Documentary 'Journey of Friendship' launched in Singapore

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Singapore, Dec 15: Saadia Haseeb Production's (SHP) travelogue "A Journey of Friendship" (JoF), a 13-Episode series on China, was launched at the Pakistan Embassy in Singapore on Saturday.

"Journey of Friendship" is a unique media cooperation project initiated by Saadia Haseeb with a mission to boost understanding and people to people contact between Pakistan and China. Saadia Haseeb, producer of JoF, is the Head of the Cultural Wing of Pakistan-China Institute. This venture is a first of its kind by a Pakistani team and depicts the Chinese culture, lifestyle, cuisine, architecture, history and more. Ms. Saadia Haseeb, Managing Director of SHP informed the audience that it is for the first time that Chinese culture has been introduced to the peoplen of Pakistan by a Pakistani production team. "A Journey of Friendship" was launched in Beijing, China before coming to Singapore.

Addressing the gathering, Pakistan's High Commissioner in Singapore, Syed Hasan Javed, stated that this travelogue on China will help in enhancing the understanding, friendship, and goodwill between Pakistan and the Chinese speaking community in East Asia. The event was attended by prominent cultural bodies and personalities of Singapore including heads of Singapore-China Society, representatives of Singapore-Chinese Women Association and media bodies. The travelogue is eagerly awaited to be screened on TV channels in Pakistan. The travelogue is a valuable insight for all those who visit China or are interested in knowing more about Chinese lifestyle. The travelogue covers six cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau. The short video shown at the launch was well received by the audience.

Seeing China through a Pakistani's eyes

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A 13-episode documentary depicting Chinese culture, history, society and tourism through the eyes of a Pakistani tourist premiered Monday at the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing.

"The Journey of Friendship" was shot in six Chinese cities-Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau-in 20 days. In collaboration with China Central TV Station, the production team captured 64 destinations including architectural wonders like the Great Wall, natural beauty like the Karst landforms and Li River of Guilin, Chinese cuisine and traditional arts, and the Chinese way of life.

Through the experiences of the host, one can see the awe and fascination of a tourist when he encounters the grandeur of China for the first time, filmmakers said.

"It is the first time for me Pakistan to make a documentary featuring Chinese culture and tourism," said director Saadia Haseeb. "Through this program we have endeavored to bring to the Pakistani audience a holistic yet intensive understanding of our favorite neighbor."

The production team also interviewed the Chinese who are involved in improving China-Pakistan relations. The series features Tang Mengsheng, director of the Pakistan Studies Center of Peking University.

"We always say that the Sino-Pak friendship is higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans. But we need to think it seriously that how could we do to keep this momentum," Tang said at the film's launch ceremony. "Pakistan has done a lot in China's stepping-out and we cannot forget our old friend."

The film is a window to the Chinese world, according to Chen Zuming, vice president of the China Association of International Friendly Contact "I hope that the Chinese side can do the same thing you've done soon," Chen told attendees at the launch.

After its Beijing premiere, the program will debut in Singapore later this month. It will also be televised in Pakistan and on CCTV early next year.

The production team plans to start shooting a new documentary featuring Pakistani culture, people and society next year as a sequel to the series.

Source: http://www.china.org.cn/video/2012-12/11/content_27382250.htm

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/video/2012-12/17/content_16026189.htm

After successful completion of the shooting in China, the cultural counselor Excellency Yang LinHai invited the team to a celebratory banquet held in the cultural office in Islamabad.

Pak film crew documents Chinese culture, prosperity

BEIJING: A Pakistani film crew is making documentary on the progress, rich cultural history and phenomenal rise of China, as part of the celebrations marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The five-member group, led by Saadia Haseeb travelled the length and breadth of the country to film a 13-episode series which would be telecast on major Pakistani television networks later this year.

The team’s visit was hosted by China Central Television (CCTV).

Ms. Haseeb is the head of the Cultural Wing of the Pakistan-China Institute, the first non-governmental organization in Pakistan devoted to promoting bilateral relations.         

Highlighting the cooperation between the Pakistan-China Institute and CCTV and the aim of the project, she said: “The objective is to bring the people of both countries closer and to reinforce the special bond that exists between our nations. We are focusing on different facets of China’s diverse heritage, culture, cuisine and the amazing progress made under the banner of the Communist Party of China, which is also celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.”

They have filmed at various locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau. The television series, the first of its kind, would also be shown in China.

“We also have plans to make a sequel of this series, in which a Chinese host will visit and explore Pakistan for the Chinese audience”, Ms. Haseeb added.

Besides Ms. Haseeb, other members of the team are: Soheb Akhter (director), Adnan Malik (host), Fareedud din (cameraman), Shahid Latif (sound recordist), Danyal Haseeb (researcher), Shahneez Haseeb (coordinator).