'Bear Witness' based on Khilafat Movement of 1920s when Muslims of sub-continent helped Turkish nation
Shooting of an upcoming Pakistani film that highlights the historical relations between Pakistan and Turkey has ended and it is ready for release in March, according to the film director.
Bear Witness, or Gawah Rehna in local Urdu and Sahit Ol in Turkish, was originally shot in Urdu and will be dubbed in Turkish.
"Shooting for the upcoming Pakistani film has been finished and now the post-production phase is going on," writer and director Tahir Mahmood told Anadolu Agency. Mahmood is also a Foreign Ministry official who served in the Pakistan Embassy in Ankara, Turkey's capital.
The film highlights the role Muslims from the sub-continent played in Turkey's struggle against imperial forces.
"This feature film depicts the era of 1920 when British rule was at its peak in the sub-continent, and even at its peak, our forefathers defied British rule and started a mass movement called the historical Khilafat Movement to help their Turkish brothers and sisters in their struggle against the colonial forces," Mahmood said.
It pays rich tribute to the great Turkish leader Mustafa Kamal Ataturk as well as to the brave Turkish nation, he added.
The cast includes legendary actor Qavi Khan, Emmad Irfani, Ghana Ali, Rabya Kulsoom, Rehan Nazim and Faisal Imtiaz.
A talented Turkish actor, Mert Sismanlar, assumed the role of a British army officer which, the film director said, is an important character for the movie.
"This film will be a source of further strengthening the people-to-people bonds between Pakistan and Turkey as it will tell the audiences of both countries the unparalleled love and brotherhood that exists between the two brotherly countries," Mahmood said.
He also said during his service in Ankara, he got the idea to produce a film and show the historical bonds between Pakistan and Turkey to younger generations.
During shooting, the cast and the crew celebrated Turkish Republic Day on Oct. 29, Mahmood said.
The film is slated for release in March in both countries.
