KARACHI: Pakistani film Noor, which won the best health film award in the online edition category at Cannes, had its first screening in Karachi this week at the Indus Valley School of Arts.
People gathered to attend the much-awaited screening on Monday, during which actor-director Umar Adil was also present.
Based on the life of an eight-year-old girl who battles the stigma of wearing glasses, Noor exposes how society treats people with vision problems.
After the screening of the film – which moved many – a question-and-answer session ensued, during which the filmmakers offered deep insights into the plot.
It’s no secret that people rarely hesitate to pass judgment on people who have any kind of disability or are physically impaired in any way.
Instead of helping or supporting people in this predicament, people tend to ridicule, ridicule and make fun of them rather than arbitrarily decide that people who don’t fit into the rigid box of the norm. are somehow less.
This film portrays exactly such a situation beautifully. Produced by See-Prime, this short film does not contain music, action sequences or comedy, but the interesting subject matter will keep the audience entertained.
There isn’t a single moment in the plot – written by Farah Usman – that we felt was a throwaway.
A break from tradition
In a conversation, Usman shed light on the script.
“I had written an earlier story with an eight-year-old girl as the protagonist, but it didn’t have the ups and downs of a father-daughter relationship. The second time I wrote it, the story felt composed, powerful, and refined.
“We had no idea that an extraordinary plot would make it to Cannes and Noor would bring home the 2023 Best Health Film Award.”
Talking about his future plans, Usman said: “I had long chosen to create something different from the Saas-Bahu stories, but if anyone still wants me to do something new, I would like to do it. I will work on it.”
The journey: from failure to Cannes!
Noor took two to three months to finalize filmmaker Omar Adil, but the journey to Cannes was by no means easy.
During the film’s launch event, the director said: “We had been working in the health and development sectors for the past 10 years when Sight Savers and White Rice approached us for this purpose. They just came up with the concept. However, Farah and I mutually decided to go with a short film as the audience in this area is slightly different and perceives the message in a larger way.”
Adil told that he did not expect the film to travel to Cannes.
However, lady luck smiled on him and the online edition category was introduced for the first time at the Cannes World Film Festival. “That’s how we managed to win the award in this category”.
Talking about the struggle, he said: “Working with child stars was tough, but it turned out to be a positive experience”.
Adil made his directorial debut with Chale Ha Saath Se — which released in 2017. Although the film was not successful, 17 minutes of Noor opened many doors of success for him.
Parents and actors
At the event, actress Sarwat Geelani pointed out: “People say that I do something different on screen, but it took me 20 years to get here. I was also in the dramas Ugli Galki or Saas Baho. I am grateful to Allah after seeing this.” I am grateful that Pakistani independent cinema is making a mark globally because the short stories we produce here are based on causes and at least have objectives.
She said that her experience as a parent helped her to play the role better.
“I understand how many children suffer from this problem and are called different names like ‘Cishmat Agaya’ and ‘Cishmesh Hai’. It is very normal for us to joke or laugh at such things. We don’t know that What effect does it have. It will produce on the child.”
The Joyland star added: “Noor’s message is plain and simple and as a parent and an artist I was drawn to this short film. I have no regrets.”
In response to a question about when she will appear in dramas again, the A-lister cheerfully replied: “I will be appearing in many commercials. Don’t leave me, I’ll be back soon.”
