Pakistani producer taps film cooperation opportunities in China

Artistic performances opened Asian Film and TV Week in Beijing on the evening of Thursday, May 16, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Fizza Ali Meerza, one of Pakistan's most distinguished film producers, is now in Beijing aiming to find opportunities to work with China.

"What we need to do is have more collaborations; have our full swing ahead and getting more eyeballs towards Pakistani cinema. I can find it out tomorrow in the producers' conference. I am supposed to meet some Chinese filmmakers and I'm extremely excited about it. Pakistani films could get shot here. Maybe Chinese actors can come to Pakistan to join Pakistani films. Maybe we can make stories of common interest."

Meerza said this is her first tour of China. She was invited to participate in the Asian Film and TV Week, as part of the ongoing Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations.

Fizza Ali Meerza, one of Pakistan's most distinguished film producers, at an interview the day before the opening of Asian Film and TV Week, which kicked off on Thursday, May 16, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

She also brought a Pakistani film titled Load Wedding to show at the film week.

"The entire Asian society; we all understand how bad dowries affect the families of the girls. Even in the west. So my sister-in-law is an Italian, and when she saw the film, she said 'you know people in west are also pressured by the dowry: you have to give out a lot of money or the gifts to the girl when she's getting married. So it's equally relatable for all of them. Most of our films are films that are socially active. And they do address issues that you know, make an impact on human life. So they are usually quite relatable for everyone."

60 selected Asian films from 30 Asian countries are being showcased in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an.

Filmmakers from all Asian regions were spotted at the Asian Film and TV Week, including internationally known stars, such as Aamir Khan from India and Majid Majidi from Iran.