8 Pakistani Films You Should Watch
1. Laal Kabootar
Genre: Crime thriller
Duration: 1hour 42 minutes
Year: 2019
Rating: 7.8
Director: Kamal Khan
Writer: Ali Abbas Naqvi (Screenwriter)
A crime thriller based in the city of Karachi is already a very intriguing scenario and then you add some great actors and a great director like Kamal Khan it becomes a must-watch. What Kamal Khan has done with Laal Kabootar is something which more established and esteemed directors in Pakistani cinema have yet to do: provide something new.
Directed by debutante Kamal Khan, “Laal Kabootar” is such a cinematic piece that drags its viewer into the darker side of Karachi. Though Karachiites are well acquainted with this darker shade of the city the one who carries only surface knowledge of this megacity may have his or her shock of life after witnessing the events on the silver screen and those events are blunt and ruthless. These are the elements that make “Laal Kabootar” such content no one has dared to show on the silver screen before. No one can do it if he or she has not tasted the real essence of Karachi and Kamal Khan has done it. Along with Kamal Khan, the producers of the film Hania Cheema and Kamil Cheema must be commended for taking on such an uphill task at their young age.
Laal Kabootar shows the talent and thought is there in Pakistani cinema, it just needs to be explored. A movie that deviates from the norm focuses on the story and has beautiful cinematography, Laal Kabootar is in a class of its own. The main thing is the direction in this movie, it breathes the city of Karachi, the story is fast-paced you will never be thinking about something else. Even the side characters are so well performed and their story is intense too. Laal Kabootar will make you regain your faith in the Pakistani cinema.
On the whole, “Laal Kabootar” is a film with a gripping narrative, realistic treatment, and impeccable performances. The way Kamal Khan has carved out his first film project will not be an exaggeration to say that if Oliver Stone would have come to Pakistan to make a film on Karachi then it would be somewhat similar to “Laal Kabootar”. Do not miss it.
2. Bol
Genre: Social Drama
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
Year: 2011
Rating: 8.2
Bol is a story of a religious Muslim family facing financial difficulties caused by too many children and changing times. The father desires a son and rejects his existing transgender daughter. The objective of the film was to advocate for women’s rights by drawing the focus of media and the elite of Pakistan on family planning and gender issues.
The movie hits hard and is a roller coaster ride of emotions. Humour was present to break the seriousness of the film and make the movie even more enjoyable. The film direction was superb and so was the story. It was also pretty much entirely based on the elements of realism. It surfaced plenty of tragic, but existing, traits of the lower class society in Pakistan. The movie was thoroughly engulfing. Shoman did, indeed, work his magic. An amazing movie that depicts all that is wrong with Pakistani society. It’s a must-watch for everyone.
3. Load Wedding
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Adventure
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Year: 2018
Rating: 7.4
The story is the backbone of a film. The story of this movie was simple yet extraordinary. For the first time ever in the history of modern Pakistani cinema, a film highlighted issues faced by widows, the issue of dowry, and the exploitation of people’s emotions by the media and tv shows.
Producer Fizza Ali Meerza and director Nabeel Qureshi team up yet again with a strong message and a powerful cast to deliver a highly watchable film with a convincing flavor of culture, emotion, and authenticity.
Load Wedding takes you to a small Punjabi town of Narali. And for the first time, Punjabis were not stereotyped in any way by portraying them as loud, etc. Direction by Nabeel Qureshi and the storyline along with the cinematography was excellent. It's a very balanced movie and it was entertaining as well. it highlights the evil of dowry and the way it affects the marriage of every other girl.
4. Cake
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes
Year: 2018
Rating: 7.7
Peter Guber says,
“Stories are not icing on the cake; they are the cake!”
One may confirm the validity of Peter Guber’s words after watching the Pakistani family drama film “Cake” directed by newcomer Asim Abbasi who previously directed a few short films. Cake is definitely a must-watch. It has all the right ingredients humor, drama, emotions.
The plot is engaging, all the while remaining realistic. The acting was top notch from the leads Aamina Shaikh and Sanam Saeed. The chemistry between them is excellent, and you still want more of them at the end. The mother played by Beo Raana Zafar and father had wonderful chemistry. The plot isn’t rushed at any point. The director takes his time for viewers to understand the characters and it looked though every scene was executed to perfection.
