Half Widow
SYNOPSIS
Amid the backdrop of the Kashmiri conflict, a young woman must come to grips with the disappearance of her doting husband and embarks on harrowing journey of self-discovery. A young Kashmiri woman, Neela is enjoying her new marriage. Her doting husband Khalid has welcomed her little brother Zakir into their home. But outside their walls, the Kargil War of 1999 rages, and suddenly Khalid is kidnapped by paramilitary forces in the middle of the night. So begins Neela's journey as a half-widow, held in limbo without her husband and unable to start a new life. The search for Khalid consumes her. Times passes, as does the war, and yet still Neela learns nothing. Her sorrow becomes a shackle and apathy for life settles in. Neela's sense of self is all but lost, consumed with the fact she is without her husband, a man she loved. But after Zakir is arrested defending her from police, a new light of hope flickers as she recognizes the importance of family sacrifice, igniting inside her a new quest for meaning and fulfillment.
TRAILER
DIRECTOR'S PROFILE
Danish Renzu - A native of Kashmir and alumnus of UCLA, film director Danish Renzu hopes to inspire a new generation of Kashmiri filmmakers to practice their art as a force for unity in the conflicted region. He has directed several short films including award winning "In Search of America, Inshallah" (2014). His first film “Half Widow” (2017) showcases the plight of a Kashmiri half widow and received rave reviews worldwide premiering at Seattle International Film Festival. “The Illegal” (2018) stars Academy winning “Life of Pi” star Suraj Sharma in the lead explores a journey of an immigrant in Los Angeles and his journey towards the American dream. His next film “Pashmina”, set for release next year and telling the tales of several Kashmiri lives upended by decades of strife. The film comprises of a stellar cast and crew. He is also working on a musical Songs of Paradise set in Kashmir reviving music and art in Kashmir. He opened his own home production in Kashmir with a goal of reviving cinema back in the valley encouraging youth and local talent to pursue their dreams, also bring the lost culture, music and traditions of Kashmir to a worldwide audience.
CREDITS
Crew:
Director/Producer/Writer: DANISH RENZU
Producer/Writer: GAYA BHOLA
Co-Producer(s): VIJAY BHOLA, RHONDA LEAL, FARZANA ALI, FAROOQ RENZU SHAH, & HEIDI BASCH HAROD
Creative Producer(s): SUNAYANA KACHROO
Executive Producer(s): NAHIDA NAZIR, VIJAY BHOLA, CORINE ARZOOMANIAN, RICHARD FRIEDMAN, J. VICTOR, SARWAN WASON, UMA WASON & SHAFAT QAZI
Line Production Company: Renzu Films
Cinematographer: ANTONIO CISNEROS
Music: ALOKANANDA DASGUPTA
Sound Design: AVINASH SONAWANE
Playback singer(s): SONU NIGAM, DALIP LANGOO, NOOR MOHAMMAD & MAHMEET SYED
Editor: NITIN BAID
Dialogues, Poetry & Lyrics: SUNAYANA KACHROO
Colorist: ROBERT CURREIRI
Music on: Zee Music Company
Production Companies:
Renzu Films
Gaya Art Films, LLC
Rock On Motion Pictures
Zee Music Company
Instagram handle: @Halfwidow
Facebook: www.facebook.com/halfwidow
Cast: NEELOFAR HAMID (Neela) SHAHNAWAZ BHAT (Zakir) MIR SARWAR (Khalid) HASEENA SOFI (Khaala) YASMEENA WANI (Zynab) AYAAN SIKANDER (Faizan) YOUSUF SHAHNAZ (Bakarwaal) RHONDA LEAL (Eva)
AWARDS
Audience Choice Best Feature Film at SAIFF Best Director, Dada Sahab Phalke Film Festival 2018 Best Director, NJIFF Best Film, NJIFF In Competition at Asia Pacific Star Awards, Australia Best Actress, Best Cinematographer, Best Film Nomination, Boston India & International Film Festival Best Director Rising Star, DCSAFF, Washington DC Best Cinematographer Antonio Cisneros, Boston India & International Film Festival Best Feature Film, Vancouver South Asian International Film Festival Best Actress, Caleidoscope International Film Festival Rhode Island Movie
STILLS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
