LONDON: A major film on Balochistan is set to be released that aims to raise global awareness about the issue of Balochistan.
‘The Line of Freedom’ has been produced by veteran Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Attaullah Mengal’s grandsons Noordin Mengal, Bhawal Mengal and David Whitney, the British director who also directed the award winning film, “Kandahar Break”.
Speaking to The News, Noordin Mengal said that the cinema has helped spread the word about many serious problems “we face in the world and has played a significant role in raising awareness about issues such as disease, injustice, poverty, war, racial discrimination, gender and social inequality, environmental issues etc”. “This is a thriller drama about the ongoing situation in Balochistan.”
In early 2012, brothers Noordin Mengal and Bhawal Mengal decided to make this film about the ongoing human rights crisis in Balochistan.The producers commissioned a British filmmaker, David Whitney, to make the film with their help. ‘The Line of Freedom’ stars Anntonio Khela, Mansoor Alfeeli, Fatima Altaei, Tony Hasnath, Umar Malik, Ibrahim Renno Junior, Umar Bin Haider, and Nitin Mirani.
Noordin Mengal told The News: “The British crew and cast braved high temperatures and difficult terrain in the desert and mountains to shoot the film. After the production stage, editing commenced in the UK and the film was completed.”
Noordin Mengal didn’t answer questions on how much the film had cost and whether the brothers arranged funds for the slick film from their own accounts. The human rights abuses in Balochistan have been reported by several human rights organisations. Both militant groups and state forces have been accused of committing rights violations. Pakistan alleges that several Baloch groups involved in insurgency get funding from abroad to run their anti-state campaign.