The cinematography is excellent. This movie required good camerawork due to the many important scenes it had and it surely didn’t disappoint.
5. Motorcycle girl
Genre: Biography
Duration: 2 hours 1 minute
Year: 2018
Rating: 7
“Motorcycle girl” that most Pakistani youth will relate to. “Motorcycle Girl” depicts the true nature of the Pakistani society, and how the average woman has to deal with her parents, her relatives, her co-workers, and just society, in general, trying to cut the legs out from under her, all in the name of “Log Kiya Khen Ge?” The story is a simple and straight-forward one. It’s about a middle-class girl named Zenith, whose father died when she was a baby and she’s seen stuck in a job where she’s underappreciated, in order to save enough money to put herself through college. All the while, she is seen reminiscing about her father and his unfulfilled fantasy of riding up to Khunjerab Pass between the Pak-China border. This is the true story of how Zenith Irfan fulfills that unaccomplished dream of her father’s despite her grandmother, her fiance and, and her boss constantly drilling into her mind “K Log Kia Kahen Ge?” This is the story of true Women Empowerment. All Pakistanis and patriarchal society afflicted countries should have their daughters watch this film.
It is a story of utmost determination and thirst for fulfilling dreams. A very powerful message that will surely ignite the candle inside you. So, if you want a push to live your dreams then it's a MUST WATCH.
6. Manto
Genre: Biography, Drama
Duration: 2 hours 7 minutes
Year: 2015
Rating: 8.5
Manto, a biopic about Saadat Hasan Manto, one of Pakistan’s most prolific writers, is a good example of why Pakistani films were once highly regarded around the world. With a script filled with the philosophical truths of life, this movie uses Manto’s often controversial short stories to expose the hidden and dark realities at play in the newly emerging state of Pakistan. The story focuses on Manto’s time in the showbiz of Bombay (now Mumbai) and later Lahore. It also depicts his relationship with singer-actress Noor Jehan.
Manto is first in many ways: life sketch, characterization, soulful depiction of an era, editing, background score,& Manto’s ethos blended with the pangs of partition, migration & social dis-array have been exhibited in a manner which was hitherto unknown to our cinema.
7. Moor
Genre: Drama
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Year: 2015
Rating: 7.6
Moor is a great addition to Pakistan Cinema, shows is a simple story of corruption, honesty, soul searching, and above all a Father/Son relationship. Unveiling the corruption with such an emotional touch is a remarkable job. The cinematography is beyond class. The beautifully captured Scenery of Baluchistan and the camera work makes you think “Is this Pakistan?”.
The direction is pretty impressive, the powerful acting and melodious music don’t let you divert your mind. Overall the movie is for those only who love the serious movie. If you want action and thrill, this movie is not for you.
8. Parwaaz hai Junoon
Genre: Action, Romance, War
Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes
Year: 2018
Rating: 8.1
Parwaaz Hai Junoon — written by Farhat Ishtiaq, directed by Haseeb Hassan it is definitely a must-watch because right from the beginning, it just grabs your attention & each & every frame tells a tale of the hard work that has gone into making this movie what it is.
Parwaaz Hai Junoon is a story revolving around the lives of Pakistani Air Force Cadets & Pilots. The movie shows all the phases that one goes through in order to serve their country; from having a dream in their eyes to join the Air Force, to perseverance shown through the course of their training, to the time when the Country needs their services, alongside their personal lives where they are just regular people experiencing all kinds of emotions. The movie has a perfect blend of everything; there’s a comedy, there’s romance, there’s drama & then such moments where you are left teary-eyed because you have formed this connection with all the characters that they affect you on an emotional level. Parwaaz Hai Junoon highlights how everyone associated with Air Force is not only a fighter by profession but is a fighter & a go-getter in every aspect of life — that is why all the characters have one thing in common & that is competitiveness. it doesn’t portray everyone as a robotic hero, they all are shown as human beings who have their strengths & weaknesses, which makes it all quite realistic.
The movie is visually appealing & aesthetically sound with the director doing complete justice to the beauty of Pakistan. Every single frame is awe-inspiring & the opening sequence along with all the other flying sequences was brilliantly done. Special effects & graphics were totally impressive.