"I began making films to connect with humanity"
As Pakistani cinema fans wait for the release of its latest offering Wakhri, the film is preparing for its national premiere where it will be shown to a local audience.
The film is set to release in cinemas on January 5, 2024, and promises to be an experience like no other.
Wakhri has been written and directed by Iram Parveen Bilal who has spoken about what the film entails.
Iram stated: “Wakhri is first and foremost made by and for our people. It is my love letter to the women of Pakistan and allies around the world.
“It is a cry for all marginalised voices to be heard.
“I began making films to connect with humanity and to explore complex concepts alongside my audiences.
“Securing a nationwide release for this cherished film is a crowning achievement for our relentlessly dedicated team.”
Wakhri centres on a widowed teacher who shares her opinions on social media and finds herself becoming an overnight sensation because of it.
She begins a journey of raising her son as well as keeping her identity hidden as she struggles to maintain normality in her life.
The highly awaited movie stars Sohail Sameer, Faryal Mehmood, Tooba Siddiqui, Akbar Islam, Shees Sajjad Gul, Bakhtawar Mazhar and Gulshan Majeed.
Before its release, Wakhri has been making headlines since it participated in the 2018 Locarno Film Festival Open Door Hub and the Busan Asian Project Market in 2022.
Recently it was showcased at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia.
Kaleem Aftab, who is the Red Sea Film Festival Head of International Programming, spoke about the movie and detailed the selection process.
Kaleem commented: “Well, I do not want to go out on a limb too much before they are shown, but I think people will be very struck by the new film, Wakhri: One of a Kind.
“I feel like that is a film that talks about an incident that happened in Pakistan and is changing the narrative on that.”
Wakhri is believed to have been inspired by the story of Qandeel Baloch, a Pakistani internet sensation who was brutally murdered by her brother in the name of honour.
Iram Parveen Bilal claimed that her movie was an ode to the various women who were inspired by Qandeel’s bravery and that it was not an attempt to glorify honour killings.
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