Moving Image: Documenting Resilience and Poetic Alliances
The moving image holds a distinct power to capture the human voice, the rhythm of a city, and the silent weight of systemic isolation. This gallery brings together two essential arms of my video work: The Forgotten Files, a documentary project preserving the living testimonies of young positive people navigating structural barriers in Pakistan, and Poetic Art Collaborations, which utilize metaphor, soundscapes, and fine art to challenge how society labels marginalized bodies.
By capturing these journeys on camera, these films preserve memory, expose institutional shortcomings, and build artistic solidarity across borders. Explore the frames, listen to the testimonies, and witness the hidden narratives of our collective survival.
1. Mahi Ali: The Lost Interviews
- Title: Mahi Ali: A Transgender Woman’s Fight for Health & Rights in Multan
- Series Anchor: The Forgotten Files (Part 1)
- Year: Recorded 2020 | Released 2026
- Medium: Documentary Short Film | Digital Video
- Project Video Link: Watch on YouTube
- Recorded in 2020 but delayed for years due to severe resource limitations, this premier documentary marks the launch of The Forgotten Files. The film documents Mahi Ali, a transgender woman navigating extreme healthcare discrimination and spatial isolation in Multan.
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2. Penjaga Hutan Batu (Guardian of the Stone Jungle پتھر کے جنگل کا محافظ )
- Title: Penjaga Hutan Batu (Urdu: پتھر کے جنگل کا محافظ / English: Guardian of the Stone Jungle)
- Collaborating Artists: Khairullah Rahim (Singapore) & Ali Raza Khan (Pakistan)
- Year: 2024
- Medium: Poetic Art Film | Mixed Media Video Installation
- Language & Subtitles: Audio in Malay | Subtitles in English and Urdu
- Filming Locations: Singapore and Multan
- Project Video Link: Watch on Vimeo
- An international collaborative poetry film showcased at the International AIDS Conference 2024 in Munich. The project draws a striking parallel between the urban pigeon vilified as a disease carrier and the hyper-vigilant existence of queer individuals navigating conservative spaces.