Disney is really getting the hang of inclusivity. This year the production giant is set to produce a short film about a Pakistani family celebrating Eid in the United States.
Disney already posted a casting call for the project, which is open to people without any acting experience provided they fit the bill.
A Hollywood writer shared the news on Twitter. Of course, the opportunity is only for people based in Los Angeles.
https://twitter.com/SarahxAnwer/status/1255197089383903234
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Even better is the fact that a Pakistani-American director Aqsa Altaf is spearheading the project.
https://twitter.com/SarahxAnwer/status/1255240201124937736
More details
The story will focus on how moving to the US and starting from scratch affects a family, particularly the children of one Pakistani family, Ameena and Zara.
The eldest Zara, is keen to conform to life as a tween in the US, even if it means forfeiting her friendship with her baby sister.
“Zara desperately wants to fit in at her new school in the United States, …. She wants to be called Z, practices speaking with an American accent, and wears clothes that show her legs.”
Ameena the youngest, on the other hand, is comfortable with her identity and wants to share the joy of her favorite holiday, Eid. This little heroine even starts a petition in hopes of getting the day off to celebrate the important Muslim holiday.
When things get rocky, this seven-year-old loses hope. But all is not lost.
“Heartbroken, Ameena gives up and concludes that she may never celebrate Eid again. She is surprised the next day to discover that her parents have collaborated with her teacher to have a special Eid celebration in the classroom”
The short film won’t be filmed until later this year.
This is so cute ! Makes me proud to be Pakistani 💪🏽
— a •mad (@amad_core) April 29, 2020
Of course, not everyone was thrilled about this move by Disney.
https://twitter.com/zhasa18/status/1255319139847213057
https://twitter.com/zeb_akber/status/1255198617285033984
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All the pointless complaining aside, one person did make a valid point. All brown people are not the same, so let’s not cast any South Asian and call it a representation of Pakistan.
https://twitter.com/meatyhen/status/1255476006586068992
