FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
MOVING
Truck art continues to be one of the most vibrant mediums of storytelling in Pakistan
FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
Human Resources
Cover Story Moving Art
A work in progress
The evolution of truck art in Pakistan
How to identify and report sexual harassment in the workplace
22 Feature
The lone warrior Mohammad Jibran Nasir continues to raise his voice against extremism
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42 Regulars
6 People & Parties: Out and about with beautiful people 48 Reviews: Movies 54 Green Thumb: Health benefits of the Narcissus
Magazine Editor: Sarah Munir and Senior Subeditors: Dilaira Dubash and Sanam Maher Creative Team: Essa Malik, Jamal Khurshid, Mohsin Alam, Omer Asim, Aamir Khan, Sanober Ahmed & Talha Ahmed Khan Publisher: Bilal A Lakhani. Editor: Kamal Siddiqi For feedback and submissions: magazine@tribune.com.pk Twitter: @ETribuneMag & Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ETribuneMag Printed: uniprint@unigraph.com
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Cinestar Cinema premieres Dolly Ki Doli for celebrities in Lahore Fariha Pervaiz Resham
Nadia Afghan and Mandana
6 FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
Sahar Mahmud and Shanzay
Sara Reza
PHOTOS COURTESY QYT EVENTS
Fivzieh, Hiba and Seyham
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Arsalan, Sadia, Faisal and Salman
PHOTOS COURTESY QYT EVENTS
Ayesha Imran and Azka Khan
Junaid and Ayesha Sana
Henna Hassan and Amina Tarique Nimrah
Alia and Asma
8 FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
Farhan Durrani and Humaira
Noor and Wali
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Dure Najaf and Zareesh Zaman
Hina Nadeem and Umair Nadeem Areej Nadeem
Alamdar Khan and Laila Zuberi
10 FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
Amer and Nida Akhtar
Amir and Sarah
PHOTOS COURTESY REZZ PR AND EVENTS
Hina Nadeem launches her restaurant Angeethi in Islamabad
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Uz Hussain and Reema Abbassi
Sobia Nazir and Sadia Khawaja
PHOTOS COURTESY REZZ PR AND EVENTS
Sulmeen and Saman Ansari
Nada and Natty
Sama and Naveen Saad
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Farwa and Qurat
Sara Raza, Sabeen Shahban and Sania Sameer
Nadia Tahir and Abida Nouman
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Rabiah Khurram Bazga Ansari
Ambreen Qureshi
Zuhal Mansfield
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Janaki Karuppu
Claire, Daniella and Li
PHOTOS COURTESY NEW WORLD CONCEPTS
The 2015 International Women Leaders Summit focuses on the theme ‘Explore, Energize and Enhance Success’ in Karachi
Naheed Huda
Naila Naqvi
Yasmin Hyder and Dr Mahnaz Shah
Naz Fancy
Wang Li Hua and Fariya Zaeem
Shahzia
16 FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
Elena Claudia De Vito
Sanam Oktar
PHOTOS COURTESY NEW WORLD CONCEPTS
PEOPLE & PARTIES
HUMAN RESOURCES
A WORK IN PROGRESS
Learning to com combat mbat m ssexual harassment harass hara in the h workplace BY MOEZ ALLIDINA
22 FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
DESIGN BY MARYAM RASHID
What is sexual harassment? While in Pakistan we may believe such harassment is a crime, we often fail to report cases of it. Conversely, in many cases, the victim is pressurised not to report the crime and he or she may come to fear repercussions from speaking out about harassment. Many shrug off the idea of reporting harassment, saying, “We don’t believe we will get justice.” If harassment poses a clear and present danger, particularly in the workplace, how can organisations protect their employees against such instances? Sexual harassment in the workplace occurs when an employee — male or female — persistently makes make uninvited and unwelcome vverbal or physical advances towards another employe employee against his/ her will. According to th the United Nations Conventi Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Dis o Discrimination A Against W Women, such cconduct o “can b humiliating be h and may m constitu a health constitute and safety proble problem; it is discriminatory wh when the woman has reaso reasonable ground to believe that her objection would disadvantage d her in connection with her employment, incl including recruitment or pr promotion, or when it creates create a hostile working environment.” Harassment can appear to be relatively innocent, taking the form of jokes, innuendos, flirtation or asking someone
