Thread: Hollywood delegation arrives in Lahore

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LAHORE, 4 MAY: A three-member Hollywood delegation including the director and two producers of a film, Sheherzade, arrived in Lahore Tuesday to give a presentation to the Punjab Chief Minister and finalize the modalities of the multi-million dollar movie on May 6.



It was learnt Tuesday the team was headed by Salman Peerzada, the director of the movie to be shot near Chakwal, while other members of the delegation are Scott JT Frank and James Figetakis.

Sheherzade: The Untold Story is an attempt to bring the East and the West closer especially after the 9/11 episode and present the cultured, soft and civilized face of Muslims to the Western world by recreating the glorious past of the Islamic empire in the 13th century.

Peerzada and his team enjoy the reputation of being progressive, humanist and broadminded in Hollywood. When he went to his Hollywood colleagues with the idea of the movie, they instantly agreed to it since many Americans in the media and the filmdom do not agree with the way the American and the Western media has been portraying Islam and the Muslims in general and the Pakistanis in particular.

Peerzada has also been involved in the British filmdom and earned a good name in the industry. However, it is an astonishing fact that he and his family never applied for British citizenship nor did they surrender their Pakistan nationality.

According to the sources, Rafi Peer Theatre (RPT) is also involved in the project. Salman Peerzada, a founding member of the RPT, scripted the film and is also the director of the movie. He has previously been involved in films such as Zargul, and Blood of Hussain. RPT Director, Faizan Peerzada is a producer on the ground in Pakistan. He was unavailable for comment.

One of the producers of the epic movie, Peter Ziebert, who was already in Pakistan before the arrival of other members, said the initial idea of filming in Pakistan was the brainchild of director Salman Peerzada, who had been living abroad for 37 years and spent over 30 years in the UK before moving to Los Angles.

Mr Ziebert, the producer of Sheherzade, told the Chief Minister that the film had gone past the pre-production stage in Los Angles, where a top of the line crew and cast of international renown had been assembled. The film is set in the 13th century along the Silk Route, when the Islamic empire was at its peak and cities like Baghdad and Samarkand were some of the leading centers of learning in the world.

Mr Ziebert added that the film would present a “positive portrayal of Islam through its magical and mythical history” and showcase the grandeur of the Islamic world. He also pointed out the benefits to the economy of shooting a major Hollywood motion picture in Pakistan. He said there would be millions of dollars invested in Pakistan. A cast and crew of approximately 150 Hollywood professionals would live in Pakistan for four months. Technical and other professionals would be hired to support the cast and crew. Constructing the movie set would create jobs for Pakistani tradesmen and costume manufacturing would boost the textile industry. There would also be a significant public relations and tourism benefit for Pakistan, as global audiences would be treated to its majestic and breathtaking landscape.

The producer also hoped the film would help improve ties between America and Pakistan. “We are committed to making Sheherzade an important part of US public diplomacy to Pakistan and the Islamic world,” he said.

The production company plans to build a massive set in northern Punjab near Chakwal recreating the old cities of Baghdad, Samarkand, and Bokhara. The set is to be on 100 acres, and rather than burning down the set at the end of the film, the company indents to leave it on permanent display and for other television and film productions, the sources said, adding it sought to lease the land from the government.

According to the sources, the company told the Punjab government it needed 100 acres with a clear 360-degree skyline, help in the construction facilities that would house sets, workshops, costumes, wardrobe, departments, and stables for 400 horses, special electricity supplies, accommodations, liaisons for security and administration.

The sources said a representative of the RPT had met several senior Punjab Government officials including former Chief Secretary Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa.