While the 67th San Francisco International Film Festival debuted a captivatingly broad range of diverse narratives, no other story resonated most with the city’s robust reputation for social change, inclusivity, and gender equality than the premiere of “Wakhri” by renowned filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal. Inspired by the trailblazing life of Qandeel Baloch, Pakistan’s inspiring social media sensation whose defiance against patriarchal norms led to her tragic and untimely demise, Bilal uses Baloch’s legacy to instill “Wakhri” with the same poignant impact.
Through Bilal’s directorial vision, we are introduced to the film’s lead, Noor, who, with her queer best friend Guchhi, combat societal oppression with their unabashed online personas. Departing from the conventional portrayal of Muslim women and queer individuals, Bilal utilizes extravagant makeup, vivid cinematography, and gripping dialogue to explore and celebrate the resilience and tenacity of its protagonists as they demand equality within a flawed system.
We had the privilege to sit down with Iram Parveen Bilal to delve deeper into the inspiration and creative process behind this groundbreaking film.
What initially drew you to this project, and what inspired you to tell this particular story? How did you approach the research process and accurate portrayal of the characters?
“The killing of Pakistan’s first influencer – Qandeel Baloch inspired this project. ‘Well-behaved women don’t make history.’ She was that quote personified. She was brave, unapologetic. She had courage. You didn’t have to agree with her at all times, but you couldn’t take your eyes and ears off of her. She had the spark to shake the system.
And having only learned about her life two weeks before she was killed, and not being able to forget about her made me pay attention to what it was about her that was so personal to me. I
realized that when every woman of courage is taken down, it feels like a personal attack. A part of all fierce women is taken down. That’s when I put pen to paper, and all the years of slight and
microaggressions came pouring out into every word that makes Wakhri. This film is a tribute to all those brave Pakistani women, and women across the world, who were silenced for speaking
and fighting for truth – Qandeel Baloch, Sabeen Mahmud, Benazir Bhutto, Perveen Rehman among many others.”
How do you see “Wahkri” contributing to broader conversations about representation, equality, and social change within both Pakistani and global cinema?
“Wakhri is a film that celebrates all those of us who refuse to be put in someone else’s labels and checkboxes. It is a film that champions women’s rights to free speech, education, marital justice among others. It also shines a light on the realities of the transgender community in Pakistan as well as the challenges of mass hate movements started via social media. We think it has already been a part of the conversation on ground in Pakistani cinema and as we take it beyond, the visceral reactions are telling in how much it is instilling, provoking and encouraging emotion and energy towards these and broader social causes.”
As a filmmaker, what do you believe is the role of cinema in addressing social issues and promoting cultural understanding?
“Discourse is the beginning of solution building. Sometimes, our polarizations are so great that we cannot get to the table for a discussion. Cinema is a soft salve at humanizing the often misunderstood, the underdog, the unseen. Stories have been traders of empathy since the beginning of time. Cinema is one of our most community oriented ways of telling stories. And so, it is a leader in addressing social issues if it wants to and thereby at the forefront of promoting empathy and understanding.”
How does it feel to have your film showcased in such a culturally diverse, politically active, and socially progressive city like San Francisco?
“Some of my first supporters are from San Francisco, so it is a very nostalgic and satisfying bit to come back here with my advanced works. SF has historically played a huge part in representing and pushing boundaries of traditionally uncomfortable realities of life. It is a risk-taking city thriving with the energy of entrepreneurship, global identity and the spirit of justice.”
Looking ahead, what themes or stories are you interested in exploring in your future work?
“I really want to create something for seniors, and am also really troubled by the realities of unhoused citizens and the state of mental health on the streets and in our homes. That as well as the ever desire to create a romantic story are always bubbling in my heart and mind.”
Thank you so much for the in-depth and insightful responses, Iram, and we cannot wait to see what you create next!