out on a date. However, in order to be recognised as ‘harassment’, such advances must be deliberate or repeated. In some cases, the advances are so offensive or illegal — fondling, groping or rape — that they only need occur once to be deemed harassment. There are three main types of sexual harassment: ‘quid pro quo’, creating a hostile working environment due to sexual advances and retaliating against an employee (threatening to fire or demote) if he/she complained about unwelcome advances. Quid pro quo harassment occurs when an employee is fast-tracked for a promotion or gets to keep his/her job based on if he/ she submitted to or rejected sexual advances or other types of inappropriate sexual comments. While some employers and employees fail to recognise how rampant these kinds of behaviour are, there are others who are unable to distinguish between a ‘compliment’ and ‘harassment’. This is largely due to a lack of education on the subject. Employers who do not take preventive measures against sexual harassment can witness a lack of morale or motivation at work, underperformance leading to decreased productivity and higher than normal absenteeism. Many employees simply choose to quit their jobs and many harassment cases lead to increased health care and legal expenditures.
So what can management or employees do to ensure a healthy and safe working environment for men and women? Here are some suggestions:
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Adopt a strict policy on sexual harassment and educate all employees about the nature of such harassment. Make sure employees know how to report unwelcome advances and the procedure to file a complaint. Inform employees about action that will be taken against the wrongdoer. Information sessions must be carried out at least once a year in the workplace.
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Discuss the subject of harassment during induction training and orientation for new employees and ensure that all employees have an updated copy of the ‘Employee Policy Handbook’.
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Implement a clear policy that forbids managers, supervisors and employees from dating. Should a relationship develop between co-workers, explain that one of the two employees must resign or both may be removed from their jobs.
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Provide contact information for various associations and legal authorities such as the National Implementation Watch Committee (NIWC) and Aurat Foundation in case an employee may wish to approach an outsider for assistance.
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Be vigilant and closely monitor your workplace. Keep an opendoor policy for employees to share their concerns on this matter and to report any violations they see. Keep an eye out for offensive posters or comments that may be posted on social media against any employee. Take all complaints seriously by acting promptly and carrying out necessary investigation.
Do you think you are a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace? Here are some ways you can empower yourself: 1) Be vocal — learn to say ‘no’ to any favours or comments that seem offensive to you. Establish a written form of communication with the harasser and tell him/ her to cease unwelcome advances; keep a record of this communication to be used as evidence in any investigation. 2) As soon as you experience sexual harassment, prepare a detailed write-up including the name and designation of the person, the date, the time, the place and names of any witnesses. If possible, speak with co-workers who may be experiencing a similar problem. 3) Do not be afraid to tell your supervisor, your HR department or labour union about the harassment and do this as soon as possible. 4) Check the Employee’s Handbook to learn more
about your organisation’s complaint or grievance system, or speak with your supervisor or HR department to find out about the procedure to file a complaint. 5) If you feel your organisation has not opened an investigation into your claims or if you feel threatened, file an FIR. You must do this before filing a lawsuit for which you will have to contact a lawyer. There are authorities outside the organisation, including associations who can help you in this process, often connecting you to the ombudsman directly. 6) Be sure to inform your family and friends as you will need them for moral support. 7) As an employee of your organisation, and above all, as a citizen of Pakistan, it is your constitutional right to seek justice.
Moez Allidina is an OD consultant and trainer at Maktab Learning Solutions and a visiting faculty lecturer at SZABIST. FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
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COVER STORY
Truck art continues to be one of the most vibrant mediums of storytelling in Pakistan TEXT AND PHOTOS BY SA’ADIA KHAN DESIGN BY HIRA FAREED
Storytelling has taken distinct forms through the ages; it started with expressive cave or rock paintings and later took the form of books and movies. In Pakistan, unique tales from various regions have been preserved through the figures, motifs and poetry painted on cargoladen trucks. Truck art dates back to the 1920s when the subcontinent was under British rule. Back then, the indigenous art form was used to decorate carriages belonging to British aristocrats. Thereafter, transport companies employed craftsmen to decorate their vehicles to give them an edge over rivals and attract more clients. The designs took on a greater purpose and significance. They became the pride and joy of truck owners and drivers and an integral part of Pakistan’s culture after Partition.
