“Never said we won’t show Saving Face in Pakistan,” say co-directors
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (seen here) and co-director Daniel Junge, find themselves in the middle of a potential legal battle with survivors of acid attacks, following the expected release of their film “Saving Face” in Pakistan. – Photo by AP
KARACHI: Directors for the Oscar-winning documentary Saving Face responded, on Thursday, to claims made by acid-attack survivors over the airing of the film in Pakistan and its repercussions on the victims featured in it.
Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Daniel Junge, who co-directed the film featuring victims of acid attacks, refuted an earlier report, saying they never “promised not to show the film in Pakistan.”
“All subjects were informed of our intention to release the film globally, including Pakistan, and all subjects signed a release to this effect,” the directors said in a statement released to the media late Thursday.
The Acid Survivors Foundation Pakistan (ASF), which had cooperated on the film, has now sent legal notices to Obaid-Chinoy and Junge.
The filmmakers, however, said that the victims signed a release in the presence of ASF officials and the contents of the release were fully explained.
“We had no idea it would be a hit and win an Oscar. It’s completely wrong. We never allowed them to show this film in Pakistan,” Naila Farhat, 22, who features fleetingly in the documentary, said in an earlier report.
“We also got signatures of a similar release in Urdu from Ms Naila Farhat who appears in our film for less than 30 seconds and is unidentified on screen. The document was fully explained to her as well despite her remaining unidentified,” the directors’ statement adds.
While there were no direct allegations of promised monetary compensation being not being provided by the filmmakers, ASF were reportedly under the impression that profits from screenings in Pakistan would go to Zakia and Rukhsana
Obaid-Chinoy and Junge have also denied any such promises.
“At no point did we ever make any financial commitments to the subjects and the releases signed with each subject state this explicitly.”
The filmmakers say they have not made any ‘profit’ from the film. However, they claim to have raised money from donors at international screenings “to assist the two principal subjects with legal cases and housing which has already been accepted by Ms Zakia.”
“We have also from the outset offered to give all proceeds from Pakistan broadcasts to the subjects and organisations working on this issue so we have no financial stake in whether it airs in Pakistan.”
The co-directors have warned against alleged financial misappropriation, which, they say, could lead to legal action.
Release and broadcast of the film in Pakistan has not been confirmed and the filmmakers say that in light of “ASF’s campaign against the release of the film,” it will be unfortunate if Saving Face is not released in its home country.
On this topic, fame is as good as money and I dont think she is in it for the money. she is a noble person who has been on a quest for decades. dont malign her guys.
does it bother anyone that we can comment on this article but cannot comment on any political or articles of "real" value? since the comments have been blocked by the admin
The function of an artist in the society is to highlight the maladies pesent in the society and sensitise people regarding them. Artists can themselves not set out to eradicate or even materially help the acid attack victims. That her film has brought attention to the issue is a great success for her and the society. Now it is upto the authorities to deal with the problem. It is highly improper for us to complain " she did not pick up the phone" or it is all about money.May I ask what are we doing by passing such kurt comments???
@hassan everything is about the money, dude. Your comment is quite vague and does not make sense without any backing at all.
People dont just say things 'cause you can and be part of the noise. Pls try to add valuable input and if you are accusing someone of something at least have the decency to back it up with some facts. Otherwise keep your random thoughts to yourself.
@observer what are your sources? Dont make claims without actual facts. Plus the film makers are not social worker. They are here to bring an issue to light and the rest of the work needs to be done by everyone. Also it is not possible for the film makers to speak with each and every individual who decides to call them and also provide proper support to them. Lets not get confused about their profession.
And lastly look at the most ridiculous argument made by one of the girls in this docu “We had no idea it would be a hit and win an Oscar. It’s completely wrong. We never allowed them to show this film in Pakistan,” Naila Farhat. So her issue is that she was not fore-warned that the documentary may be a hit and end up winning an oscar!! Her comment makes no sense at all. So she only wanted to be in a documentary and talk about her ordeal as long as the documentary was watched by a whole of 5 people??
its all about money.
Legal documents hold true … seems like its the ASF who is in the wrong here
Thank you Ms. Sharmeen for all your efforts. You are a beacon of light in our country
where many women are mistreated and disrespected every day.
Good luck to you. Keep up the good work…!!!
she did not even bother to return call from another victim who later committed suicide .
do you know victim personally or you are just spreading rumours.
uh no that was fakhra younus she has nothing to do with saving face.
Though her initial intentions might be nobel, however fame can do strange things to humans. Its rather strange that not many people knew that Mir Zafar, a graduate of FAST karachi, was the first Oscar winner from Pakistan, for the Golden Compas starring Daniel Craig.
Mir Zafar's name is not in the list of people who own oscar for The Golden Compass.Check it out.You might be mistaken bro.
I have checked and Golden Compass only got Oscar for one category and Mir Zafar is not in it.
Hi Ahmer,
I am not sure where you checked about the Mir Zafer Oscar, however, here are the couple of link for you to read from "the New" and Wikipedia. If you need more link please goggle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mir_Zafar_Ali http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-97949-Fir…