault Line: Daraar” which is to be shot in Montreal and Pakistan.