thanks for posting this. Has anyone seen this movie ? or any ideas when is it gonna be out on DVD?

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GULF NEWS

Dubai: “I knew that it was a very important story to tell. Even though the funding was very difficult I just pushed ahead,” says Sabiha Sumar, the director of the film


Khamosh Pani (Silent Waters) has brought in a downpour of positive praise on the director Sabiha Sumar.

In addition to the excellent reviews from critics, it is also the winner of the Golden Leopard award at the Locarno International Film Festival in 2003.

The film is about Ayesha (Kirron Kher), who lives with her son Saleem (Aamir Malik) in a village in Punjab, Pakistan. It’s set during the period of martial law under General Zia-ul-Haq, when Saleem finds himself caught up in relegious fervour.

The arrival of Sikh pilgrims from India in the village, brings back memories from Ayesha’s past and complicates life further.

Sumar was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and studied filmmaking and political science in New York. She has produced documentaries for Channel Four Television and other European networks, but this is her first feature film.

In an interview via email, Sumar tells Tabloid what prompted her to make this film and why it was important to see it made.

Tabloid: A subject as sensitive as Khamosh Pani must have required a lot of planning and emotional prepartion. What inspired you to make this movie?
Sabiha Sumar: As early as 1997, I was quite sure that I wanted to make Khamosh Pani. I knew that it was a very important story to tell, so even though all the odds were against it and funding was very difficult I just pushed ahead.

When I say that all the odds were against it, I mean that I was known as a documentary filmmaker and the leap from documentary to fiction is always a big one.

On top of that I come from Pakistan where there is no state support for filmmaking - no grants, subsidies or anything - that could help a first time feature film director.

I could only rely on myself and my small company, Vidhi Films, to develop the project and bring it to a level where we could then apply for funding in Europe.

I feel I have a compass inside of me that guides me in the right direction - I knew Khamosh Pani was a great story and one that everyone should want to know.

Tabloid: Do you think the film has a universal appeal?
SS: Khamosh Pani has a universal appeal because it is the story of a mother and son.

The audience response tells me that people from different backgrounds have connected to the film. They tell me that they see Nazi Germany in the film, a woman told me that she sees Saleem in her own son who has decided to become a National Front member.

We are living in times of intense religious intolerance and Khamosh Pani is a wake up call to the world to say, don’t let extremism and religious intolerance take over our lives.

Tabloid: How did you feel after the fantastic response in Locarno? What was the most gratifying response you’ve received so far?
SS: Locarno was great but greater still was the Pakistani premiere in Wah village, where we shot the film. We had an open air screening where women, men and children in thousands came to watch the film.

Tabloid: Do you plan to apply for an Oscar nomination?
SS: We hope to apply for the Oscars in the new year.

Tabloid: Why did you decide on Kirron Kher to play the role of Ayesha?
SS: Kirron is a wonderful actress. I had seen her work in Sardari Begum and Bariwali and liked her very much. I feel she was best suited to the role of Ayesha.

Tabloid: There’s a lot of hype surrounding the fact that you’re a Pakistani national and Kirron Kher is an Indian actress. Does this have any significance?
SS: I would cast any actor from anywhere if it suits my film. I was not at all aware of Kirron as an Indian actress - I think she makes a great Ayesha and that’s what is most important.

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