Young LA Filmmaker Produces
‘When the Mountains Moved’ in Pakistan
The
producer and her associates |
Islamabad: The documentary “When
the Mountains Moved: Survival and Friendship in the 2005 Earthquake”
was launched on October 7, 2006 at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.
The film was screened by the Asia Foundation, produced by
Eckova Productions, and directed by Marriam Azam, a filmmaker
from Los Angeles. The launching ceremony was an elegant affair
with the development sector very well represented. The guest
list included dignitaries and diplomats as well as representatives
from the top NGOs in Islamabad.
Eckova Productions, an international documentary production
house with offices in Los Angeles and Karachi, is at the forefront
of tackling important issues that reveal the many dimensions
of the intricate relationship between Americans and Pakistanis.
“When the Mountains Moved” showcased stories of
courage and sacrifice that helped build bridges of understanding
and friendship between the people of the two countries at
one of the most important times in their histories. Exploring
the human dimension of the interaction between Americans and
Pakistanis resulting from the earthquake, the film brought
to light how people relate at a human level and how easily
perceptions, preconceived notions and mutual suspicion break
down when people respond with their innermost self. The theme
and style of the documentary were positive, upbeat and celebrated
the human spirit, highlighting how two diverse and sometimes
diametrically opposed cultures come together and rise above
these differences.
The film began with images of what Kashmir looked like before
the earthquake, how serene and peaceful the lives of the locals
there was, and how unanticipated such a large disaster was
for the people of Kashmir. It then went on to describe the
tragic 7.6 magnitude earthquake that “turned paradise
into hell”.
As news of the devastation spread, aid began pouring in and
so did international volunteers who left behind their own
lives in the United States to help the destitute victims of
the earthquake in Kashmir. Their selfless giving of their
time, resources, and compassion helped change long-held negative
perceptions by local Pakistanis of what Americans were like
and Americans were welcomed with open arms.
Similarly, the American perception, which previously thought
of Northern Pakistan as hotbeds of terrorism changed dramatically.
When Americans and Pakistanis interacted with one another
on a human-to-human level, they found that they were more
similar than different. As one interviewee from the documentary
put it, “What binds us together is far greater than
all those things that separate us.” It is a common bond
of humanity.
The central character of the film was Todd Shea, a relief
worker who left his family behind in the United States to
help the people of Kashmir. He set up his own NGO by the name
of CDRS in Chikar and currently provides medical help and
facilities to 150,000 people who would otherwise be without
any sort of medical assistance in that inaccessible mountainous
area.
In such volatile times like these, it is of the utmost importance
to build tolerance and understanding between people of the
United States and those of Pakistan. “When the Mountains
Moved” is a groundbreaking initiative that encourages
tolerance, understanding, and friendship between the people
of the two nations and emphasizes the bond of humanity that
ties people of different faiths and backgrounds together.
The film was very well received by the guests at the event
and the audience especially appreciated its timeliness.
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