Actors call for revival of local film industry

Islamabad: Pakistani movie stars appealed for government support yesterday to revive a once-thriving local film industry from near-terminal decline, saying it could help reform society and wean viewers away from Islamist extremism.

Actors, producers and directors from across Pakistan gathered for a two-day seminar aimed at reversing an alarming slide that has seen most cinemas close and the output of movies decline from around 100 in the late 1980s to just 40 last year.

"The state of the industry is very bad," said conference organiser Jamal Shah, chairman of Hunerkada college of visual and performing arts in Islamabad.

"It's almost finished, taking its last breath. We are trying to revive it." Most people these days prefer to stay home to watch CD copies of glitzy Bollywood films from India rather than venture out to decrepit movie halls.

Indian movies, with few exceptions, have been banned from Pakistani cinemas for the past 40 years, but outshine Pakistani movies that have hackneyed story lines, often relying on blood-spattered action scenes to draw their meagre audience.

The conference, co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, will offer recommendations for government action.

Tax breaks

Participants appealed for tax breaks and cash awards for top movies to encourage excellence and for the easing of censorship restrictions.

Shaan, a leading man - a New York-educated filmmaker involved in about 300 movies in a 15-year career - said Pakistanis should be free to express themselves through cinema, and said it could play a key role in promoting a more tolerant society.

He warned that Pakistan is losing its talented actors and filmmakers to India. "We need to preserve what we have," he said.

"We can teach our society through our films," said noted female actress Reema Khan, who also wanted government support to bring her films to an international audience.