The
Pakistani Academy Selection Committee, chaired by two-time Academy Award and
Emmy winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has selected “LAAL KABOOTAR” to be submitted for Oscar
consideration in the 'International Feature Film Award’ category for the 92nd
Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the
final nominees for all award categories including International Feature Film in
December 2019. The complete and final list of Oscar nominees will be announced
on 13th January 2020 with the presentation show for the 92nd
Academy Awards scheduled to take place on 9th February 2020.
Laal
Kabootar
is a rollercoaster ride featuring Ahmed Ali Akbar as Adeel Nawaz - a hustling
taxi-driver, looking for a way out of Karachi. But with his back against the
wall, Adeel has some hard choices to make. Aliya Malik, played by the alluring
Mansha Pasha, is strong-headed to the point of being stubborn, however when her
world turns upside down in a series of incidents, she chooses to put up a fight
even though her life is on the line. With its action-packed sequences and
blinding pace, the critically acclaimed film also stars multi-talent actors such as Rashid Farooqui,
Saleem Meraj, Ali Kazmi, Shamim Hilali, Akbar Islam, Syed Arsalan, Saad
Fareedi, Hammad Siddiq, Ishtiaq Omar, Meesum Naqvi, Faiza Gillani, Mohammed
Ahmed and Kaleem Ghour to name a few. Laal Kabootar has been directed by
the award-winning Kamal Khan with Harvard graduates Hania Chima and
Kamil Chima as the Executive Producers.
The Oscar committee
for 2019 was chaired by two-time Academy Award and Emmy winning documentary
filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and includes Zeba Bakhtiar [Director and
Actress], Zarrar Khuhro [Journalist], Zebunnisa Hamid [Assistant Professor of
Film Studies], Sarmad Khoosat [Writer, Producer, Director and Actor], Asim
Abbasi [Film Director], Rizwan Beyg [Fashion Designer], Jamil Baig [CEO Nueplex
Cinemas], Sanam Saeed [Actress, singer and former model] and Hamna Zubair
[Journalist].
Speaking
about the selection of ‘Laal Kabootar’:
Kamil Chima and Hania Chima [Producers – Laal
Kabootar]:
“This is very exciting news. This is a moment of
immense pride for the entire team, from the investors who put their faith in
us, to the cast and crew that worked tirelessly to tell a daring story.”
Kamal Khan [Director – Laal Kabootar]:
“Humbled
by the news! This is an extremely proud moment for the entire team, we are all
very excited. Want to thank the Pakistan selection committee and audiences for
giving Laal Kabootar so much love.”
Asim Abbasi [Committee
Member]:
"Laal Kabootar is one of the finest films to come
out of Pakistan in recent years. Gritty urbanscapes and the dark underbelly of
Karachi has never been explored and visualised for cinema like this
before. Taut, crisp storytelling and first rate performances that grip you
from the first shot and just doesn't let go."
Rizwan Beyg [Committee
Member]:
“Out of all the films submitted Laal Kabootar stood out
as a gritty real look at Karachi’s underbelly with nuanced performances by a
bunch of very talented young actors. Shot cleverly and with solid direction it
never wavered from its goal of showing the complexity of relationships between
different classes in a teeming city battling terror and corruption. ...Reality
bites.”
Sanam Saeed [Committee
Member]:
“Laal Kabootar offers some fantastic performances and a
fresh yet gritty cinematic experience. Kamal Khan as a director shines as he
takes you through the dark side of Karachi. Mo Azmi the DOP always captures the
essence of any story beautifully, and Taha Malik's soundtrack keeps you
hooked.”
Sarmad Khoosat [Committee
Member]:
“Laal Kabootar is an authentic representation of the new
wave cinema in Pakistan. Karachi’s raw and fierce beauty has never been shown
like this on screen before.”
Hamna Zubair [Committee
Member]:
"Laal Kabootar is the
most sophisticated film Pakistani cinema has produced in the last few years.
Laal Kabootar contrasts the desperation of modern urbanites with the healing
power of human kindness. The result is spectacular."