COVER STORY
A craft for all seasons Professional truck artist Ghulam Mustafa, who prefers being known as a painter, claims that painting vehicles is all that he has ever known and wanted to do. “First there only used to be a symbol and a monogram on the trucks,” he recalls. “Paintwork took off around 1965.” Born in Abbotabad, Mustafa moved to Karachi at the age of six and after his matriculation joined his father and grandfather at their coachwork depot. “My dada (grandfather), Al Haj Shah Zaman, used to work in the stables in Abbotabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, painting and maintaining carriages. After gaining experience there he went on The rear to establish his own coachwork shop near Lady Garden end of a truck, Park, Abbotabad,” shares the third-generation artist, displaying poetry in urdu. whose seven brothers are also in the same business. While many value the artwork, few know about the backbreaking work that artists put into the intricate designs. Mustafa started etching designs on pieces of wood and then painting them when he was 15. By the Not only has the younger generation shifted to other age of 20 he was a proficient painter, recreating professions, even the paintwork has given a tiger from imagination. Artists are way to the comparatively less laborious generally given a blank canvas to use of chamak patti (reflective tape) work on freely after the truck to create designs. Until the early driver or owner has listed his The 1970s, reflective tape was preferences. “I work daylight decoration used purely for night-time hours until sunset and get a process begins after visibility on the front and day off on Fridays,” he says. rear of vehicles, explains The decoration process the vehicle undergoes Mustafa. But the use of begins after the vehicle structural changes, such as tape has recently become undergoes structural having the body reinforced and more elaborate and it is changes, such as having chassis strengthened. This can pasted on metal sheets the body reinforced and to produce colourful chassis strengthened. take anywhere between 10 days templates. Twenty-sixThis can take anywhere to a month to complete and year-old Majeed Ali has between 10 days to a cost ranges from Rs200,000 been working with chamak month to complete and to Rs1,000,000 patti since the age of 14, cost ranges from Rs200,000 which is obvious from his to Rs1,000,000. “If you build proficiency with a cutting a good reputation, you are blade. Ali acquired the skill never short of work. I have been from his teacher, Mohammad fortunate that our family has Saddique, who transitioned thrived over the years but my from a painter into a chamak patti son has not continued the artist in 1980. “For complete tape family legacy. He works in 32 a bank,” he adds. work, a truck stays with us for one
Evolution over time
FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
in Peshawar combine elements from both Rawalpindi and Swat. The most elaborate designs with intricate, mosaic appliqués and chrome originate from Balochistan. And Karachi, boasting the highest number of trucks in any city across Pakistan, has designs reminiscent of the cosmopolitan city. Since Karachi attracts drivers from all regions, this is
month and [the work] costs up to Rs200,000,” says Saddique, revealing that there is hardly a price difference between the two styles. Hence, the reflective tape overtook the traditional artwork due to increased visibility at night, long-term durability and ease of use. The early 1990s witnessed further dramatic changes in the artwork. Since there was an increasing demand for truck art, there was a rise in lucrative coachwork across regions, such as Quetta and Rahim Yar Khan. Trained artists took their profession back to their respective regions and began specialising in the art form. Ustad Mohammad Azam and his brother Mohammad Yasin from Jhelum, Wadua Ali from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India, and calligrapher Mohammad Rafiq from Taxila are considered to be founders of the progressive form of truck art which combines various forms, such as paint, chamak patti and calligraphy. While new forms of truck art have emerged over the years, the one feature that remains constant is the painting of verses (mostly depicting a forlorn lover) or profound messages (showcasing different social attitudes and political views) on the truck’s body. For instance, during the Gulf War many artists fashioned a portrait of Saddam Hussein on the back of trucks. Additionally, truck art in the country varies across regions. While Rawalpindi coachwork incorporates ornate metal bonnets with heavy plastic appliqué, trucks in Swat have distinctive carved wooden doors and designs
Kauser Nadim sitting outside his workshop in Rawalpindi where he makes miniature trucks with battery-operated engines. reflected in the amalgamation of truck art styles across the city. This fusion of styles can be seen in the form of heavily trimmed woodwork, prominent plastic work and camel bone inlay which is specific to Sindh. Kohl-lined, almond shaped eyes — a symbol of beauty — are also a common feature on trucks in the province. One feature, however, that is consistent across all regions is the multitude of chains dangling from bumpers, giving the vehicles the 33 name of ‘jingle trucks’. FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
COVER STORY I enjoy producing small pieces and love to see people purchase these items to take to other countries. It means a piece of my Pakistan will be with them in their homes Truck artist Habibur Rehman
Ejaz holds a cricket ball to be adorned with truck art for a customer.
