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“SLACKISTAN” SECURES UK DISTRIBUTION& RECEIVES WORLD PREMIERE
Mara Pictures has acquired the UK theatrical rights for Slackistan-a rare independent film from Pakistan. Slackistan is the debut feature film by Hammad Khan and produced by Menhaj Huda, the filmmaker of the highly acclaimed cult hit Kidulthood.
Inspired by the genre of small-town slacker films, Slackistan focuses on a group of privileged college graduates who procrastinate their lives away in the sleepy capital city of Islamabad. The characters struggle to face up to reality as the country outside their small world begins to fall apart. The film challenges the images and perceptions of Pakistani youth dominant in international media while also being a “personal love letter to Islamabad and to its young dreamers as they continue to search for their identity and future”, states Khan.
The production faced challenging circumstances not only due to the lack of an independent film production infrastructure within Pakistan, but was further impacted by ongoing suicide bombings which forced filming to take place under the radar. Slackistan features fresh undiscovered talent and an unique soundtrack including underground Pakistani rock and hip hop artists.
With regards to his support of the film, Huda says “”I am a big advocate of films and filmmakers breaking new ground and Slackistan is definitely the first of it’s kind. I am very excited to have helped Hammad, in whatever way I could, to get this film finished and released.”
The Raindance Film Festival is premiering Slackistan the Apollo Cinema, Piccadilly, London on October 7th, 2010 followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers.
“Slackistan” was one of the most well-made, interesting films I saw in Cannes.” Howard Feinstein, Filmmaker Magazine
“It points to a country that is rarely explored in modern cinema, TV and literatre.”
Guardian
“Cult” BBC Entertainment News
International Festival Screening Dates
South Asian International Film Festival, NYC, USA Premiere, Oct-Nov 2010 3rd i International South Asian Film Festival, San Francisco, November 2010The 41st International Film Festival of India, Goa, November 2010
Additional Dates and UK Theatrical Release Date TBA
www.slackistanthemovie.com www.marapictures.com
For further information please contact: Sanam Hasan, Marketing & Public Relations, +44 (0) 783 744 1248, sanam@marapictures.comRoopa Saini, Acquisitions & Sales, +44 (0) 795 177 5278, roopa@marapictures.com
