Northern California Premiere of 'The Long Night'

To those that are in the San Francsico bay area, Third I is looking to hold an additional screening of this movie.

I saw the first screening in San Francisco and I must say, I was quite pleased with the effort put forth by Third I.

I have been watching Pakistani TV dramas for many years and would like to point out that most of the characters in the movie especially the older police officer, Walleed (Faisal Rehman) and Fareeha Naz (Nadia Jamil) are seasoned Pakistani TV actors.

The movie was amazingly well produced considering the shoestring budget. There was lots of irony mixed with cynicism and sarcasm portrayed in the roles played by the villians Baqar Khan (Arif Hasan) and his associate.

The movie was fast paced and quite well written and the direction was pinpoint as well. What dissapointed me the most is the acting of both Faisal Rehman and Nadia Jamil considering their acting experience. I felt that Faisal stumbled through many of his lines and was sometimes amateurish and Nadia Jamil was her usual rigid self. Her acting has improved since her role in the famous TV play Aur Zindagi Badalti Hai (based in Spain) but she still seems uni-dimensional and incapable of showing the range of emotions as required by her role in this movie.

Even with the sub-par acting of the stars, the movie was still fun to watch. I would recommend to those waiting to see it to do so!

I actually saw this movie about a month ago when it played at the USC auditorium in Los Angeles and i was blown away. The acting is brilliant and the production quality is great for such a low budget movie (15000 dollars). There were a lot of non-desi people in the audience and they were the ones laughing the hardest. Definately try and see this film if it comes to your city....

Tanks, Ras! This was very good. I`d love to watch this movie. Is it available in DVD or VHS?

I am glad that The Nation newspaper in Lahore was able to
publish an edited version of this review.
Raat is scheduled to be screened again in the San Francisco Bay Area
very soon. Please keep an eye on the 3rd I webpage at:

http://www.thirdi.org/screenings.html

RE: Urstruly #10

Malir was depicted as anything but romantic. And as far as hamidm is concerned, Malir is not the place to find a fine Merlot or even Shiraz.

Ras Siddiqui

http://www.thelongnight.info/

Ras,

This script for this movie was written by a friend of a friend (Omer R. should have more info on him). The writer, I believe was actually in the Air Force for about five years, as a pilot or under training, before he went on to journalism. He is now working for BBC.

I missed the movie in San Francisco. Do you know if it will be shown anywhere else?

Ras,

Great Review...I heard about this movie from a friend in San Fran and through that, I discovered the website. Unfortunately, no word yet on when they`ll surface the movie in Houston but it really sounds kickass. I`m so glad that Pakistanis are finally moving towards experimental cinema--and getting great reviews apparently!

Sara

Ras

I am tempted to see this movie because it will reminisce my karachi days. Is it shot at actual locations in Karachi or is it all sets. I am asking this because one of the character in this movie is asking other to meet in Malir for a romantic rendevouz - yaar you know it and I know it that with Bahains Colony (Cow colony) at one end and malerial mosqueto infested marshes of Malir Nadi on the other end, Malir is not a very good place for a romantic tryst. However, I would recommend Malir to hamidm for the desi liquor which is fermented behind the mountains of cow dung in bhains colony and transported around the city in milk pails.

LadyAna: I am cooled down, chilled out, and completely relaxed! :)
you should stop rolling your eyes, or else they might stay that way!

anyways, I think ``3rd I`` is a really neat name. It feels good to know that Pakistani movies are being promoted around the world with subtitles for all to see.

shanzeh & srihdar - this an an art movie they`re talking about. It`s not commercial. so cool down, there is no comparison to Dilwale Dulhani Ley Jaingey or Devdas here. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the review and info; will be looking out for this movie...

i am sick of watching Indian movies with the same actors and the same actresses and the same singers and the same songwriters. it gets monotonous after a while. not only that, the titles of Indian movies get sickening after a while....
anyhow, this movie sounds different from the typical themes of Lollywood and Bollywood, or maybe its just your review that makes it sound so interesting! now i have to figure out HOW to watch this movie sitting in Egypt..................... what a dilemma.

and #4rsridhar...just remember...it wasn`t Pakistan that created the thing called Govinda....that was India`s fault!!

Ras,
Who cares even if you tell the storyline. Few will see this movie, so bad is the pak`s reputatation of making a decent movie. I watched several movies in New York with my pakistani friend and all were Hindi movies. When i suggested that we watch a Pakisani movie for a change, my friend looked at me with incredulity like i was possessed with a ghost!
Pakistanis ban Indian movies in Pak but colloborate with Indians abroad! It is one of those anomolies that plague our relationships. Is this movie going to be any different from run of the mill bollywood movies? I doubt it.
Sridhar

Thanks Ras now I want to see this movie too. Though too early to comment the plot seems similar to the Sharukh Khan starrer made by Ketan Mehta, in which all the action takes place during the course of one night in Bombay.
Subroto

good review Ras...i heard the movie was already aired on Indus Vision in Karachi...and to think i missed it :(