Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy all set for Oscars as new documentary film gets shortlisted
The film's name being included in Top Ten Documentary Films for the Oscars is an honor in itself.
LAHORE (WebDesk) – Pakistan’s renowned journalist and Oscar winning inspirational filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s once again looks all set to win the prestigious Oscar award as her new documentary film “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” was shortlisted for the 88th Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in the category of “Best Documentary-Short Subject” from across the globe.
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The film’s name being included in the Top Ten Documentary Films for the Oscars is a tremendous award in itself as Chinoy proves once again that Pakistan is not to be taken lightly in the world of arts and creative endeavors. Chinoy will be eyeing the Oscars with a reminiscent stare, as the filmmaker’s last documentary “Saving Face” in 2012 managed to sway the audience, convincing them that Chinoy had truly stolen the show and bestowing her with the illustrious laurel at the 84th Academy Awards.
Chinoys latest broadcast, a Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy (SOC) films and Home Box Office (HBO) joint production, is a commentary on the dubious and questionable act of “Honor Killings” that has long plagued the subcontinent including Pakistan. With renowned journalist Tina Brown and distinguished documentary filmmaker Sheila Nevans as Executive Producers, the film looks ready to raise some eyebrows in the conservative society where women have long suffered throughout the history, honor killing being just one of the persecutions.
The film is based on the story of an eighteen year old girl, a survivor of the horrific honor killing attempt, who recounts the atrocious event and her tale of romance. Known locally as “Karo-Kari” the barbaric act claims thousands of victims each year. The killing is seen as a means of restoring honor in the family household which they believe a girl has destroyed and brought dishonor to the family name. Over 4000 cases were reported in Pakistan between 1998 and 2004, with the highest rates being in Punjab followed by Sindh.
On the completion of her latest creative piece, Chinoy was highly content with her work stating:
“A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness" is a film that resonates with me deeply. It’s a film about the kinds of choices we women have in the world and how our lives are impacted by the decisions taken by others.”
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is the only Pakistani filmmaker ever to win both an ‘Academy Award’ and an ‘Emmy Award’ and the first non-American to win a ‘Livingston Award for Young Journalists’. Chinoy has directed numerous films, each one a creative masterpiece, with fans all over the world appreciating her highly critical work. She has won numerous rewards for her work in more than 10 different countries. Her documentaries have aired on major television networks including CNN, Channel 4, PBS, HBO, CBC, the Discovery Channel, Arte and SBS.
Chinoy was named in Times magazine among “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2012, She was awarded the ‘Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal’ by the Canadian government and was bestowed with a ‘Crystal Award’ by the World Economic Forum for her works.
