The highly anticipated North American debut of Pakistan’s most recent festival sensation, Wakhri: One of a Kind, is scheduled for March 8—International Women’s Day—at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW). The film, which was directed by Iram Parveen Bilal, opened in Pakistani theaters on January 5.
Abid Aziz Merchant, who is also the film’s producer, announced the event together with Iram on his Instagram page. “On March 8, 2024, International Women’s Day, Wachhri will make its North American premiere at SXSW, one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals that is known for being the launching pad for underappreciated films,” announced Abid.
One of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, SXSW propels compelling stories into the public eye and is vital in influencing trends and promoting creativity in the creative sectors.
Abid went on, “Wakhri is in spotlight at SXSW and has been featured among unforgettable feature films from around the world,” emphasizing the significance of the festival’s selection of his film. At the Festival, the movie will screen four times on March 8, 10, and 14.
The movie is ready to enthrall viewers and make a name for itself internationally with its SXSW debut, further solidifying its importance in the film industry. Fans and industry insiders alike are excited about the news and can’t wait for the movie to premiere on this highly regarded theatrical platform.
The widowed school teacher’s life takes an unexpected turn when her unvarnished comments on social media thrust her into the spotlight overnight, as Wakhri tells her story. Being an unlikely influencer, she struggles to raise her 10-year-old kid while juggling hidden identities and antiquated conventions. Wakhri develops into a moving examination of women’s battles to express themselves and take up space, both online and offline.
Notable achievements along the way to bringing Wakhri to the big screen have included appearances at the Busan Asian Project Market in 2022, the Cannes Cinefondation L’Atelier in 2019, and the Open Doors Hub at the Locarno Film Festival in 2018. The movie most recently took part in the esteemed Red Sea International Film Festival, where a number of well-known international celebrities also screened their films.
Faryal Mehmood, Gulshan Majeed, Saleem Mairaj, Sohail Sameer, and Shees Sajjad Gul are among the star-studded cast members of Wakhri. It also showcases the musical abilities of well-known performers like Ali Sethi, Meesha Shafi, Eva B, Natasha Noorani, and others. In addition to showcasing the abilities of well-known actors, the movie includes cameos from Mathira, Khalid Malik, and Waseem Hassan Sheikh.
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