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Locating a Documentary Cinema of Accountability: the Emergence of Activist Film Practices As a Socio-Political Movement in Contemporary Pakistan

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Locating a Documentary Cinema of Accountability: the Emergence of Activist Film Practices As a Socio-Political Movement in Contemporary Pakistan Locating a Documentary Cinema of Accountability: The Emergence of Activist Film Practices as a Socio-Political Movement in Contemporary Pakistan by Rahat Imran M.A., Simon Fraser University, 2005 M.A., Punjab University, 1985 Dissertation Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy under Special Arrangements with Dean of Graduate Studies School of Communication Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology © Rahat Imran 2012 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Fall 2012 All rights reserved. However, in accordance with the Copyright Act of Canada, this work may be reproduced, without authorization, under the conditions for "Fair Dealing." Therefore, limited reproduction of this work for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review and news reporting is likely to be in accordance with the law, particularly if cited appropriately. Approval Name: Rahat Imran Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (SAR) Title of Thesis: Locating a Documentary Cinema of Accountability: The Emergence of Activist Film Practices as a Socio-Political Movement in Contemporary Pakistan Examining Committee: Chair: Dean of Graduate Studies or designate Dr. Martin Laba Senior Supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Gary McCarron Supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed Supervisor Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Stockholm University, Sweden Dr. Parin Dossa Internal Examiner Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Simon Fraser University Dr. Sunera Thobani External Examiner Associate Professor, Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice, University of British Columbia, Canada Date Defended! Approved: ....:.N...:..:o=-v:...:e:..:...m:..:..:b::..:e:.:r....::2:.:2:.!..,-=2:.::0....:.1.:=2______________ _ Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection (currently available to the public at the "Institutional Repository" link of the SFU Library website (www.lib.sfu.ca) at http://summitlsfu.ca and, without changing the content, to translate the thesis/project or extended essays, if technically possible, to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation of the digital work. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author's written permission. Permission for public performance, or limited permission for private scholarly use, of any multimedia materials forming part of this work, may have been granted by the author. This information may be found on the separately catalogued multimedia material and in the signed Partial Copyright Licence. While licensing SFU to permit the above uses, the author retains copyright in the thesis, project or extended essays, including the right to change the work for subsequent purposes, including editing and publishing the work in whole or in part, and licensing other parties, as the author may desire. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada revised Fall 2011 iii I Ethics Statement SFU The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: a. human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, or b. advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research c. as a co-investigator, collaborator or research assistant in a research project approved in advance, or d. as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices. Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada update Spring 2010 Abstract Maintaining trends of resistance movements, activist agendas, and advocacy campaigns initiated in opposition to the Islamization period and the dictatorship of General Zia-ul­ Haq (1977-1988), contemporary expressions of resistance in Pakistan have also begun to include 'activist documentary' film practices. As issues of religious fundamentalism and extremism, gendered violence, violation of human rights, impact of Islamization and rigid Sharia laws, particularly on women and minorities, besides the violent socio-cultural and tribal practices such as stove-burning, acid-attacks, honour-killing, honour-rape, and swara continue to haunt the civil society, a new generation of creative activists are using documentary film as their activist vehicle of communication, resistance and consciousness-raising. This thesis will focus on independent documentary filmmakers, productions, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), as well as a government body, that have contributed to the emergence of an activist documentary film movement in contemporary Pakistan since the Islamization period. It will discuss their contribution and significance to the growth and progress of this emerging film category in the country, and argue for an investigative filmic body of work that can be identified as a critical documentary 'cinema of accountability' from within a Muslim society that seeks to provoke debate on crucial issues, stress legislative reforms, and promote social change. Keywords: Documentary film; Pakistan, Islam; human rights and activism; religious fundamentalism; terrorism; violence against women iv To Imran, Momin, Bibi Jan, and Louis. You complete my little world. v ... 'We realized that the important thing was not the film itself but that which the film provoked.' Fernando Solanas 1 1Solanas, Fernando. 'Cinema as a Gun.' Cineaste. Vol 3, No 2 (Fall, 1969) (pg-20). vi Acknowledgements First and foremost, a very special thanks to Dr. Martin Laba and his lovely wife Danielle-­ -your warm friendship gave me, my husband and our son every reason to make Canada our second home. On a sunny September morning in Vancouver in 1999, you drove us to see the SFU campus to consider applying to graduate programmes. Sitting on the steps outside the Bennett Library with our four-year old, we never imagined that, some day, both my husband and I will convocate in the same courtyard, not once, but twice each---MAs and PhDs. Without a doubt, lowe it all to you. Martin and Danielle, your selfless and unconditional support continues to give us the courage and enthusiasm to proceed in our respective fields, and to make a future for our son. No mother can give enough thanks. In return I can only offer my humble gratitude and love, as always. lowe the timely completion of this thesis to the kindness, generosity, and excellent guidance of the members of my PhD supervisory committee: Dr. Martin Laba, Dr. Gary McCarron, and Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed. It has been an honour and privilege to be in such good hands, and learn from you all. I shall forever be indebted to you. A very special thanks to my father, Dr. Manzur-ul-Haq Hashmi. lowe it all to your inspiration, guidance, and support at every step. You taught me life's finest lesson: 'It isn't life that matters, it's the courage you bring to it.' I sincerely hope one day your grandson, Momin, will be writing his own acknowledgement to you on his doctoral thesis. And the most special of all thanks: My very long, overdue, but ever enduring thanks to Syed Asad Ali: you taught me how to read and write, and cherish books. Azra Altaf Ali: you taught me how to walk. your love and prayers have never failed me. It is with tremendous gratitude and respect that I acknowledge the following for their help, guidance, support, and friendship during my doctoral research and the completion of this thesis: vii Pakistani filmmakers: Maheen Zia (KaraFilm Festival and Apnakam), Samar Minallah (Ethnomedia and Communication); Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Sharmeen Obaid Films); and Sabiha Sumar (Vidhi Films). Organizations and individuals in Pakistan: The staff at Simorgh Women's Resource and Publication Centre, Lahore; Aurat Foundation Publication and Information Service, Lahore; ASR Women's Resource Centre, Lahore; Shirkatgah Women's Resource Centre, Lahore; Ethnomedia and Communication, Islamabad; National Commission for Peace and Justice (NCJP), Lahore; Ali Institute of Education, Lahore; AGHS Legal Aid Cell, Lahore; National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Islamabad; Interactive Resource Centre (IRC), Lahore; Ajoka Theatre for Social Change, Lahore; Lahore International Children's Film Festival (LlCFF), Lahore; Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
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