Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts along with Arts Midwest announces the next leg of Caravanserai: A place where cultures meet, a groundbreaking artistic and cultural exchange program designed to introduce U.S. audiences to exciting and dynamic artists from the Muslim world. On Tuesday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pollak Theatre, world-renowned documentary producer and director Ayesha Khan will present her award winning film, Made in Pakistan. Following the screening the audience will have the chance to engage in a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker. This event is free and open to the public.
Ayesha Khan, director of the feature film KASHF: Lifting of the Veil and executive producer of Made in Pakistan, is one of Pakistan’s most talented and dynamic young filmmakers. Produced by Khan’s Indus Valley Productions and directed by Nasir Khan, Made in Pakistan is a 60-minute documentary that follows the lives of four young Pakistani professionals as they navigate personal and professional struggles and triumphs in their city of Lahore, Pakistan. Winner of the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary at the South Asian International Film Festival in New York, Made in Pakistan is a riveting glimpse into life in Pakistan—a country where politics, fashion, religion, debate, and tradition intermingle, where one definition of an Islamic State no longer holds true. A successful example of independent filmmaking in contemporary Pakistan, Made in Pakistan will provide a framework for a thought-provoking discussion led by a bright new voice from Pakistan’s burgeoning film industry.
The Center for the Arts at Monmouth University is proud to have been selected as one of just five organizations in the U.S. to host the Caravanserai slate in the 2011-2012 season — a schedule of performances, educational workshops, and outreach events featuring some of the most dynamic artists in the Muslim world. Programming for Caravanserai began in October 2011 with a tour of Qawal Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers and percussion masters Tari Khan Ensemble. Following the film residency for Ayesha Khan and Made in Pakistan, Caravanserai will continue at Monmouth with a concert by celebrated contemporary folk singers Arif Lohar and Arooj Aftab on March 31 at 8 p.m. in the Pollak Theatre. Caravanserai is funded by a one million dollar grant from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art (DDFIA) Building Bridges program. South Arts, the Regional Arts Organization serving the southeastern United States, is managing the Caravanserai film tour.
Caravanserai: A place were cultures meet is managed by Arts Midwest on behalf of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations with financial support from the Building Bridges program of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Caravanserai’s film programming is coordinated on behalf of the program by South Arts.
This screening is also part of Monmouth University’s 2012 Provost Film Series organized by the Provost’s Office and the Office for Global Initiatives. The 2012 film selections, designed to compliment the Caravanserai initiative, will explore Muslim cultures, with a special focus on women. For more information about the Made in Pakistan film screening with Ayesha Khan, a trailer of the film, and details about the entire Caravanserai series, visit www.monmouth.edu/arts.
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Media contact: Petra Ludwig at 732-263-5507