As part of the RealFilms programme, The Drum in partnership with The South Asian Alliance and the Indian Workers Association bring you three critically acclaimed films followed by a post screening Q & A panel discussion.
Launching the program is Shoaib Mansoors ‘Khuda Kay Liye, a film that criss-crosses across three countries; Pakistan, Amercia and England to expose the acidic fall-out ‘The war on Terror’ and of a twisted interpretation of religion in post 9/11.
There have been a number of post 9/11 offerings from Hollywood, however, it took a Pakistani film to create the maximum impact, worldwide. With its topical rendition of contemporary history’s most burning issue: Islamic fundamentalism and the ‘war on terror’. Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Liye created a storm at the international film circuit and having rattled the Pakistani film industry out of its somnambulism it had audiences clapping and wowing at cinemas and broke box office records.
The film unfolds as a dramatic clash of cultures between two rock musician brothers; the liberal Sarmad and the impressionable Mansoor who under the influence of the local maulvi (Priest) becoming more religious. Ironically, trouble befalls both the brothers, leaving their happy-family idyll scarred for life. While Sarmad ends up in the infamous US prisons and is tortured for his alleged links with the Al-Qaeda, Mansoor becomes a pawn in a vicious game, where a distraught father uses him to forcibly prevent his British-born daughter from marrying her British boyfriend. And if that’s not enough, Mansoor is forced to double up as a mujahideen in war-torn Afghanistan, even though he hates violence and declares he can’t kill a man.
Following the screening the audience will be invited to participate in an interactive post-show discussion facilitated by the South Asian Alliance.
The RealFilm program is supported by the South Asian Alliance, a Birmingham based organisation dedicated to promoting understanding and harmony amongst Birmingham’s diverse communities, while other participating organisations include the Indian Workers’ Association and SureShots Media.
The RealFilm program seeks to raise awareness of cutting edge South Asian film making and provide opportunities for communities to debate the controversial issues raised.
Khuda Kay Liye is the second highest grossing film of Pakistan of all time with a gross of over $10 million.
The film has won the following awards since its release:-
2008 Lux Style Awards:- Best Film, Best Actor – Shaan, Best Actress – Iman Ali, Best Soundtrack
31st Cairo International Film Festival , Silver Pyramid Award for Best Picture, Roberto Rossellini Award (Italian film industry) , Fukuoka Audience Award (Japan), Asian Festival of First Films and Swarovski Trophy for Best Cinematography.
VENUE INFORMATION:
Title: Khuda Kay Liye
Date & Time: 15th March 2012 at 7pm
Ticket Prices: £5 (£4)
Director: Shoaib Mansoor
Running time: 165 minutes
Certificate: 15
Venue: The Drum | 144 Potters Lane | Aston | Birmingham | B6 4UU
Box Office: 0121 333 2444
Online Bookings: www.the-drum.org.uk
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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/The_Drum
‘Now here’s meaningful cinema that doesn’t compromise on commercial values. Go and see it and get thinking.’ Times of India
