Following the success and shortlisting of Pakistan’s ‘Joyland’ another name has been nominated at the Oscars. ‘As Far As They Can Run’ is a documentary by Filmmaker and Producer Ziad Zafar.
This is a huge and exciting deal for Pakistan because the last time Pakistan brought home an Oscar was back in 2016 for Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” which explores the custom of honour killings in Pakistan.
The documentary features the lives of 3 differently-abled athletes in rural Pakistan who, despite often inhumane treatment and exclusion by their communities, manage to find some acceptance and a place in society through sports. The 3 young adults join a running program for differently abled youth in Pakistan, hoping to shift perspectives in their rural community.
Zaid took to his Twitter to announce the big news, writing:
Thrilled to make the #Oscars2023 non-fiction shortlist. Our film #AsFarAsTheyCanRun dir by @tanaze is about teenagers with intellectual disabilities who train to represent Pakistan at the @SpecialOlympics.
Thrilled to make the #Oscars2023 non-fiction shortlist. Our film #AsFarAsTheyCanRun dir by @tanaze is about teenagers with intellectual disabilities who train to represent Pakistan 🇵🇰 at the @SpecialOlympics. Now on @paramountplus – wish us luck! @nadirsid https://t.co/duVx13tfmz pic.twitter.com/R9hkCIFG8m
— Ziad Zafar (@ziadzafar) December 23, 2022
One of the athletes in the documentary is Sana, a specially-abled child who trains to take part in the Special Olympics to find acceptance in her family, society, and country.
Director Tanaz Eshaghian says interacting with the teens, families and coaches while directing this film will forever have a special place in her heart. “Rural and impoverished Pakistani life is extremely foreign for most viewers, but the film bridges that gap quietly, bringing out the commonality we have with families struggling to do their best in a world without safety nets. The pain, the challenge, the small moments of connection, hope, and love.”
Fans can watch the documentary on Paramount Plus.
About As Far As They Can Run”
Director: Tanaz Eshaghian
Executive Producer: Sheila Nevins, Mary Davis, Ronak Lakhani, Tim Shriver, Bobby Shriver
Producer: Tanaz Eshaghian, Christoph Jörg; Co-Producer Ziad Zafar
Cinematographer: Nadir Siddiqui
Editor: Per K. Kirkegaard
Language: Urdu
Country: United States of America
Year: 2022
Publicist: The 2050 Group
US Distributor: MTV Documentary Films
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