Documentary 'Outlawed in Pakistan' brings Emmy home
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Outlawed in Pakistan, a short film made by PakistanI-Canadian journalist Habiba Nosheen and German journalist Hilke Schellmann, has won an Emmy Award for it's heart-wrenching story of a rape survivor, Kainat Soomro.
The story portrays the young Pakistani girl who was allegedly raped on her way back home from school by four men in a rural village in Sindh. The 45-minute film was one of the 15 short documentary films to be screened at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and was also aired on PBS Frontline.
According to PBS, the documentary addresses deep rooted issues in Pakistan's society: "In Pakistan, women and girls who allege rape are often more strongly condemned than their alleged rapists. Some are even killed by their own families. For this unforgettable documentary, filmmakers Habiba Nosheen and Hilke Schellmann spent years tracing one alleged rape victim's odyssey through Pakistan’s flawed justice system—as well as her alleged rapists' quest to clear their names."
Nosheen and Schellmann followed Kainat on her journey for justice in a deeply flawed and morally bankrupt justice system for four years.
"To be honest, we were also struck by a teenager who was that outspoken and determined. There’s something special about the way she’s been able to be so public about an issue that’s such a taboo in Pakistan, and that you don’t see often in Pakistan," the dynamic duo told PBS.
Talking to Dawn.com, Associate Producer Muhamamd Ali Sheikh said, "When I first heard about this project I was really moved by this little girl's story and I immediately wanted to get on board. It was a tough challenge and also a dangerous one. But it was important to tell this story."
About winning the award he said that it's a great honour for the whole team and is a recognition for the art-form which is rarely in the spotlight.
"Winning the Emmy was a surprise and for me it just reinforced my belief in why we must continue to tell stories from Pakistan," he added.
Sheikh was approached by Nosheen and Schellmann in 2013 and he knew that he had to be a part of the film because Kainat's story had to be told – and told well.
Talking about rape in a society that turns a blind eye to the offence not only made Kainat vulnerable to persecution but also her family; her brother was murdered, her father was repeatedly assaulted. The family was shunned from their home and forced to relocate to Karachi but they did not give up.
The gut-wrenching portrayal of Kainat's story and struggle earned the documentary an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Informational Programming — Long Form & Outstanding Research, which also resulted in a win.
The team that worked on the documentary included a few Pakistani journalists, a couple of whom shared the news of their big Emmy win via Twitter and Instagram.
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| The team of 'Outlawed in Pakistan' celebrate their win. – Photo courtesy Mohammad Ali's Instagram |
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| Associate Producer Mohamamd Ali with Hilke Schellmann. -Photo courtesy Mohammad Ali's Facebook account. |
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On DawnNews
Comments (81) Closed
Oct 01, 2014 05:35pm
Defame Pakistan and win awards .
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Oct 01, 2014 06:08pm
@Beena Siddiqui What kind of a comment is that. You should be angry at what is going on in Pakistan instead of being angry at the film makers. They actually did good for Pakistan by making people aware. Is your idea of fixing Pakistan to just put your head in the sand?
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Oct 01, 2014 06:09pm
@Beena Siddiqui
I m shocked to read your comment. You are a woman and don't support woman cause in MAN DOMINATED society like Pakistan.. Shame !!!
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Oct 01, 2014 06:09pm
What about the poor child?
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Oct 01, 2014 06:28pm
@Beena Siddiqui
So what have you done lately to fix the problems?
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Oct 01, 2014 06:31pm
this is a very rich topic they can make movies everyday on this topic and win Oscar too
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Oct 01, 2014 06:32pm
@Beena Siddiqui Can't face the truth?? This is our national character now, hide behind denial or find a way to denounce the truth.
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Oct 01, 2014 06:32pm
@Beena Siddiqui My dear lady you can condemn the producer and the whole team as much you can but the truth is they just shown the ugly face of Justice system in Pakistan. Tell me where they fabricated or defamed our society, instead they have shown us the truth about the terrible ordeal in which victim goes through.
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Oct 01, 2014 06:34pm
Well, Ms. Beena Siddiui, why don't you fame Pakistan by making it a model of law, order and justice; or do you want to allege that it already is??? Raising awareness about deplorable situations is the first step to improvement but only if the message about a bad situation is percieved with empathy and understanding. Denial of it like you exhibit it will never bring improvement.
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Oct 01, 2014 06:36pm
@Beena Siddiqui Oh yes, otherwise we know what kind of reputation Pakistan has around the world !
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Oct 01, 2014 06:45pm
The joy and smiles in photograph reflect little connection with the pain of victim. Was she a mere character for fame hungry filmographers.