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A winning colour scheme Recent years have seen exuberant truck art designs grace the ramp at fashion shows, making the craft one of the biggest forms of representational art in the country. From handbags to leather skirts, truck art has been marketed as a pattern unique to Pakistan. The trend is not just limited to fashion and many household industries have also picked up on truck art to give their products a vibrant edge. In 2010, Durre Samin, an architect and a passionate admirer of the arts, reintroduced truck art décor, specifically reflective tape, in household items such as custom-made mirror frames, boxes and trays. “I have always explored different mediums of expression and colour has remained a major source of inspiration for me,” she explains. The process of making ornaments starts with a sketch of the pattern, which is then etched into a steel sheet. Once the object has taken shape, it is adorned with fluorescent tape. “To be very honest, I am so against plastic but chamak patti has become such an integral medium in Pakistani truck art that there was no avoiding it,” shares Samin. “It brings its own language of detail to adornment while acknowledging its limitations as a utilitarian object, much like acrylic paints, which surfaced after oil paints,” she adds. The duo Habibur Rehman and his nephew Ejaz Ullah have also incorporated truck art into their ornament business. Operating from a quaint shop in Gunjmandi, Rawalpindi, they use both forms of truck art, painting and chamak patti, to decorate their handmade wares. Seventy-five-year-old Rehman has been a truck artist for 60 years. “I had to stop painting trucks some years ago [because] my knees became weak and climbing became nearly impossible for me,” he says. “I enjoy producing small pieces and love to see people purchase these items to take to other countries. It means a piece of my Pakistan will be with them in their homes,”
he adds. A custom-made frame with several portraitures takes 10 days to finish and requires a team of five to seven people with their own specialties and skill set, reveals Rehman. Once all the paintwork is complete, the frame is coated with synthetic enamel and varnish. “I can earn up to Rs5,000 per truck. Items for the shop are small and the work is more intricate but I still enjoy it and earn enough
Artist and architect Durre Samin’s studio and work space. appeal, the use of truck art and chamak patti will continue to enjoy an audience not just in Pakistan, but across the globe as well. Sa’adia Khan is a freelance photographer based in Islamabad. She tweets @IM_SaadiaKhan
Truck art has always been popular in Pakistan and is an integral part of our national identity. Habibur Rehman adding the finishing touches to a piece at his workshop in Rawalpindi. from it,” shares his nephew. Truck art is now a part of the country’s national identity. It has evolved into a cultural symbol and has been rescaled and incorporated into the growing local design industry. However, interest in truck art is not only limited to Pakistan. During the 2006 Commonwealth Games hosted in Australia, a daily commuter tram was decorated in the same manner and served as a tourist attraction. Judging by its mass
FEATURE
The lone warrior Mohammad Jibran Nasir stands firm in his stance against extremism despite countless challenges BY ZEESHAN SALAHUDDIN PHOTO BY MEHWISH RIZVI DESIGN BY SANOBER AHMED
Social activist, politician and lawyer, Mohammad Jibran Nasir first entered the political arena when he contested the 2013 elections as an independent candidate for NA-250 in Karachi. However, it is his recent standoff against the controversial Lal Masjid cleric Abdul Aziz — who openly defended the deadly attack on Army Public School, Peshawar, in December and is known to have links with militant outfits — which has pushed him into national spotlight. The 27-year-old has since organised additional protests, appeared on talk shows and fuelled his campaign primarily through social media. At the crux of all these activities is a straightforward demand: to eliminate all extremist, hate-mongering elements from the political, religious and social discourse in the country. The campaign’s most recent target of criticism has been the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ). “The protest against the ASWJ, formerly Sippah-e-Sahaba, created a lot of awareness about banned outfits and the state’s patronage towards them. At the
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FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
same time, it also made our citizens campaign more aggressive [since] Aurangzeb Farooqi, as opposed to Abdul Aziz, is more public and unapologetic about creating sectarian hatred,” says Nasir. While civil society has commended Nasir’s bravado and many have even stepped up in support of his mission, the job comes with its fair share of risks. “In the beginning, he was suspicious of certain people, and the paranoia from the call caused a lot of stress,” says Talha Rehman, Nasir’s cousin and a member of his de facto advisory board. The call he is referring to was received by Nasir during the Lal Masjid standoff. The caller, a spokesperson for a banned outfit, warned Nasir to cease his activism. No tangible threats have publically emerged since, but the incident has had a lasting impact. Nasir is a marked man. He no longer lives at home, instead spending his nights moving from one friend’s house to another, altering his movement patterns. Even his mother, who constantly fears for his life, barely gets to see him. And the fear is not unwarranted: Pakistan has a long and sordid history of assassinations of public figures and this raises a fair share of concern for Nasir. Despite the security concerns, Nasir uses public transport and moves around without any security. According to Nasir’s close friends, the stress of his campaign has taken an emotional, physical and mental toll on him, affecting his close relationships. There is, however, a unanimous agreement on his courage. “The risks he is taking, perceived or real, are tangible for him,” says Rehman. “He may be this great public figure, but privately, he is tired, lonely and under a lot of stress. But the one thing he is not, is afraid.” Nasir feels that the greatest threat is not to his life, but to his credibility as many have expressed doubts about his intentions. He has been accused by various groups and parties of being a member of a Shia organisation, an Ahmadi, a RAW agent and a tout for western powers, paid through NGOs. Mostly recently, on February 15, 2015, a First Information Report application was filed against Nasir and another activist, Khurram Zaki, alleging that they are members of a banned Shia outfit. Nasir says some of his close friends and family members have also questioned him about links to the army or accused him of undertaking the cause for attention and popularity. “My intentions are doubted a hundred times a day. But I will continue to go out on the roads, call the terrorists out by their names in front of their headquarters and hope that Pakistanis will one day step out of their fear and take on these goons.”
Moreover, political pundits, media personalities, and religious opposition have also posited the hand of foreign governments, the army, certain political parties and even religious lobbies as Nasir’s sources of funding. “My protests have no massive infrastructure. There are no huge speakers or elaborate sound systems or rows of chairs at any of my protests,” he says, adding that a protest in Islamabad on the one-month anniversary of the APS attacks was the only one that required funding as the costs added up to nearly Rs500,000. The expenditure was covered by willing Pakistanis in their individual capacities, Nasir says.
