ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN YOULIN MAGAZINE
Written by: Nayha Jehangir Khan Posted on: September 09, 2020 | | 中文
Tabrez Sherak at Shanasa
Important conversations on mental health are gently traversed in the independently created web series by Shanasa Films, titled ‘Talk To Me’. Directed and written by Tabrez Sherak, this six-part series is the beginning of an open discussion into the difficult subject matter of mental health, and the difficulties of seeking therapy in Pakistan. At Shanasa Films, artists come together to create stories about relationships, family, identity, cultural and social norms, the success and failures of life, as mediums for self-expression. The journey of the aspiring production house has jumped-started, with this poignant and empathetic series for its multicultural audience.
The Poster for Talk To Me
NJK: Shanasa is a dedicated space in Islamabad, where you host talks, screenings and art exhibitions that encourage dialogue on mental health and social issues. Has this activity at Shanasa inspired you to create this series?
TS: I created Shanasa as a production house to make films centered around mental health. It is collaborative and interactive. I believe mental health is reflected in every aspect of our life, and I wanted people to come together to showcase their work and talk on these themes.
NJK: You created a Shanasa's ‘Mental Health Guidebook - A-Z Express!’, in collaboration with a Pakistani artist. Can you share the details of that publication?
TS: In 2019, I published an e-book. I wrote it in a way that it would be more like a companion than a simple book, like a source of comfort for the reader. When finalising the publishing, I felt as though it lacked something. This was a period of immense frustration, but also the beginning of writing the first screenplay draft for the series, ‘Talk To Me’. My book needed a visual accompaniment that communicated the emotional vocabulary of the text. I decided to illustrate the book and messaged the artist, Abdal Mufti. Reaching out to him was like an instinctive reflex. I had been following his artist page, and his work resonated with me on a personal level.
I contacted him via email, telling him how I wrote a mental health guidebook using feelings/emotions assigned to letters of the A-Z alphabets and tried adapting it to a local narrative. Each feeling was titled in Roman Urdu to make it accessible for Pakistani readership. Abdal was gracious enough to accept my offer for a collaboration. The visual additions really gave it a good finishing touch, by giving visual meaning to the words. His visual response is a precious contribution and makes this project a special accomplishment.
Artwork by Abdal Mufti for 'Mental Health Guidebook - A-Z Express!'
NJK: You not only directed but also wrote all the episodes. Walk us through how Shanasa Films was created?
TS: I want to tell stories that showcase a diverse range of experiences, with equal empathic understanding. I wanted to orchestrate these scenarios on screen and make it a fulfilling experience. For me, it would be a tragedy if someone didn't get the chance to tell their story. Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, there so much to learn, unlearn, embrace and understand.
NJK: During the seven episodes, we experience complex emotions, the frustrations of unfinished business between couples, family and the self. These relatable characters feel like a reflection of ourselves. What are the inspirations behind the stories?
TS: The web series is inspired by stories that I've heard and experienced myself. The feelings expressed by the characters aren’t a reflection of the scenario presented, but a deep dive into their psyche, highlighting the ephemeral human condition. For example, Sarah and Kabir talking about their marriage is an access point into their emotional landscape, that runs deeper than the apparent confusion and frustration of their conflict. Sofia and Mrs. Uzma are not in the same space but overlap through shared emotions. There are parallel timelines and narratives interconnected with each other, through how each character expresses their emotion. I wanted to emphasize on the intergenerational connections as well.
Hamza Baig (Ahmer) and Arooj Naveed (Noor) in 'Talk to Me'
Ahmer & Noor were trying to resolve a marital conflict by asking difficult questions of fidelity. Sonia stands out as the only transgender character, and shared her struggles of being seen as a one-dimensional trans-activist, The last episode reveals the unseen therapist, who shares their empathetic understanding of all his clients. All of it is very raw & unfiltered, much like real life.
NJK: There are non-actors in the series, can you share highlights of giving them direction and preparing them for the role?
TS: Technically, no one in the cast has formal acting experience, except Aisha Mughal, who plays Sonia. I conversed with each actor in great detail about the character, and we formed their onscreen personalities collaboratively. Marya Javed, who is a filmmaker herself, agreed to be cast as Sarah, and she was a natural for the role. I didn't even ask Areesha Zaki (Sofia), but simply handed her the script and she was kind enough to accept the role.
Marya Javed as 'Sara' in the First Episode of 'Talk to Me'
Hamza Baig (Ahmer) & Arooj Naveed (Noor) auditioned and instantly got the parts because of how effortlessly they complimented each other on camera. I would encourage them to express their rage and anger by screaming, we listened to sad songs before filming and worked through the scene together. It was a wonderful experience.
Mrs. Shireen Zahid (Mrs. Uzma) was a senior actor and a director's dream because she completely surrendered herself to the script and embodied the character. Mr. Asadullah Khan as Dr. Raza, the therapist, was extremely patient with my demanding direction and changing his dialogues mid-shot for the final episode. We recorded over 70 sound bytes with multiple retakes, and I'm thankful he stuck by me through the complicated process.
NJK: Shanasa Films is entirely self-funded and currently a passion project. How do you hope to become self-sustainable in the future?
TS: Shanasa sustains itself on passion. Everyone involved gave a part of themselves to this project. Now that we have a strong foundation, the growth and success will depend on the audience.
As for the team, Amber Javed believed in the project as the Executive Producer, and was strong support for the entire production, as was Sarah Rajper, our colour grader. Saadullah Khan, our lens through which we see these stories, was my support system. Payam Mashrequi helped with sound design, and Maha Dar, our dedicated Line Producer, effortlessly managed the set keeping us on track for the 18-hour shoot. The entire cast and crew embraced the project as their own. Marya Javed helped finalize the edits, all my friends and family heard me whine, obsess and endlessly discuss ‘Talk To Me’. Lastly, Zahra Paracha gave us permission to feature her song ‘Tum Kaafi Ho’ (You are Enough). In a nutshell, as long as we stay connected and support each other, we'll be okay.
It is refreshing to see production companies like Shanasa address issues of mental health which are still seen as a stigma by society. They do so by showcasing everyday people on screen and telling everyday stories. There is hope that through creative pursuits and interactive platforms, people can reach out to those who are silently struggling with mental health issues. People interested in the series can watch ‘Talk to Me’ on Youtube, or follow Shanasa on Instagram. Those who wish to read ‘Mental Health Guidebook - A-Z Express!’, can find the link here.
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