Despair For Dummies

Outline of the film opening Idea

15 days into Ramadan and half way into mocks, you can guess just how beautiful life seems at the moment. After spending most days letting the film clips rot in my beloved (sisters) camera I decided to start editing them on da Vinci resolve. Now, I’d like to address the elephant in the room. What’s the story and how does it work it’s way into our film.

It’s quite simple actually (it’s not) the story of Laila and Hassan begins when they’re both in their childhood. Marking their innocence and joy, they grow up in a land isolated from involvement in politics and capitalism, their adults are well aware of violence and politics in Pakistan but up until they’re life gets affected by the same stories they heard of in the village they don’t understand how it feels to be free.

You know, hunger reminds the body of its need for food. Thirst reminds makes us value water. Shackles make us value freedom. What really is freedom? Is it just an illusion? When are you truly free? Is it when you’re born and unaware of any tragedies? Is it when you’re aware of all the tragedies? Is it when we can speak without hesitation? Is it when we can walk without fear? Is it when everything is available to us? Or is it when we find us a bigger cage? Truth is we are never truly free, we choose our own cages. Some people don’t like theirs in silver so they paint it gold but when do we truly open the cage? That was the idea I wanted to explore.

I’m attaching a presentation for a better understanding and visual effects (incase you’re bored from all the words)

Okay, before you question me on the feminism slide, I’ll explain.

(Bear with me) In Pakistani cinema, we often witness women in more limited roles. Women who are either victims, gold diggers, villains or obsessed with the man. This is the reason why for the 5 years I did theatre I never ended up with any female leads. Truth is, the woman are constantly crying about their situation and orbit around the man for support. At some point even I stopped believing I was more than that. After various arguments I promised myself no matter what happens women in my script will be strong. Our female lead is a poet who gains fame after her separation from her beloved friend.

Criticized for her work, she writes about all the things that are taboo, romance, politics and womanhood. She speaks for the woman without letting her femininity go. She isn’t loud, she isn’t always leading yet, she is soft and resilient.

Incase I don’t see you, good morning, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight!