Democracy for New Mexico

Award-Winning Documentary 'Made in Pakistan' to Screen at Santa Fe Film Festival This Weekend

The award winning documentary, "Made in Pakistan," will be screened twice at the Santa Fe Film Festival this weekend. Executive Producer Ayesha Khan will be holding a Q&A after each screening:

• December 4th at 8:30 PM at Devargas Cinemas #3 (562 N. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe)
• December 6th at 2:45 PM at the NM History Museum (105 West Washington Avenue, Santa Fe)

For tickets call 505.989.1495 or visit www.santafefilmfestival.com

"Made in Pakistan" is an insider’s look into “The Most Dangerous Country in the World,” as a cover story in Newsweek October 29, 2007 called it. The documentary follows the lives of four Pakistani working professionals -- two women entrepreneurs, a politician and a lawyer. These four individuals represent a multifaceted Pakistan -- a country where politics, fashion, religion, debate and tradition intermingle – where one definition of an Islamic State no longer holds true.

The film was released theatrically in Pakistan on July 3, 2009, the first documentary ever to be released theatrically in Pakistan. The documentary recently won the Audience Choice Award at the SAIFF Film Festival in New York City. "Made in Pakistan" was also invited to screen at the Mumbai Film Festival November 2009, the only film from across the border to do so.

In the spirit of Activist Cinema, the Producers of "Made in Pakistan" have joined hands with the non-profit organization, Developments in Literacy (DIL) to create awareness for the urgent need to fund schools for girls in Pakistan. Ayesha Khan will talk about this amazing organization of Pakistani American professionals who fund close to 150 schools in Pakistan.

For more on DIL please see Nicholas Kristof's video piece on them called "Books not Bombs."

Reviews and Audience Reaction for "Made in Pakistan":

• "A brave documentary" SUNDAY MAGAZINE
• "A true picture of Pakistan" THE NEWS
• "Vivid and gripping!" NEWSLINE MAGAZINE
• “I actually feel like I know something about Pakistan now, not just US media blurbs. I think this film is important to see right now!”
• “This documentary paints a realistic portrait of ordinary people in a country shrouded by misconceptions.”

More Reviews:

• Groundbreaking Film Comes to Santa Fe Film Festival
• Mumbai Film Festival

7/18: Personal Civilian & Military Stories About Real Life in Afghanistan, Pakistan

On Saturday, July 18, at Noon, the Albuquerque Chapter of the United Nations Association-USA (see ) will present an opportunity to hear from New Mexicans who have lived in and worked in Afghanistan and Pakistan and Central Asia. They will tell of their experiences and their views of the background of the current conflicts and of the present policies. Panelists so far are:

• Mr. Craig Barnes, Santa Fe, NM, International negotiator in Central Asia
• Mr. Ed Rau, USAF retired, military attache in Afghanistan and consultant for US policy in Afghan-Soviet war
• Professor Tahseen A Cheema, MD, Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery, UNM, and visiting professor National Orthopaedic Hospital, Bahawapur, Pakistan.
• Lt. Colonel Frank Oliveira, NM Army National Guard, member Counterinsurgency Training Team, Afghanistan 2007-2008

The event will be held at the Albuquerque Mennonite Church, 1300 Girard Blve. NE, in Albuquerque (map). Admission is free. Potluck snacks are welcome. For more info, contact William Pratt at 869-4212 or prattsalwm@comcast.net.