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Oct 01, 2014 06:51pm
Bravo to Kainat Soomro and the filmmakers!
To Ms. Siddiqui, I just checked the meaning of "defame". It means to "damage the good reputation of (someone); slander or libel." Libel or slander, in turn, mean "the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation."
First of all, Pakistan unfortunately does not enjoy a good reputation in the world for anything other than maybe footballs. Secondly, what the filmmakers are showing is the truth which happens daily in our society. The first step towards solving a problem is to realize that there is a problem. Sexual abuse is not only prevalent in the villages but also in cities. I myself have been bumped into and touched inappropriately by darzi's, random shopkeepers, even male servants growing up in my affluent home in a big city. Nobody is safe. Unless we bring this issue to the forefront and talk about it, things will remain the same. It's not about defaming Pakistan. It's about taking steps to protect Pakistanis.
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Oct 01, 2014 06:57pm
@Beena Siddiqui Truth is a bitter pill. Pakistan should learn to swallow it. Our state of affairs now is the result of our actions since our creation, our state in the future would be result of our actions NOW.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:02pm
@Beena Siddiqui Moran
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Oct 01, 2014 07:03pm
@Beena Siddiqui The dignity of its nation stems from the dignity of its women. This does not defame Pakistan, but rather shows a ray of hope. In this aspect, one could appreciate India for talking aloud about rapes, regardless of the short-term notoriety it brings in international circles. Didn't think I would have needed to explain a woman about the importance of raising voice against rapes and persecution of rape victims.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:04pm
@Beena Siddiqui : That's correct. Pakistan bashing has become very popular and award winning game.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:09pm
@Beena Siddiqui It's much better that rape goes unpunished and the culture in which it's victims are considered the criminal is preserved.
Defemation happens when rape goes unpunished by society, not by when the injustice is spoken of.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:10pm
@Beena Siddiqui and let these girls suffer. Wha bahi wha
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Oct 01, 2014 07:15pm
@Beena Siddiqui : "Defame Pakistan and win awards ."
We have been hiding the truth for too long, and just look at where that has got us.
Hiding the truth has made the perpetrators for such crimes more strong, and the victims more weak.
Maybe dealing with the truth may force us to fix the situation.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:15pm
@Beena Siddiqui But its a fact what is going in Pakistan you never know until you are or you become a part of it ,It happens every day in Pakistan poor have no writes and rich or in power can do any thing.they can rape ,can get kill etc.The son os politicker if
they like an actress ,they compel her by one way or other to stay with them,and after kick them.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:16pm
@Beena Siddiqui What do you mean by defame? … rape is a real issue and innocent girls must be protected. Our justice system has to do something about it in a meaningful way.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:16pm
@Beena Siddiqui
Defaming what they are looking for! But it is for us to ponder how well we need to implement Allah's Hudoode not to let rapits Scot Free.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:17pm
@Beena Siddiqui Tell the truth, try to change the system by education, and others will respect you and applause
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Oct 01, 2014 07:25pm
This poor and brave woman and hundreds - maybe even thousands - more like her have been let down by our hypocritical society and our joke of a judicial system. Kudos to this team for making a documentary about her struggle and highlighting the plight of others like her. @Beena Siddiqui if people don't make these documentaries, the struggles of these women will never be documented for history and will be forgotten. 'Defaming' Pakistan is less important than a rape victim's tale. As a woman, you should at least show some compassion
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Oct 01, 2014 07:29pm
@Beena Siddiqui Its not defamation. Its the truth. You really do not know what happens in Pakistan. We are all cowards who are just keeping quiet after all whats happening. Why does our government do not do anything to resolve this kind of issues? Our so called 'servants of democracy', why don't they solve these issues first?
Where are the Islamic rules (if its an islamic country). Where are the modern world rules (if its a secular/modern country)? If there are rules, why don't they get implemented? When this favoritism and "wadera-geeri" and "khandaani baadshahat" will end???
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Oct 01, 2014 07:38pm
@Beena Siddiqui Award-winning Pakistan.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:45pm
@Beena Siddiqui that is right!! your comment echos with sentiment which hides truth of society. Rape victims mostly face trauma even after surviving the initial ordeal. If someone tells that truth, it s not crime and in doing so if they get award....... then one should award is for courage to tell the truth, doing what others don't have courage to. This will bring plight of rape victim in the open, as family usually shun their daughters, hide it.
As in medicine, to treat a disease you need to expose and study then you know the extent of its spread, then you can treat and get rid of it. If at first if you don't even acknowledge, how will you improve the society??
