KARACHI: “Barefoot”, the first feature documentary on football highlighting the passion for the game in Pakistan among the underprivileged sections of society, especially women and minorities, premiered at the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) ground here on Saturday evening.

An Outfield Productions presentation, “Barefoot”, while focusing on the main areas that have served as the breeding grounds for football in Pakistan, takes into account the experiences of former, current and players,  coaches, referees, match commissioners, minority groups and sports reporters.

For it is through their combined efforts that the  football, kicked initially in the country’s south, is gradually carried up the map through frequent passes until it reaches the north.

“Barefoot is all about carrying on with the game in the face of adversity,” director and producer Khalid Hasan Khan tells Dawn.

This is the third football documentary in the production house’s four presentations to date, namely, “An Early Sunset”, “The Last Refuge of the Afghans” and “Iron Slaves”, which focused on the ship-breaking industry at Gaddani.

“But it happens to be the first Pakistani feature documentary on football,” Khalid says about the 153-minute long film.

The film has been shot and produced without any financial aid on a high-definition camera.

“I only have my Outfield Productions’ volunteers to thank for...their time and effort,” concluded the talented movie-maker, who ran into many difficulties while self-financing the project.