Documentary on Sheema Kermani wins awards at Montreal Film Festival

A documentary based on the life of trained classical dancer and women rights activist Sheema Kermani won big at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (SAFFM).

Titled With Bells on her Feet, the documentary won two awards—the Jury Award and Audience Choice award for Best Short Documentary.

https://www.facebook.com/saffmtl/videos/2518517724902980/

Directed by Taimur Rahim, it talks about the renowned dancer’s fight against social injustice and how she practiced her art despite strong opposition.

For Kermani, there is a direct relation between dance and liberation in the film. “When a woman stands on stage to dance, what she’s saying is, here I am; I am not ashamed of my body. I am confident and I do not fear you.”

https://www.facebook.com/taimur.rahim/videos/10156879503516532/

A documentary on the slain life of T2F founder Sabeen Mahmud won the Director’s Choice Award meanwhile Indus Blues, another documentary on Pakistan’s folk music bagged the Jury award for Best Documentary Feature at the film festival.