The Pakistan premiere of the award-winning feature documentary “Indus Blues” was held on Friday at Pakistan National Council of the Arts.
This was presented by Foundation of Arts, Culture and education (FACE) in association with Bipolar Films, this film is being screened for the first time in Islamabad.
Chairman Senate Standing Committee for Information and Broadcasting Senator Faisal Javed Khan was the chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that there was a need to introduce a national music policy and he would work on it.
Faisal Javed said that next film of Jawwad Sharif would be more amazing and thrilling which would be produced in Naya Pakistan. “We all need to work together and will do the best”, he said.
Charge d’ Affairs German Mission in Pakistan Dr. Jens Jokisch said that it was a great honor to support this film. It was very informative for the people.
He said that most of the music instrument were endangered, adding the film would play a very important role in preservation and protection of music.
Executive Producsr Zeejah Fazli said that today our indigenous musicians are facing extinction due to reasons such as westernization, societal repression and poverty.
“Indus Blues is the first step that FACE has taken towards creating awareness on this important issue and alleviating the poverty of our indigenous musicians that will help us achieve our ultimate goal of preserving and promoting this valuable treasure of our cultural heritage”, he said.
Filmmaker Jawad Sharif not only showcased the unique performances of rarely seen musical instruments perhaps their last remaining maestros but also takes the audience on a journey throughout the landscape of Pakistan from the northern Karakoram mountains to the southern coastline.
Jawad Sharif said that this project was very close to my heart, Indus Blues tells the story of some of the most precious folk music treasures from the cultures of Indus which were on the verge of disappearance. The musicians associated with these musical instruments were ironically the most prominent figures in their art form but they are barely surviving in a society largely indifferent to what they have to offer.
Other than the PNCA, the partners of the premiere include the German Embassy in Islamabad and USAID Pakistan. The event also feature a performance by cast member and Boreendo performer Faqeer Zulfikar, who is the last living maestro of the ancient musical instrument.
Indus Blues explores the subject of the disappearing folk instruments in Pakistan as well as the struggle of indigenous musicians and craftsmen in the contemporary world. The film is unique for focusing on the craftsmen of musical instruments and giving them a platform to tell their stories.
The film features an ensemble of artists such as Arieb Azhar, who is also the Creative Producer of the film, Suroz player Sachu Khan, Sarinda player Ejaz Sarhadi, Boreendo player Faqeer Zulfikar, Balochi Banjo player Mumtaz Ali Sabzal, Nighat Chaudhary, Saif Samejo of the Sketches and Mai Dhai.
Published in: Urdu Point
Date Published: June 14, 2019
Article By: Anees Ahmed
Article Link: https://www.urdupoint.com/en/showbiz/award-winning-feature-documentary-indus-blue-645213.html
