As part of a new touring package of Pakistani films LIFF presents a special screening with panel discussion.
Song of Lahore examines the lives and the cultural heritage of some of Pakistan's classical musicians, and asks whether there is still room for them in a society roiled by social and religious upheaval. After toiling in obscurity for years, an innovative album leads Sachal Studios to international acclaim, and a triumphant concert with Wynton Marsalis and his orchestra at Jazz at Lincoln Center. This feature length documentary by Academy Award winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Andy Schocken follows their dramatic journey, and asks if they will ever find an audience at home.
Presented by London Indian Film Festival in association with HOME's Not Just Bollywood programme.
Supported by the BFI, using funds from the National Lottery and the Association for Kashmiri Arts.
This screening will be accompanied by a panel discussion on celebrating UK Pakistani and Pakistani film-making with speakers including Anjum Malik, Ishy Din and Dr Shakoor.
Anjum Malik is an established scriptwriter, poet and performer, Anjum has written several much-acclaimed original plays for BBC, ITV and theatre in UK. She is a regular creative writing tutor for leading literary organisations in UK and overseas. She is also a lecturer in creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, England, UK. Over 70 of her scripts have been produced, transmitted or preformed so far. Her previous jobs include police officer, interpreter, sales person, business owner and classical Indian Kathak dancer. She was born in Saudi Arabia and has lived in Pakistan as well several cities in England. Anjum is multi lingual and currently based in Manchester, UK. She was a Visiting Teaching Fellow at the Manchester Writing School for several years and delivered workshops at the Emirates Festival of Literature on behalf of the school. Anjum joined Manchester Met as a Lecturer in Creative Writing in January 2017.
Ishy Din is currently under commission from the RSC for a new play about the Mughals. His most recent play, APPROACHING EMPTY, a co-production between Tamasha/The Kiln/Live Theatre, Newcastle opened at The Kiln in London in January 2019 and tours until April. In 2018 TAXI TALES, produced by Tamasha, was broadcast on BBC2 as part of BBC LIVE, (BAC/ACE/BBC) live theatre broadcast. In 2016/2017, Ishy wrote on C4 series ACKLEY BRIDGE, eps in series 1 & 2 and took part in the prestigious Media XChange Advanced Writing For Television Drama Programme. In 2016, his play WIPERS, a Leicester Curve/Watford Palace/Belgrade, Coventry co-production toured to those three theatres. In 2015/16 Ishy developed MIDNIGHT DREAMS, an original drama pilot under the BBC TV Drama Writers Programme. Other original projects in development include feature film, FRAUD, through Gurinder Chadha's company Bend It Networks and PAAK UNITED, with producer Paul Kewley, both projects development funded by Creative England.