My intentions are doubted a hundred times a day. But I will continue to go out on the roads, call the terrorists out by their names in front of their headquarters and hope that Pakistanis will one day step out of their fear and take on these goons Activist Mohammad Jibran Nasir To address the issue of transparency, Nasir also plans to add a tab on his website which will track all donations and show where the money is being spent. Nasir’s days are spent brainstorming with his advisory board, determining the next steps for his movement, tentatively titled #ReclaimPakistan. His eventual goal, he says, is to rid Pakistan of extremist elements from its main urban centres. He feels he has a civic responsibility to fight this war in the cities while the Army already fights in places like North Waziristan and Tirah Valley. And that the battle comes with numerous challenges and sacrifices is a reality not lost on Nasir. Zeeshan Salahuddin is an Islamabad-based development professional and journalist. He tweets @zeesalahuddin. FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
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If you plan on watching Whiplash to get an insight into the creative struggles of an artist, you might be disappointed. But if you want to witness how the heart, body and soul of a star are broken for him to be moulded into a genius, then this film is right on the money. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, Whiplash tells the story of Andrew Nieman (Miles Teller), a first-year jazz drummer at New York's prestigious Shaffer Conservatory music school who aspires to join the leagues of maestros like Buddy Rich and Charlie Parker. Hence, when conductor Terrence Fletcher (J K Simmons) accepts him into his studio band as the core
drummer, Nieman is determined to let nothing stand in his way until he earns the approval of his mentor. Thereafter, the film follows the journey of the ambitious young drummer as he voluntarily strips himself of love, family, morals and ego just so he can rise to be the artist Fletcher wants him to be. But no matter what Nieman does, he always seems to fall short. The pressure and frustration The distance between that tears him apart as a result is almost being good and great is palpable. The tension is best captured in one of the longest the rehearsal scenes when Fletcher keeps urging the young drummer to go faster, completely BY SARAH MUNIR unfazed by his pained expression, blood-soaked hands and sweat-drenched body. And that’s just one of the many tortures Fletcher inflicts on those under his tutelage. His students are subjected to verbal insults, scorn, humiliation and even have a cymbal thrown at them for missing a note. Simmons gives a remarkable performance
Great Expectations
as the charismatic but draconian Fletcher. Everything from his formidable black attire to his piercing gaze and the movement of his hands as he signals his disapproval is played to perfection. And Teller matches him every step of the way as the intense, young man torn between hating Fletcher and yet being the only person whose approval he seeks. Apart from a few loose ends such as the lack of backstory on Fletcher, the plot maintains the complexity of all the characters rather than framing the story as a face-off between a hardworking musician and the villain who stands in the way of his glory. For instance, at a few
occasions one can see glimpses of Nieman where he oscillates from being a talented, sincere artist to a selfish, entitled star. Visually, the film has a dark, almost horror-like feel to it, which complements the plot perfectly. The dimly lit hallways of the music school provide an ideal backdrop for the battle of ego and skill unfolding within them. And the close-up shots of the drumming sticks against metal and skin allow the viewer to sense the intimacy of the bond between an artist and their craft. The real winner, however, is the unexpected final sequence. Overall, even though Whiplash is not a flawless masterpiece, it puts its money where its mouth is and does a great job of showing how daunting the gap between doing your best and being the best can be. T
Rating: Sarah Munir is magazine editor at The Express Tribune. She tweets @SarahMunir1
More on struggling artists Crazy Heart (2009)
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Based on a 1987 novel of the same name and inspired by country singer Hank Thompson, Crazy Heart revolves around a burnt out country artist who tries to turn his life around after getting into a relationship with a young journalist. FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
Black Swan (2010) A talented ballet dancer loses her grip on reality when confronted with competition and jealousy. Although the struggle is slightly unconventional, the film shows how vulnerable artists are when it comes to their craft.
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) The film documents one week in the life of New York City folk singer Llewyn Davis, who is trying to make it big while trying to preserve some semblance of normalcy in his daily life.
