Few can ignore or deny the disturbing impact, within the past year, of terrorism in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as its apocalyptic strain of the ancient faith clashes with the West. From Paris to San Bernardino, from Cologne to Brussels, from Orlando to Nice, carnage and fear have taken center stage in 2015 and 2016.
Equally unavoidable is the growing awareness, among Western people, of their Islamic populations – and their harshly conflicting reactions to this awareness. An intensifying socio-cultural battle between the extremes of xenophobic paranoia and naive apologism is raging, and only one thing is certain: ISIS is deeply affecting the West in more ways than one. Terror, as it were, is already here. Major news media has done plenty to cover both the direct and indirect effects of ISIS on the Western psyche, but its reach remains limited.
Ultimately, media’s role is, by definition, reactionary – a www.letsmakeamovies.com LOS ANGELES / VANCOUVER / MUMBAI response to events that have already taken place, for better or worse. In the case of ISIS, such reactions have been unequivocally grim. – But what if media could assume a more proactive role? – What if media could not just cover what is already done but assume a more proactive role? – What if media could save lives? This is the point where news media and art must intersect.
While a network cannot identify a would-be terrorist before he or she strikes, it can certainly participate with a film that explores the side of such people that ordinary viewers rarely see – the human side. “Terrorist,” after all, is merely a label – a shorthand “scarlet letter” that allows one to comfortably separate “us” from “them,” to casually summarize a human life that, in truth, was a complex series of experiences that ultimately led to an unconscionable decision.
The narrative film medium is among the best vehicles for exploring such an issue, and that is just what Afreen intends to accomplish. Through the lens of a fictional, speculative, yet a realistic cinematic tale, viewers will be exposed to the uncomfortable truth about the roots of extremism – the perfect recipes for Islamic radicalization; the harsh realities of foreign policy blowback; and the devastating personal costs of revenge.
Afreen is a hard-hitting, unconventional thriller and gut-wrenching drama that our current times demand. Equally unsparing in its brutality and hopeful in its search for redemption, the film aims to provoke stirring thoughts and challenging discussions about how each of us views the world and its people. Principal photography on Afreen is scheduled to begin this October, 2016, on location in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, under the guidance of veteran Bollywood director/producer Aashish Chanana.
Popular Pakistani singer/actress Komal Rizvi plays the title role – that of a traumatized Iraq War refugee who joins an Ontario-based terror cell www.letsmakeamovies.com LOS ANGELES / VANCOUVER / MUMBAI to exact personal revenge on the West, but eventually finds herself torn about her ultimate decision. The makers of Afreen are seeking a courageous network willing to participate in a timely, topical, and daring film production with a stake in the future.
Sundus Anwar believes in the power of clear, straightforward writing. Her blog posts tackle everyday topics with relatable insights and easy-to-follow advice. With a conversational style, she makes complex subjects feel understandable. She’s dedicated to sharing knowledge and empowering readers to take action. Find her latest posts on trending in social.
