ome allocation has been made in the recently announced federal budget for the promotion of the film industry in the country. As usual, there has been a hailstorm of praise for these gestures. This is not the first time this has happened. In the past, many cultural policies were floated by various regimes of differing political orientations and seen as a new beginning.

The Pakistani film industry was quite vibrant a few decades ago. It used to release about a 100 films a year. Though it was seen as a poor relation to the industry in India, it was given credit for keeping the flag fluttering.

However, the industry has been on a virtual ventilator for some decades now. The raft of Covid-19 restrictions did not help either. Actually, even the biggest of the film industries globally have taken a heavy blow and are struggling to revive now that the worst is over. Other forms and mediums have emerged or have made their worth felt in the days and nights when people were closeted and wanted to fill their hours at home with some activity. In Pakistan, the TV plays filled the void to a great degree. The themes and scenarios saw a spreading out and greater diversity. However, with the welcome development, also came new forms of pressure and new levels of criticism that have impinged upon the freedom of expression. Anything that was seen to be currying gender bias elicited the same violent response as did the so called issues of vulgarity, anti-state interest or hurting religious sentiments.

The major reason behind stagnation in the films production is not really the finances but the censorship that is becoming stricter by the day. The space for freedom of expression has been shrinking and no one dare take a stand against it for the fear of a violent backlash.

Some very good films were made and released in the country last year. However, some of those faced issues with exhibition. Most of the problems revolved around the question that these were not in accordance with the norms and the values of the society. These films were released or sneaked out for exhibitions in festivals around the world. The buzz that these were not allowed to be publicly screened in the country added spice to the suggestion that Pakistan was the place worthy of sending your mother-in-law to.

The arts are not supposed to pander to the values and the prevalent norms of a society. Instead they often question those. It is often said that the film should be produced in such a way that those can be viewed with one’s family. But when in the history of art was that the case? The inanities expected of the arts left after the insensitive cuts and the limp outcome are not fit to be exhibited. The blame for the flop is then laid at the door of the producer and the director. The film industry is blamed for not being creative and engaging.

Pakistani films have been screened at film festivals across the world and some of those have been lauded. However, these have been made unnecessarily controversial in the country and people have been denied the right or the opportunity to view those. The creative teams exhaust their efforts in defending the production rather than use the energy to promote it. Sometimes the producers fear for their physical survival and being singled out to be pilloried. They risk being targets of persecution and a venting out of hate and anger.

That culture should be linked to the policies espoused by the government is a questionable idea. In countries like Pakistan, it is sometimes alleged that some state institutions have their own priorities that are placed above those of the government and should be respected. The allocation in the budget are seen by the powers that be as propaganda tools. If the films are seen serving the purpose, they are praised, else floodgates of criticism are opened. Many practitioners feel that the support of the state is needed. However, they do not want state or the government to be allowed to dictate the content. This is probably too good a situation to ask for. More space and freedom may be available for private initiatives. An askance look at what we have done to ourselves and our society will only do us good.

The writer is a culture critic based in Lahore.