FILM
Fame and betrayal Big Eyes is the classic tale of a woman’s suffering in a chauvinist environment BY SAMEEN AMER
Despite being based on a fascinating tale about the union and eventual rift between an artist and a con artist, Tim Burton’s surprisingly conventional execution of Big Eyes is not nearly as compelling as it should have been. Set in the late 1950s, the film tells the story of Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) as she flees her marriage and moves to San Francisco where she falls for and eventually marries the charismatic Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz). Margaret paints big-eyed waifs and Walter paints Parisian street scenes but neither receives much acclaim for their art. However, through persistent hard work and some luck, Walter succeeds in generating interest in Margaret’s paintings while taking the credit himself. Although dismayed, Margaret reluctantly goes along with the fraud, as the artwork receives recognition despite being loathed by art critics. Walter, a gifted promoter, builds a successful enterprise by mass producing prints of the paintings, while Margaret toils away in secret, becoming increasingly discontent with the setup. It may not be the most exciting plot, but the real-life story behind Big Eyes is definitely intriguing. What the film lacks, however, is the depth and complexity that would have lifted the project into a truly impressive cinematic experience. Its straightforward, almost bland execution leaves its nuances unexplored and the one-sided take on events robs the movie 50 of the more realistic shades of grey that could FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
have captivated viewers as the events unfold. Big Eyes does succeed in bringing the midcentury world to life and is visually well-made. The acting talent is also noteworthy, despite the fact that the supporting cast is mostly underused. Adams’ gentle performance as a protagonist is the highlight of the movie and she adds a much-needed layer of emotion to the proceedings. On the other hand Waltz’s over-the-top performance, though not necessarily bad on its own, takes his showmanship to cartoonish proportions and clashes with Amy’s tender turn. It mostly appears as if the actors were operating in two different films and did not belong in the same frame. Populated by one-note characters and bogged down by an uneven tone, Big Eyes ultimately leaves you with the impression that it does not paint a complete picture of events. The film’s approach is too straightforward and uninspiring, especially coming from someone like Tim Burton, whose trademark offbeat touch is mostly missing from this subdued outing. But thanks largely to Amy Adams, Big Eyes is worth a watch and at times even enjoyable, although the overall experience falls short of memorable.
Rating: Sameen Amer is a Lahore-based freelance writer and critic. She tweets @Sameen
More artist biopics Pollock (2000) Based on the life of American painter Jackson Pollock (Ed Harris), the film explores the abstract expressionist’s artistic work as well as his personal demons.
Frida (2002) The biographical drama based on the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek) chronicles her volatile marriage, health problems and work.
Mr. Turner (2014) Eccentric British painter JMW Turner (Timothy Spall) is the subject of Mr. Turner, a film that focuses on the last quarter century of his life, as he travels, paints and forms a close relationship with his landlady (Marion Bailey).
FILM
Spoiled rotten The Riot Club takes you inside the lives of the people you love to hate BY SANAM MAHER
If you have to ask to join the Riot Club, the club doesn’t want you. How will you know if you’re one of the chosen ones in this elite all-male Oxford University club? Chances are you’ll find yourself blindfolded, gulping down a drink that is liberally garnished with cigarettes, maggots, snot … do you want me to go on? If this sounds like child’s play, rest assured, it’s not. Once you’re anointed a member of this all-male elite Oxford University club, you’re set for life. You automatically become friends with the billionaires of your generation, the men who will run countries, corporations and — for the moment — your college. That’s the lure of the club for two freshmen Alistair and Miles, who endure several rounds of hazing before they’re accepted as members. A celebratory dinner is organised to welcome the fresh Rioters, but this is no ordinary welcome party, as the two freshmen discover. Reputations are made or broken at the table, as the 10 members of the club go to any lengths to get the popular vote to bag the coveted president’s slot. Lone Scherfig’s The Riot Club is an adaptation of the 2010 British play Posh, based on the exploits of members of Oxford University’s Bullingdon Club, founded in 1870. Previous Bullingdon members include British prime minister David Cameron, chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne and London mayor Boris Johnson. But while they go to great lengths to join the club, no member would want to be publicly identified as 52 a ‘Buller’. FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
