Insha'Allah Democracy nominated for Tim Hetherington Award

Available for Immediate Release

May 25th, 2017

Documentary Profiling Former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf Receives Nomination in the Tim Hetherington Award at Sheffield Doc/Fest 2017

Directed by Mo Naqvi, (Among the Believers, Pakistan’s Hidden Shame) Insha’Allah Democracy follows the former President and four star army general of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf. Covering a five year period, the documentary profiles the fallen political leader’s return from exile back to the tumultuous world of politics in Pakistan. Insha’Allah Democracy, screening at this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest, has been nominated for the festival’s prestigious Tim Hetherington Award.

“Amidst global political turbulence and seismic movements of democratic leadership, Mo Naqvi’s film personalizes our fundamental relationship to power and governance. This is a film that questions the very basic human values of democracy: trust and safety,” said Luke W. Moody, Director of Film Programming, Sheffield Doc/Fest.

Set against the backdrop of Pakistan’s ever changing political landscape, the documentary features unlimited access to Musharraf as well as prominent supporting characters such as cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Taliban figurehead Sami-ul-Haq.

“To have a former military dictator willing to talk presented a unique opportunity for insight into the power struggles in South Asia and the Middle East,” said Producer Jared Ian Goldman. “What the film subsequently became is not only compelling but smart, sensitive and more accessible to a western audience than any third person profile could ever be.”

In Insha’Allah Democracy, award-winning and internationally celebrated filmmaker Naqvi, considers if democracy is really sustainable in a Pakistan that is under-developed, nuclear powered and overrun by Taliban.  

“My film chronicles my own journey as a first time voter in Pakistan - to see if democracy is compatible with an unstable Muslim country, elaborates Naqvi.  “After spending several years with Musharraf, I realized that the only effective way to challenge any negative political force is through deeper participation in the democratic process. Ultimately this is why I made Insha'Allah Democracy. I crave for Pakistan to have a high level of political empowerment. Because walls and bans won't defeat terrorism, but finding our own democratic voice will.” 

Sheffield Doc/Fest Screening Details: https://sheffdocfest.com/films/6155

Press contact info:

Sanam Hasan

shasanpr@gmail.com