ISTANBUL, 28 October 2018: Pakistan Chowk, a documentary film by
Mahera Omar, had its world premiere at the 12th Istanbul International
Architecture and Urban Films Festival.
Situated in the heart of the historic Arambagh neighbourhood,
the once vibrant community space in Karachi had in recent years become a
favourite jaunt of drug addicts and a dumping ground for trash. The documentary
is about an urban intervention by architect and heritage consultant Marvi
Mazhar to bring the pre-partition era chowk back to its former charm.
“Homes were small back then. Women would bring home cooked meals
in the evenings and have dinner with their husbands when they came back from
work. Girls played on the roundabout, their scarves tied around their necks,
playing childhood games. It was a lively place before the authorities made a
mess of it” says Masood ul Hasan, tailor and owner at Tailor de Pak to Marvi in
the film. “Do what you will, the chowk will stay as it is”, he adds as she
tells him about her plan to rehabilitate the neglected space.
“When I heard about Marvi taking on such an important urban
intervention, I wanted to make a film about her efforts to engage the local community
in taking back ownership of their beloved chowk (public square), says director
Mahera Omar. “We need such projects to make Karachi a more liveable place
again”.
In attendance were architects, urban planners, film buffs,
students from the Urdu department of Istanbul University and Pakistanis working
in Turkey. The director Mahera Omar, who previously won an award for best
documentary (second prize) for Perween Rahman: The Rebel Optimist at the same
festival, was present at the screening.
Further information and photos from Facebook.com/PakistanChowkFilm
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