Pakistan’s film “The Losing Side” on forced conversions win Cannes film award
Pakistan’s film “The Losing Side” on forced conversions win Cannes film award. The Losing Side, a Pakistani film that examines the problem of forced conversions to other religions in Sindh, won an award at the Cannes World Film Festival for November’s Best Human Rights Film.
The movie, which was distributed under the Jawad Sharif Films label, received a nomination by mid-December after being nominated many months earlier. Sharif enthusiastically revealed on Instagram that his film had now received a prize.
“Such good news on the last day of 2022. Our film The Losing Side has won the Best Human Rights Film Award at Cannes World Film Festival,” wrote the director.
According to Jawad Sharif Film’s official website, The Losing side recounts the daunting tale of four women named Vahitoo, Simran, Keeran and Reena have been “victims of forced conversion and forced marriage.” The film follows through the perspective of various activists, politicians and legal experts who help further the “conversation as to why such barbaric practices continue on a daily basis”.
In the director’s statements section, Sharif also revealed the reason behind making this film, “The alarming and inhumane pattern of forced conversion of Hindu women in Sindh is an issue that has only been talked about in opinions and discourse. While some victims prefer to not come in the spotlight, others are willing to come forward and speak about their experience, if it helps even one other person not go through the same thing.”
Sharif further pointed out the necessity for such a film to be made in Pakistan. “It was necessary for us to see this. For us to see that one of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in our country runs at risk of having their control over their lives swiftly and brutally snatched away by anyone who chooses to do so. These criminals are not only given protection but are celebrated and given markers of respect for these acts of barbarity”.
Sharif also hopes that this documentary would help people picture the plight of these victims and demand authorities take prompt action. He said, “No one is free until we all are. I hope that this documentary opens our eyes to push for structural and immediate reform.”
Here’s the link to the film:
