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Insha'Allah Democracy

Synopsis

Filmmaker Mohammed Naqvi will vote for the first time during Pakistan's elections. His priority is backing a candidate who will prevent Pakistan from becoming a terrorist state. But Mo has a tough choice – either vote for religious hardliners or for secular liberal leader General Musharraf, a former military dictator. INSHA'ALLAH DEMOCRACY chronicles one voter's journey: to see if democracy is compatible with an unstable Muslim country.

The Filmmakers

Mohammed Naqvi Director

Mohammed Naqvi is a special Emmy winning Filmmaker (TV Academy Honor 2008), American Film Institute and National Endowment of The Arts Fellow. His credits include SHAME (Paramount/ Showtime), SHABEENA'S QUEST (Al-Jazeera), TERROR'S CHILDREN (Discovery-Times Channel), and BIG RIVER (Office Kitano / Bandai Visual), on which he served as producer. His work has showcased in film festivals including Toronto, Tribeca, Berlin, IDFA, and at venues including the United Nations and the Museum of Modern Art. His work has received various honors by the Governments of Germany, South Korea, and the United States. Currently he is directing two feature documentaries TWO CHILDREN OF THE RED MOSQUE (a Tribeca All Access grantee 2012, Ford Foundation grantee, Gucci-Tribeca grantee, CAAM grantee) and THE GENERAL GOES HOME (Hot Docs Forum 2011, IFP film week 2012).

Jared I. Goldman Producer

Jared I. Goldman is a New York-based award-winning independent producer. His recent fiction features include AND SO IT GOES directed by Rob Reiner and starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, THE SKELETON TWINS directed by Craig Johnson and written by Mark Heyman (BLACK SWAN) and starring Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Luke Wilson and Ty Burrell; KILL YOUR DARLINGS (Sundance 2013, sold to Sony Pictures Classics) starring Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Michael C Hall and Ben Foster; THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE directed by Rob Reiner and starring Morgan Freeman; and SOLITARY MAN starring Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon and Danny DeVito. Recent documentary features include THE GENERAL GOES HOME and PUPPET. Mr. Goldman has also produced two Sundance award-winning films; THE WACKNESS, directed by Jonathan Levine and starring Sir Ben Kingsley, won the Audience Award in 2008 and MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET) won the Grand Jury Prize (Documentary) and Achievement in Cinematography Award in 2007. He is a member of the PGA, DGA and National Arts Club and a graduate of University of Pennsylvania.

Festivals & Awards

Sheffield Doc/Fest

2017

In this personal exploration of the politics of turbulent post 9/11 Pakistan, filmmaker Mohammed Naqvi goes in search of a leader who can keep him safe in a climate of escalating terror attacks. He finds himself drawn to the exiled enigmatic General Musharraf, filming him over four years. The former president hopes to govern once again, but is soon accused of treason.

Carol Nahra

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