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Shattering Glass Ceilings
A Conversation With Director Mehreen Jabbar On The Pakistani Film Industry
By Sehaam Tahir | Published July 30, 2024
An Introduction To The Face Behind The Lens
Mehreen Jabbar, Pakistani director and film extraordinaire has broken boundaries in the industry. Jabbar has won multiple awards and received critical acclaim for her stories that successfully represent the quintessential Pakistani experience, while also leaving room for international appreciation. Her most popular project to date has been the feature film ‘Ramchand Pakistani’, which was screened at festivals such as the Tribeca Film Festival and the Fribourg International Film Festival.
Based on true story of a Pakistani man and his 7-year-old son accidentally cross the border and spend years in an Indian jail.
Mehreen Jabbars talks to MT about her journey - how did she get here? Growing up surrounded by the vibrant world of advertising, I embarked on my journey at M&J Communications, my parents' illustrious ad agency, celebrated as one of the finest in the nation. As an intern, I immersed myself in the dynamic industry, yet found my true calling lay elsewhere. This realization led me to the esteemed halls of UCLA, where I pursued a rigorous two-year program in film and television. Armed with new skills and a fresh perspective, I returned home to Pakistan, ready to channel my passion and creativity into directing TV films for the national television network. This pivotal decision marked the beginning of a transformative career, bridging my early experiences in advertising with the captivating world of filmmaking.
The film entails the journey of three friends from Karachi as they try to navigate love and their city.
After my foray into TV films, my career blossomed. I ventured into TV series and feature films, eventually relocating to the United States about 20 years ago. Despite this move, my ties to Pakistan remained strong. I frequently travel back and forth, directing projects in both countries, with a significant portion of my work still rooted in Pakistan.
She views her parents' leading roles in advertising as her main inspiration. Beyond familial influence, Jabbar's creative vision is also shaped by global luminaries such as Indian screenwriter/director Satyajit Ray, Swedish auteur Ingmar Bergman, and various Iranian indie filmmakers. Their work profoundly impacts the kinds of stories she tells and her distinctive storytelling style.
Story about choosing a life partner and pursue the true love. Interesting twist when the couple take a lie as a support and set up fake profiles on social media to connect with their dreams.
Storytelling For A Cause
Through her lens, Jabbar artfully merges the vivid essence of Pakistani life into stories that have a global resonance, demonstrating her devotion to both storytelling and cultural authenticity. "I think I was always interested in telling stories, but I've always been kind of shy growing up, and I found that the best way was to create stories behind the camera," Mehreen Jabbar reflects.
Her films often tackle many of these stories have hard-hitting social themes, and while they are universally relatable, they are often deeply rooted in Pakistani culture. This cultural representation on the international stage is a cornerstone of her work. "Whatever story I tell will have that context of the larger world they live in," she asserts.
When asked how she achieves such an impact, Mehreen Jabbar emphasizes the importance of authenticity, both to her characters' experiences and the world they inhabit. "I think, you know, whenever you tell a story, the social aspect or the context or the world that you're telling comes anyway," she explains.
With her well-crafted narratives, Jabbar always aims to make a significant impact. "Millions of people watch them and I think you can use the medium to effect change....even if it makes someone realize or awaken something in them, when they see something to change their lives or to be inspired to do something, that's great," she hopes. Her dedication to storytelling goes beyond mere entertainment, striving to inspire and provoke thought, ultimately making a meaningful difference in the world.
image Reviewit.pk
Overcoming Challenges
Of course, creating such an impact is not easy, especially in a space that is primarily male-dominated. Mehreen Jabbar acknowledges the challenge, noting that the scarcity of women in the director’s chair is a global issue. “I don't think this is just a Pakistan issue, even in Bollywood, people talk about how only three, (or) four women have won the Oscars in the years of Oscar history.’
In the face of such a challenging industry, what gave Mehreen Jabbar the grit and resilience to continue? According to her, "There's always another story to tell."
So, what’s the next story she's working on? She'll soon be traveling to Pakistan to work on an eight-episode series with HUMTV and a small English web series on YouTube while in DC. She disclosed that the web series would focus on the South Asian experience, and she's also exploring the prospect of two films currently being written.
There's always another story to tell.
The Future Of Films
After discussing the current industry's landscape and its lack of diversity and inclusion for Pakistani women, Mehreen Jabbar stated, "I feel dramas need the women, a woman's gaze much more." Despite many challenges, she sees ample opportunity for growth. "There is a lot of scope in Pakistan," she explains. "Because it's still developing, there is an opportunity as opposed to, let's say, the US or Europe, which is already so saturated." Jabbar's perspective highlights both the need for greater female representation in storytelling and the potential for emerging voices to thrive in Pakistan's evolving film industry.
Her insights on making the most of these opportunities include key tips for young, aspiring film directors and screenwriters:
- Learn Online; ‘The internet is your best friend. I would say, educate yourself about the craft of filmmaking specifically’
- Diversify your influences; ‘Don’t restrict yourself to just watching American or Indian cinema or TV. There's so much around the world, so many genres that one can learn from.’
- Expand into writing; ‘There is so much material available online on the craft of screenwriting. Yes, people can write, but like everything else, even filmmaking and television, there are certain sets of rules that you should know of and then you can break those rules.
- Read as much as you can; ‘Reading is so important because reading gives you a sense of breadth of characterization in stories that can help you when you want to tell stories. So read novels, read anything that you can get a hold of.’.
An Encouraging Message For The Youth Of Pakistan
‘I would say be more introspective. Use social media to learn rather than drone. Don't be judgmental. Be open, have an open mind to experiences, and read....because reading is unfortunately declining all over the world, especially in Pakistan. And keep going because I think within Pakistan, it's incredible, there is so much talent, there is so much grit, resilience, and we are survivors.’
Image by South Asia Union | The author can be reached at : [email protected]
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