Bullers are banned from meeting within 15 miles of Oxford ever since a dinner in 1927 when one member of the club smashed every single window on a college’s grounds. A dining society, the Bullingdon prides itself on a no-holds-barred approach to seeking pleasure. The club holds two main events during the year — a breakfast and a dinner — where each member is provided with his own garbage bag at the start of the event, just in case the opulent dinner or freeflowing booze makes you want to vomit. So you can see why it would be awkward for the British PM if stories of drug use, trashing Michelin-starred restaurants and fist fights were to be spoken of — in fact, a photograph of the PM from his Bullingdon days has been whitewashed from the media after the picture’s owners withdrew permission to reproduce it anywhere. The Riot Club faithfully reenacts these dinners and is set in the dining room of a local pub. As the audience is trapped in this room for much of the film, it becomes evident pretty fast what binds these 10 boys together, besides their staggering wealth. Each nurses a chip on his shoulder against the ‘plebs’ — the swarming ‘lower’ and ‘working class’ population — who don’t simply bow and scrape before these rich boys as they really should. Just as you’re getting
deliciously puffed up with indignity at the boys’ politically incorrect rants, you’re deflated by just how shrill and predictable their detractors sound. Therefore, it is easy to understand why Miles doesn’t walk out of the dinner as he becomes the butt of the club’s vicious humour when the other members find out his girlfriend is ‘not posh’ — he might not like being bullied, but he doesn’t want to be one of the outsiders, sniffing judgmentally at the cool crowd. The film doesn’t let its viewers comfortably take sides and, in doing so, leaves one with the cinematic equivalent of a wriggly tooth you just can’t leave alone — it’s terrible when rich people behave badly, but boy oh boy we love watching them when they do. T Rating: Sanam Maher is a senior subeditor on The Express Tribune Magazine desk. She tweets @SanamMKhi
GREEN THUMB
Not just a pretty wallflower
The sweet-smelling Narcissus can be used to treat ailments such as acne and stress TEXT AND PHOTO BY HUMA CHOUDHARY
The sweet-smelling Narcissus flower gives the otherwise dry winter season a unique splendour. The wild, pint-sized flower mostly grows in Swat and surrounding areas and is transported all over Pakistan for a short period from December to February. When winter arrives, street vendors can be seen in bustling markets and at traffic signals, carrying bunches of this delicate daffodil in open baskets, ready for purchase. “Most customers prefer Narcissus’s fragrance over tuberoses,” says Shafi Hussain, a florist in Jinnah Super flower market. The flowers are transported in trucks from Swat and Mansehra or from local graveyards (where the buds are used to decorate
graves). “We don’t get very many of these flowers in big markets in the city,” Shafi adds. The flower is usually found at the banks of rivers and lakes and takes its name from a mythical Greek hero. Narcissus was the son of the river god Cephissus and was distinguished by his remarkable good looks. He fell in love with his own reflection in the waters of a spring, believing he was looking at a water sprite. Narcissus drowned in this spring and it is said that the flower grew at the spot where he died. Thus ‘narcissism’ derives its meaning from this tragic hero obsessed with his own image. Often referred to as Poet’s Daffodils, the flower has inspired scores of poets and writers, including Allama Iqbal who wrote the following lines,
Muhammad Amir, who has been running an ittar (concentrated perfumed oil) shop
54 in Jinnah Super market for the last 20 years. FEBRUARY 22-28 2015
“Hazaaron saal Nargis apni benuri pe roti rahi” (the Narcissus cries for millennia over its blindness). But the Narcissus is no wallflower — the flower’s extract and oils have myriad uses. “Narcissus, rose and jasmine are three core floral scents that are widely used in perfumery all over the world,” says Muhammad Amir, who has been running an ittar (concentrated perfumed oil) shop in Jinnah Super market for the last 20 years. The flower’s extract is heated using sandalwood as base to make the concentrated oil, which can be applied directly or mixed with chemicals for a diluted fragrance. A bottle with 24ml of the oil costs Rs1,000 and Amir said women in their mid-30s to late-50s prefer using concentrated oil over regular perfumes. “The scent of narcissus oil is rich and can be overwhelmingly powerful,” says Nancy Jalma, a massage therapist based in Islamabad. “If used in small quantities, the oil calms the nerves and helps to ease stress.” Rizwan Hafeez, a herbal medicine practitioner elaborates that Narcissus and other daffodils have been used frequently in folk and traditional medicine. It can be mixed with melon to treat acne problems and some women with uterine fibroids are advised to drink boiled water with Narcissus petals in it, Hafeez adds. T Huma Choudhary is a photojournalist working for The Express Tribune. She tweets @huma_choudhary