In recent months, Pakistani feature and short films have been screened at various international film festivals and a few have even bagged awards in different categories.
Adding to that list is young filmmaker Ali Sohail Jaura’s short film, Nanu Aur Main (Grandpa and I). It has been selected for a screening at the upcoming 13th Tasveer South Asian Film Festival 2018 (TSAFF).
This time around Pakistan is the focus country and the festival will include films – shorts, experimental work, documentaries, and narratives of any length – on themes related to South Asia.
Coming back to Nanu Aur Main, the short film stars Saboor Aly and veteran actor Qavi Khan and the story revolves around the relationship of a grandfather with his granddaughter. Saboor essays the character of Erum, who goes on to live with her grandfather (Qavi Khan) after her parents pass away. In due course, Erum has to leave to study abroad and the two bid farewell to each other, but promise to stay in touch through letters. With time, Erum is unable to keep in touch with her grandfather regularly until one day she receives a letter from him in a distorted handwriting. She understands he is not doing well and returns to take care of her grandfather.
Apart from that, another short film called Bas Ek Piyali Chai (Just a Cup of Tea) which has been produced by Ali Sohail will also be screened at the festival. Bas Ek Piyali Chai, featuring Rashid Farooqi and the late Qazi Wajid, is about a narrative that follows Ghulam Raees (Rashid Farooqi) who takes us back in time where he used to work at the tea store of Ahmedeen (Qazi Wajid) and they both used to enjoy a cup of tea together.
Being the largest South Asian film festival in the United States, TSAFF 2018 will screen over 65 films in 5 cities and is scheduled to take place from September 28 till October 7, 2018.
As for the films mentioned above, both the short films will also be screened at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival 2018 (CSAFF) that will take place from September 20 to September 23, 2018.
