Experiencing Interruptions?

Beyond Borders

15 years ago a group of children from India and Pakistan collaborated on a theater play on peace. The filmmaker was one of the children representing Ajoka Theatre Pakistan. The two groups met and rehearsed both in Amritsar and Lahore using two different scripts of the same play in Gurmukhi and Urdu. During the process the children from the two countries developed a close affinity with each other. The play, 'Border Border', was performed in Pakistan (Lahore-Islamabad-Karachi) and India (Amritsar-Chandigarh-Delhi)

The documentary starts of with Nirvaan, the filmmaker, communicating through Facebook with his Indian friend Rohit (from the 'Border Border team), and reminisces about the deep impact the play had on the children from both countries. Nirvaan informs Rohit that he is going to the Wagah India-Pakistan border to observe the 15th anniversary of of the play.

The documentary follows Nirvaan to the famous flag lowering ceremony at Wagah, where border forces from both sides show absurd and aggressive postures in the midst of deafening patriotic slogans from both sides of the border. He compares their machoism and chauvinism with the love and warmth experienced by the 'Border Border' children, using footage of recordings from the rehearsals and performances of the play.
Nirvaan ends his conversation with Rohit by saying that love and peace will ultimately prevail.

  • Nirvaan nadeem
    Director
    Becoming Bhagat Singh, Aik Aur Talib
  • Nirvaan Nadeem
    Writer
  • Nirvaan Nadeem
    Producer
  • Nirvaan Nadeem
    Key Cast
    Several Stage and Television plays
  • Shakeel Ahmed Siddiqui
    Director of Photography
  • Nirvaan Nadeem
    Editing
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 18, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    50 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Pakistan
  • Country of Filming:
    India, Pakistan
  • Language:
    English, Urdu
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Nirvaan nadeem

29 year old Pakistani filmmaker based in Lahore. Masters in filmmaking from Beaconhouse National University Lahore, B.A(Hons) in Film and TV from National College of Arts Lahore.
Has played leading roles in major theater productions of Ajoka Theater Pakistan and various Pakistani television channels. Has also directed some Ajoka Theatre plays and a number of short films. Contributes articles for leading Pakistani newspapers. Has also appeared in various commercials. Plays the violin and paints.

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Director Statement

i strongly believe that art and mass media can play a pivotal role in peace building and countering extremist narratives. My association with Ajoka Theater Pakistan has strengthened this belief. In this documentary I have contrasted the jingoism of the establishment with the love for peace among the people. I have tried to show the warmth of the children, which can be the basis for a peaceful South Asia.