How film transforms the way we see the world | Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Summary

A passionate storyteller recounts their journey from an investigative journalist in Pakistan to a documentary filmmaker, using film to challenge societal norms, particularly around honor killings. After documenting the story of a woman who survived a brutal attack for marrying of her own will, the filmmaker's work sparked national dialogue and legal reform in Pakistan. The filmmaker then launched a mobile cinema initiative, taking films about gender equality and social change to rural villages, transforming attitudes and empowering women. This project has since spread to other countries, creating a global impact on how communities view gender, justice, and rights.

Takeaways

• 😀 The storyteller’s journey began with a habit of asking difficult questions, starting at age 10, driven by curiosity about the world around her.
• 😀 At 14, her mother encouraged her to write for a local English-language newspaper to channel her questions into impactful stories for the wider public.
• 😀 By 17, the storyteller became an undercover investigative journalist, exposing powerful figures in Pakistan, despite her youth.
• 😀 The backlash from exposing corrupt figures led to threats and attacks on her family, but her father’s unwavering support encouraged her to continue speaking truth to power.
• 😀 The storyteller shifted to documentary filmmaking at 21, using film as a powerful tool to bring attention to marginalized communities and social issues, particularly in war zones.
• 😀 Her documentary work in Pakistan focused on the harrowing issue of honor killings, where women are killed for violating patriarchal societal rules.
• 😀 The film about a young woman named Saba, who survived an honor killing attempt by her family, highlighted the legal loophole that allowed perpetrators to avoid jail if the victim forgave them.
• 😀 Despite Saba's decision to forgive her attackers, the film sparked national conversations and led to significant legislative changes, closing the legal loophole in 2016.
• 😀 The filmmaker’s project didn’t stop at legislation; she created a mobile cinema to bring films to rural Pakistan, offering a unique platform for educating communities on issues like gender equality and women’s rights.
• 😀 The mobile cinema’s success was driven by its ability to adapt to local cultural norms, showing films that encouraged critical thinking, showcased strong women, and educated people about their legal rights and societal roles.

Q & A

What motivated the storyteller to start asking difficult questions at a young age?

The storyteller was motivated by growing up in a large family where her mother, who was raising six children, had little time for her. Her habit of asking difficult questions started at the age of 10 as a way to seek answers and understand the world around her.

How did the storyteller’s mother respond to her persistent questions?

At the age of 14, the storyteller’s mother, frustrated with her constant questioning, suggested that she channel her curiosity into writing for the local English-language newspaper in Pakistan, so her questions could be shared with the broader public.

What significant challenge did the storyteller face as an investigative journalist?

As a 17-year-old undercover investigative journalist, the storyteller wrote a story exposing powerful people, which led to retaliation against her and her family. They were subjected to defamation and harassment, but her father supported her and stood by her commitment to speak the truth.

What impact did the storyteller’s father have on her during the retaliation?

The storyteller’s father, despite being a strict man of tradition, stood firmly by her when powerful men attempted to shame the family. He supported her decision to speak the truth, which encouraged her to continue her work in the face of adversity.

What role did film play in the storyteller’s mission to raise awareness about societal issues?

Film became a powerful tool for the storyteller to address important social issues, particularly in Pakistan where literacy rates are low. She believed that film could evoke emotions, generate empathy, and change public perception about critical issues such as violence against women.

What is an 'honor killing,' and why did the storyteller focus on this issue?

An honor killing is the murder of a woman by her family members, typically for actions that are deemed to dishonor the family, such as choosing a partner independently or seeking a divorce. The storyteller focused on this issue to shed light on the systemic violence women face and to challenge laws that allowed perpetrators to escape justice through victim forgiveness.

How did the storyteller’s film impact the legislation around honor killings in Pakistan?

The storyteller’s film, which documented the story of a woman who survived an honor killing attempt, gained widespread attention, including a national screening attended by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The film contributed to the closure of a legal loophole that allowed perpetrators of honor killings to avoid punishment, leading to life imprisonment for those convicted.

What challenges did the storyteller face while trying to bring their film’s message to rural communities in Pakistan?

While traveling to rural villages, the storyteller faced cultural resistance, with some villages pushing back against the ideas being presented. However, they also found unexpected support from individuals such as local elders and even law enforcement, who recognized the importance of exposing people to alternative worldviews and empowering women.

How did the mobile cinema project help spread the message of the storyteller’s film?

The mobile cinema, a truck equipped with a large screen, was used to bring films directly to rural areas, providing communities with access to films that encouraged critical thinking and addressed important social issues. It also created a safe space for women to watch films in privacy, without fear of harassment or judgment.

What was the impact of the mobile cinema on local communities, and how did it change their perceptions?

The mobile cinema led to significant changes in how people in small towns and villages viewed women’s rights, violence, and social norms. Men began to rethink their behavior towards women, children developed critical thinking skills, and some women were inspired to step into leadership roles. The mobile cinema fostered a shift in attitudes and sparked important conversations in rural communities.