Anjum Shahzad

Pakistan has picked Anjum Shahzad’s “Mah e Mir” as its entry in the foreign language Academy Awards competition. The film follows a troubled modern poet who discovers the work of 18th century poetry legend Mir Taqi Mir.

It stars Fahad Mustafa, Iman Ali and Sanam Saeed. The film was produced by Miraqsm Media which is also behind the Pakistani television morning talk show “Sunrise From Istanbul”. “For an ensemble of extremely creative cast and crew this film is a labor of love,” Shahzad said.

Pakistan re-entered the foreign language Oscar race after 50 years in 2013 with “Zinda Bhaag” and since then has submitted a film every year. The country has yet to secure a nomination in the category. However, Sharmeed Obaid-Chinoy won for “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” in 2016 and in 2012 with Daniel Junge for “Saving Face,” both in the best documentary short subject category. — Reuters