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In Hindi/Urdu with (English) subtitles.
Plays In: Shorts and Docs IV

 

Contraband Pakistan: Debunking the Stereotype

15 min | Short Narrative

Directed by: Mehreen Jabbar

Pakistan

Program Notes

It traces the life of a prostitute in Karachi on her typical work day, the men she meets and the different roles she plays to satisfy her clients.

The director won the following awards for her film Ramchand Pakistani: Indus Drama Awards, 2004; FIPRESCI PRIZE, 2008; Honourable Mention by the 13th Annual Satyajit Ray Awards at the London Film Festival, 2008; Audience Award at the Fribourg International Film festival, 2009.

About the Director

Mehreen has made several award winning tele-films and TV series for numerous TV channels in Pakistan, in addition to a number of short films which have aired in festivals worldwide. 'Ramchand Pakistani' is her first feature length film, which was released in Pakistan, India and the UK to wide critical and audience acclaim. The film premiered in the competition section of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in 2008. It won the FIPRESCI PRIZE from the International Federation of Film Critics and received Honourable Mention by the 13th Annual Satyajit Ray Awards at the London Film Festival, 2008 as well as the Audience Award at the Fribourg Film Festival. The film recently had a week long screening at the MOMA in New York.  Mehreen has been a member of the National Board of Film Censors in Karachi, a founding member of WAR (War Against Rape), the KaraFilm Festival in Karachi, and has also served as a juror at the Leeds International Film Festival. She currently resides in New York City.