A documentary on the life of one of the country’s most acclaimed actors, the late Zia Mohyeddin, is all set for its international release at the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF). With 15 years of work put in by producer Umar Riaz and his team at Asna Pictures, the documentary is set to feature on international screens.
In a post, Riaz shared that The Colour of My Heart will have its first international premiere at the 49th edition of the AAIFF in New York City. “We could not have wished for a more special return for this project than to New York City,” he said.
The film took its first step as Riaz’s thesis project at university well over a decade ago, and it is where the post-production was completed. “We cannot wait to celebrate with our beloved team members there,” Riaz said. He also mentioned how the film will be a gateway for “a vital part of our culture to an audience in the city.”
The film follows Mohyeddin’s journey as he dedicated his final years to reviving the lost art of Urdu poetry and ensuring its legacy for future generations of South Asians. It shares an in-depth insight into his life between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, with the poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz interwoven into the story.
The work is an ode to cultural giants and to a man whose influence on Pakistan’s cultural scene has lived on through his work on stage and on screen.
The film began screening in Pakistani theatres on February 6, and after a limited cinema run, Riaz shared that he planned to bring the film back to the country’s screens this autumn.
Mohyeddin remains a renowned name in Pakistani theatre, film, and television. With mesmerising performances and unwavering commitment, he inspired a new wave of South Asians to reconnect with their literary heritage.
According to the AAIFF, Riaz is a Lahore-born filmmaker and photographer with a Student Oscar nomination and an MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. His films have previously been screened at Locarno, Raindance, Woodstock, Cinequest, and Urbanworld. In 2020, he also represented Pakistan at Expo Dubai with a film installation as part of the Pakistan Pavilion, which won the Silver Award for Best Exhibition Design across 192 countries.
The AAIFF will run from July 30 to August 9, with The Colour of My Heart being presented on the festival’s last day.