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Oct 01, 2014 07:51pm
I have said it before. As it is, this is the only news that gets out of Pakistan and this is the only thing that opens the world's eyes and ears, this is the only news the world WANTS to read from Pakistan, and then, our own people feel proud with these awards.
Look at the world media today. How long has the Hong Kong protest been going on? How many people are protesting? It is all over the news. Does the world know ANYTHING about the PTI/TAQ protests of Pakistan, whether justified or not?
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Oct 01, 2014 07:57pm
Whoever says it is to defame Pakistan is not thinking right. If this movie brings even a 1% change in dealing with these kind of issue then the producers have done their job. Congratulations.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:58pm
@ Beena rightly said, Let's see any documentary showing the positive side of Pakistani society winning an award. Shame on people like Mohammad Ali and Nosheen who take pride in winning laurels by bashing the very land they live on. imtiazahd77@gmail.com
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Oct 01, 2014 07:59pm
There is no shame in acknowledging the perennial societal issues. Recognizing the problem is half the solution. Congratulations.
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Oct 01, 2014 07:59pm
Truth is never defaming - it is the beginning of something better
Congratulations !
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Oct 01, 2014 07:59pm
bath tu sach hai magar bath hai ruswai kee...
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Oct 01, 2014 08:09pm
The headline of this article needs to change. No emmy was brought 'home' because one of the journalist is Canadian (of Pak descent) and other is German.
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Oct 01, 2014 08:12pm
@Beena Siddiqui
I am utterly shocked by your response, cant believe how ignorant people can be. I think we should be defamed for our barbaric behaviour towards women. These problems in our society should be discussed in open to stop them, by ignoring them we will not make them disappear. I wish we get better at accepting our flaws as a society and try to correct them instead of blaming the people who have the courage to expose them. I hope this poor girl gets justice one day. Please just read her story (and countless others) and you will realise how perfect our Pakistan is.
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Oct 01, 2014 08:21pm
@Beena Siddiqui & Ganga Din - You will rather live in wilful ignorance? Your attitude defames Pakistan than tackling the issues head on. This film did it, hence got appreciated with an award.
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Oct 01, 2014 08:32pm
I don't quite see the triumph in this. Coming from India, where as you guys so gleefully point out, rape is a national shame, I think the above photos are just disgusting. Sure, make films if it helps spread awareness, but to post such photos just below a trailer showing the poor girl seems to me in very poor taste. If bringing an Emmy "home" is worth this, how many Pakistanis (or for that matter Indians) would be proud of it?
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Oct 01, 2014 08:33pm
@Pasha There are many positive stories in Pakistan waiting to be told, but i guess those can't fetch awards. Making movies with aim to get international recognition and awards is simple mediocrity.
I wish some one can make a movie on Edhi Saheb people like him are rare to find in this world. The way he started from cleaning streets to establishing country's largest Ambulance service. How he used to wash bodies found in Nullah by his own hands etc etc... Guys winning awards is very easy , what matters is winning hearts. But who cares.
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Oct 01, 2014 08:59pm
@Beena Siddiqui Its not a matter of defamation, its already defamed nation not only in the western world but also in the Arab world. This is the plight of our society. See, what happened to a executive of a big company/investment in Pakistan. He was fired from his job because he prevented/forbid a VIP to enter the plane because the VIP was late, the passengers were held because of the VIP and the entire episode was captured on his cellular.
Is it opprobrium? Absolutely not.
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Oct 01, 2014 09:07pm
" filmmakers Habiba Nosheen and Hilke Schellmann spent years tracing one alleged rape victim's odyssey through Pakistan’s flawed justice system—as well as her alleged rapists' quest to clear their names."
One to many allegations...don't you think...with no proof or facts worthy of a conviction. And a whole award winning movie based on the fiction.
Err, beg your pardon...alleged fiction!
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Oct 01, 2014 09:14pm
@Pasha:"You are a woman and don't support woman cause in MAN DOMINATED society like Pakistan.. Shame !!!"
True...she is a woman. And proud of it. No wonder she does not want a woman exploited for selfish lies and ends. This movie is pandering to the propaganda band wagon against Pakistan.
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Oct 01, 2014 09:20pm
@Beena Siddiqui I understand what you mean. We must work for change from within .. these emmy's and whatever will NOT fix the problem. This is indeed part of the global 'anti-muslim country conspiracy' to justify the military attacks and media defamation. [I am appalled at the 'bateesian' smiles on the folks associated with the film/ award ... they are getting fame at the cost of the poor woman]. IF these people were to dedicate ALL earnings from the film towards an education program on this, and other related topics I would applaud. But I seriously doubt they will take that path .. they will enter more shows, and waste any goodwill. Like that Sharmin woman. Like the producers of Slumdog Millionaire. All out to take advantage
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Oct 01, 2014 09:25pm
@Beena Siddiqui: You are the only one here to have seen through the charade. The only one who has pointed out that the emperor has no clothes !
