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Reviews
Checkpost (2014)
Visceral truths in an extraordinary short film
One of the trademarks of an Aneel Ahmad film is how he introduces to us as a character the ambiance or the environment in which the other characters move. Aneel has at the "Checkpost" created a concise, yet minutely detailed and moving film about drone massacres, the political talking heads that faultily try to define or support them, the different perspectives that media may take, the driving force of selfish, monetary gain, and the visceral environment in which they all play. Aneel's talent in bringing together all aspects of life in a land where terrorism only became a daily part of life in recent history is so realistic one might think this film a documentary itself. More than simply making a statement about politics and terrorism, Aneel has shown us how at least the Western media tends to portray these in cold and unfeeling ways that are so vastly different from the real experiences of those who personally go through these tragedies. At the Checkpost we more than see - we FEEL - how these tangled webs of murder, politics, media and emotion strangle the once simpler and "happy" traditional life of those in the 3rd world. We feel the love of a boy for his father, for example, or the loving embrace of a hard working man giving his son the best possible life he can muster. Juxtaposed, we feel the sense of impending doom and the prayers we'd keep if we, too, had to live as if at any flash of a moment life could end. The detail and skill that Aneel has put into the making of this film is extraordinary (as usual), and I look forward to seeing many more of his always poignant films.
Waiting for Sunrise (2005)
A must see documentary
Sometimes, pictures do not do justice to the reality we see with our own eyes. In this case, words just cannot do justice to what Aneel Ahmad has delivered to us with "Waiting for Sunrise". The raw emotion that one feels when they watch an Aneel Ahmad film or documentary is a trademark occurrence, and this one is no exception. What is exceptional is how skilled he is, in such an extraordinarily short time, at showing the enormous number of details of a life of abject poverty in Pakistan. This documentary goes far beyond what the normal filmmaker captures of the standard street scenes or despondent faces. It is replete with heart wrenching details of the geographical, psychological, sociological and physical nature and consequences of poverty. At once we feel disgust and horror for what humans allow their brethren to endure in this world. At the same time we admire those enduring this hell as they hold back the tears and exhibit sometimes an amazing spirited strength and determination. An unbelievable daily resilience emerges that carefully guards a beauty that lies deep within their hearts and just beneath the surface of their blood-, sweat- and tear-streaked faces (or sometimes scarred and track-lined bodies). If they can't prevent thieves from absconding with their pittances, at least these poor souls can keep that heart and what dignity they in any possible way have managed to build. I felt like I should watch this documentary more than once. I've learned that the scheme of this documentary was restricted to just six minutes and I hope Aneel can make a longer documentary later. But with a six- minute length, there's plenty of time to watch it again and it SHOULD be watched by everyone... again... and again... and again... until humankind gets it through their heads and into their hearts that the worst - and possibly easiest - preventable disease on earth is poverty. I highly recommend watching "Waiting for Sunrise" and let it be a mirror view of your own conscience.
Boy in the Tree (2011)
Achieving heights of Greatness!
I found it very difficult to express how much I loved this movie without giving away all the wonderful scenes! Though he has the magic of creating films so realistic you'd think them documentaries, Aneel Ahmad's "Boy in the Tree" goes beyond even that. We feel WE are there with, or as the characters. We feel the dry dirt under our feet, the sense of being mischievous or resourceful. We feel pain. We feel joy. We feel victory! Aneel has captured the almost inconspicuous details of the ordinary life of a an impoverished child in the 3rd World and then displays them all as an extraordinary and most inspiring lesson for every person on earth. I am resisting the urge to say just what symbolism he uses, and the lessons he teaches, hoping that future audiences will enjoy the full range of emotion he can evoke through his artistic touch. Aneel has so masterfully brought together the background music, sounds, small and large creatures that inhabit the region, and traditions and mannerisms of the people who are a part of the boy's life that we feel strong emotions at every turn - even from watching a silhouette! The film is beautiful, but educational, too. Really, I think so much could be done with this film in such a positive way. You will fall in love with the Boy as the story progresses, but you'll also look back and say, "You had me at 'in the tree'." Like all of the greatest films, you'll also want to watch this one over and over again, too! Achieve great heights of greatness - watch this film!