We are taking into the midst of the Taliban world in Pakistan. A world where artists live under the threat of death. A world where video and cd stores are bombed and their owners killed. A world where taliban propaganda films with real life children beheading claimed spies are being sold from stands by smiling salesmen.
Art, entertainment and humanity is under siege, and it's this world Australian director Director George Gittoes dares to explore. To survive and be accepted he teams of with the Pakistani action star Javed Musazai, and takes roles as the foreign bad guy in low budget films. This is an industry where 4000 dollars gives you a two hour "epic", and Gittoes gladly puts up the funds. And while making these movies he's able to meet the people of this world, see book burnings, bombed mosques, speak with religious leaders and explore the complex nature of Pakistan.
Gittoes brand of Gonzo-journalism can be compared to Michael Moore's, but unlike more he's under constant risk of losing his life. His ability to add humor only increases the clarity of the horror around him, and makes us love and care for the people we meet. The artists themselves, no matter how joyful and careless their cinema might seem live in constant fear and you see some of the people in the movie meeting terrifying and tragic situations.
Nothing could have prepared me for how powerful this would be. The humanity this film manages to capture in such a bleak place is unique. I'm shocked this hasn't gotten more attention. It even made me respect and appreciate the film industry over there, which seems to be on par with the Turks, but I could see the hope and joy they represents. This is a movie, everyone, not only film buffs should see. It's power is universal and it's can hardly be paralleled. A movie every single person in this world should see.
Art, entertainment and humanity is under siege, and it's this world Australian director Director George Gittoes dares to explore. To survive and be accepted he teams of with the Pakistani action star Javed Musazai, and takes roles as the foreign bad guy in low budget films. This is an industry where 4000 dollars gives you a two hour "epic", and Gittoes gladly puts up the funds. And while making these movies he's able to meet the people of this world, see book burnings, bombed mosques, speak with religious leaders and explore the complex nature of Pakistan.
Gittoes brand of Gonzo-journalism can be compared to Michael Moore's, but unlike more he's under constant risk of losing his life. His ability to add humor only increases the clarity of the horror around him, and makes us love and care for the people we meet. The artists themselves, no matter how joyful and careless their cinema might seem live in constant fear and you see some of the people in the movie meeting terrifying and tragic situations.
Nothing could have prepared me for how powerful this would be. The humanity this film manages to capture in such a bleak place is unique. I'm shocked this hasn't gotten more attention. It even made me respect and appreciate the film industry over there, which seems to be on par with the Turks, but I could see the hope and joy they represents. This is a movie, everyone, not only film buffs should see. It's power is universal and it's can hardly be paralleled. A movie every single person in this world should see.
