Make It Look Real
by Danial Shah
Synopsis
A local photo studio in Pakistan serves as a vibrant cultural hub where personal dreams and community connections are brought to life through photography. The filmmaker, a displaced native, partners with Sakhi, a photographer yearning for a life abroad, to explore the aesthetics and economics of image-making shaped by socio-political influences and social class. As customers enter with their unique fantasies and desires, each photograph emerges as a powerful representation of their aspirations, reflecting the intricate interplay between identity and longing.
CREDITS
With Muhammad Sakhi
Camera and Sound: Danial Shah
Editing: Sébastien Demeffe
Sound Mix and Design: Thomas Ferrando
A film developed in the framework of SIC.
Co-producers: Video Power (NL) and Atelier Graphoui (BE).
More information
Duration: 48′
Language: Vo French
Subtitles: English, French
Web site: https://www.danialshah.com
Projections – Screenings
True/False Film Fest, Columbia, USA, 02/2025
Festival de cinéma En Ville !, Bruxelles, Belgium, 01/2025
Rung Film Festival, Houston, USA, 04/2025
