TEXAS PREMIERES
Saturday night brings two features from Pakistan: GHOST SCHOOL directed by Seemab Gul and LALI directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat.
*this film program is eligible to be redeemed as part of a 5-ticket package.
GHOST SCHOOL dir. Seemab Gul | Pakistan, Germany, Saudi Arabia | Texas Premiere | 1 hour 38 min.
AAAFF alum Seemab Gul (SANDSTORM/MULQUAT, 2022) returns with her feature directorial debut, GHOST SCHOOL. When the last school in Rabia’s village in Pakistan abruptly shuts down, she becomes determined to uncover the truth behind its closure. Rumors spread that the school is haunted and that one of the teachers has been possessed by a jinn. But the deeper Rabia digs, the more elusive the answers become. Desperate for clarity, she gathers a group of students to rid the school of the supposed spirit. But does it work? Or is the truth far more complicated than anyone imagined? Nazualiya Arsalan delivers a captivating performance as Rabia, grounding the film’s mystery with remarkable depth. As her obsession with uncovering the truth intensifies, audiences will find themselves just as anxious, if not more so, to understand what is really happening behind closed doors. - Neha Aziz, Artistic Director
Language: Urdu; with English subtitles.
LALI | dir. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat | Pakistan | Texas Premiere | 1hr 50min.
The first thought that came to mind while watching LALI from director Sarmad Sultan Khoosat was: this is a chaotic Monsoon Wedding. Zeba (Mamya Shajaffar) appears to be cursed, after all, her three previous suitors all died before saying “I do.” Perhaps with Sajawal (Channan Hanif), the fourth time will finally be the charm. But then again, maybe not. One thing is certain: something is plaguing this couple and their wedding, and as tensions rise and secrets unravel, the film leans fully into its darkly comedic turns. A visceral fever dream, LALI will take you one wild ride. Are you ready? - Neha Aziz, Artistic Director
Language: Punjabi; with English subtitles.