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Oct 01, 2014 09:29pm
I believe that it is small steps such as these which slowly but surely improve the society and hence the nation.Overnight revolutions just pass the reigns of power from "a corrupt" to "corrupt to be",while the core of nation remains untransformed.
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Oct 01, 2014 09:35pm
@Beena Siddiqui yes beena you are right. These guys has nothing to do with the girl. They just want awards. They will get awards and the money but did they share spoils with the poor girl. I think not.
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Oct 01, 2014 09:40pm
the film-maker doesnt look pakistani at all.. and all those supporting them are 'parhay likhay jahil'
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Oct 01, 2014 09:53pm
Let’s not this be turned in Beena Siqqiqui who is obviously looking for some attention. The documentary won an Emmy for its cinematic value and not the subject matter. Please learn to differentiate. It’s not that difficult.
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Oct 01, 2014 10:33pm
Stop bashing Beena Siddiqui please. This is a free forum and everyone has a right to express one's opinion whether you like it or not. Love from Ludhiana!
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Oct 01, 2014 11:33pm
@Beena Siddiqui,when you discuss the realities that are being faced by the women of Pakistan(our mothers and sisters)and try to bring out the truth about our society,thats a good thing.You are forgetting one very important fact Beena,women are a big part of this land we all call home.Now imagine someone close to you going thru it,what would you do?????? Women deserve the same respect if not more than men,everyone wants to empower women,it has to start with respect first.Your comment is shocking.
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Oct 02, 2014 12:28am
@Beena Siddiqui It's mindset like yours that is reinforcing people to do whatever wrong they have been doing. The rape victim never brings shame to anyone. The people who highlight such issue do not bring shame to the country. Its the monsters in the society who dont spare anyone. Its the society that treats rape victim as impure and holds her responsible for the wrong been done to her. The defamation lies in the evils of the society. Even if Pakistan is defamed and because of that a rape victim gets justice, i would say go for it.
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Oct 02, 2014 01:12am
@Ifti Dude, they are happy because the film won an award, not because she was gang raped. Did any part of you feel that they might be happy there will be more awareness of an issue and therefore more impetus to fix it? Seriously.....
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Oct 02, 2014 01:41am
I think, the award goes, in reality, to the courage of the Sindhi Lady KAINAT SOOMRO for speaking so clearly, for fighting for her honor in the village, and for her legitimate rights in the various courts of Sindh. I salute to her courage.
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Oct 02, 2014 01:46am
And why was it not shown in Pakistan. In the new Pakistan, we have the confidence to take on crime head on and clean it up. In the old Pakistan it is to be hidden and pretend all is well, like as it is done in a neighboring country but the difference is we are Muslims and seek the truth to stop the evil.
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Oct 02, 2014 02:38am
Great effort, hats of to the makers of this short film. I hope the producer share the income (money) from this film with girl.
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Oct 02, 2014 02:47am
@Beena Siddiqui, you would not have said it if either you, or any of your loved one was the victim in this case (instead of kainat soomro)
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Oct 02, 2014 04:43am
@Beena Siddiqui A despicable comment with amazing ignorance and lack of sensitivity.
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Oct 02, 2014 04:55am
Some one needs to make a documentary on Child abuse and incest in Pakistan.
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Oct 02, 2014 05:33am
we should highlight the problems that we have in our society by making such documentries
instead of hiding them.By highlighting we can bring the change.Awareness in people will increase and we can improve our society
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Oct 02, 2014 05:53am
@Pasha "This movie is pandering to the propaganda band wagon against Pakistan."
So the truth hurts, stop putting Pakistan's head in the sand. They want to change the system to show, that the victims are not criminals so justice can prevail, if this was someone closer to you I doubt you would react like this. This is not a propaganda against Pakistan, it is against the Justice in Pakistan.
Here are some of the Head Lines in the local newspapers:
1. Pakistani gang rape victim Amina Bibi dies after setting herself on fire.
2. Did you forget Mukhtaran Bibi. The accused were also acquitted.
There are a lot more if you dare to do the research and care for Pakistan, this is not for Pakistan only it is for the entire world that does this to its citizens. Any condemnation for the criminals? I hope they rot in jail.
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Oct 02, 2014 07:52am
@Beena Siddiqui Sentiments like yours are precisely why we are where we are - Rape is the problem, the thing that 'defames' us - not speaking out about it. When injustices are swept under the carpet, societies and countries rot from within. Patriotism isn't blindly, ignorantly, following a set of unjust rules. Real patriotism is speaking out, LOUDLY, about what is wrong with our own country and how to fix it rather than finding others to blame in every single instance. But then, blaming everyone else is always easier isn't it?
P.S Well done to the film makers.
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Oct 02, 2014 08:30am
Pakistanis love public virtue and private vices
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Oct 02, 2014 09:12am
@Beena Siddiqui Fully Agree, these so called Pakistani liberals are using the western bias against Pakistan to sell their product which is highlight only negatives as if crimes do not happen in US or India...
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Oct 02, 2014 09:34am
kainat was brave enough to tell her story because there are girls who dont even want to repeat what happened but then there are people who take this as a negative sign for pakistan
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Oct 02, 2014 09:59am
we cant ignore the truth that there are also good things in Pakistan goin on, why don we focus on that and build a better image of Pakistan internationally. this documentary is true story but award goes to emotional impact of the story which will not be necessarily helping the poor girl.
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Oct 02, 2014 10:31am
Great job to the "Outlawed in Pakistan" team! You have made a great documentary on an important topic. It is such a shame that in Pakistan, that instead of the rapists we blame the victims.
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Oct 02, 2014 01:11pm
How is telling the world our social problems helping us? We should be fixing ourselves. But of course telling the world our rotting state helps win an oscar. And then we have a certain lot proud of the oscar. Getting that western stamp is what we live for.
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Oct 02, 2014 02:39pm
Whether this documentary wins awards or not, the topic is sad and the it is tragic for the victim. This happens in Pakistan and everywhere else in the world. The only way to minimize this is to have justice for the victim
If there is no justice, then we will have 100 more such documentaries.
Though the producers of this film, should donate % of the earnings to the victim to make their life better
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Oct 02, 2014 02:39pm
Thanks but No Thanks to all , for NOT understanding my point. This documentary is NOT helping for any betterment in the situation. It is just helping the producer and director to get a foreign award. That's the take out of my initial message.
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Oct 02, 2014 02:54pm
@Beena Siddiqui : I fully endorse your point of view....
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Oct 02, 2014 03:49pm
What beena is trying to say is that there is a lot of good that happens in pakistan that also needs to be spoken about. Social ills exist in every society but the only way pakistan has managed to make a mark in the arts is through depicting the oppressed women and/or war. There is so much more to Pakistan
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Oct 02, 2014 03:52pm
Smilling faces! They are happy that they have built beautiful palace on the ruins of turbat of a poor girl. shame on these smily faces they themselves do not have feeling of ordeal of victim
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Oct 02, 2014 05:43pm
Defame Pakistan??? You've got to be joking, Beena!
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Oct 02, 2014 05:44pm
@Kabir Sidhu - not bashing anyone! Simply stating my opinion.
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Oct 03, 2014 01:57am
@Beena Siddiqui - "This documentary is NOT helping for any betterment in the situation". Really? In that case such horrors that we read in Dawn or victims protesting against justice not given shouldn't be in the news either in case others come to know about it. Let's hush the bad news. This is precisely what is already happening. That's why victims commit suicide. But it seems embarrassment for you is worse than rape or life. So, what "betterment"? There can never be with your convoluted way of thinking.
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Oct 03, 2014 04:34am
@Beena Siddiqui
You are missing the point, the producer and director got the award for bringing forward and issue that is prevalent in our society. They worked on this project for four years, they did not do it for the award, they did it because they felt that this story needs to be told, not only to the people in Pakistan but the rest of the world. When an injustice is done, everybody should support the victim, The country fails when nothing is done about it, maybe this will wake the country up.
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Oct 03, 2014 08:03am
@Beena Siddiqui keep a blind eye and pretend nothings wrong? its not that she got raped that defames pakistan.. it happens in every society. Its how you treat the victim and the criminals is what brings us shame.
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Oct 03, 2014 06:10pm
Well....I agree with Beena Sadique.
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Oct 03, 2014 06:12pm
Well....I agree with beena sadiqui
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Oct 04, 2014 12:16pm
@Beena Siddiqui these are facts not defamation, you as a woman should be the first to say this violence and injustice against our sisters and daughters should be stopped. The rapists are defaming Pakistan, wake up!!!!
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Oct 05, 2014 10:37am
Bravo Beena siddiqui......You are absolutely right......Projecting the wrong that has happened and doing something to make it right are two different things....These producers are just defaming us.....what efforts have they made to stop rape cases.......They are just happy in making money by projecting negative things about Pakistan...
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Oct 05, 2014 11:47am
One persons misery, a joy for so many.
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