“Zalzala: The Pakistan Earthquake”
Project Summary

In April of 2006, after months of planning, Hickory Dickory Documentary Films traveled to the Kashmir region of Pakistan to film reconstruction efforts in the wake of the  magnitude 7.8 Earthquake that took the lives of approximately 80,000 people – almost half of which were children. Zalzala: The Pakistan Earthquake is a one-hour documentary film that examines the human impact of such a disaster.

From the outset, it was obvious that there would be challenges: The temperature ranged from a sweaty 38C to a mind-boggling 48C; there were safety issues, including Pakistan’s ongoing clash with India over the disputed Pakistan-India border; as is the case in any foreign country, transportation, communications, and logistics were all difficult; and, though it received less attention, Bird Flu became an issue while HDDF was on Pakistani soil.

After landing in Islamabad, the HDDF crew traveled to Muzaffarabad, the epicentre of the 08 October 2005 Earthquake. It was from there that they based their operations and traveled to the more remote areas of Bala Kot, Mansera, Batagram, and other affected communities. With their translator, Imran, they documented the stories of victims and rescuers, doctors and patients, mothers and daughters – as one man said, “There were fathers without sons, and sons without fathers…everywhere.”

Initially, Human Concern International, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with offices in Ottawa, provided a vehicle, driver, and accommodations in Muzaffarabad. After a few days, however, the team was invited to stay with the United Nations’ World Food Program and decided that, given the task at hand, we’d be much better able to concentrate on filming with their help. It was an excellent opportunity: The UN was instrumental in providing early intervention during the disaster and, for that reason, was able to provide the HDDF team with invaluable information as well as security and helicopter transport into inaccessible areas of Kashmir.

Over the course of the next four weeks, the HDDF team traveled in Tuk-Tuks (Rickshaws), Pakistani Art Trucks, United Nations SUVs, etc. The crew visited primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools to speak with staff about current needs. They visited paediatric wards in hospitals and the elderly in their shelters. In doing so, members of HDDF gained an understanding of the effects of the disaster. But they also witnessed first-hand the hospitality and generosity of the people of Pakistan. Whether it was a poor family living in a tent and inviting a stranger for a cold drink or an old man offering to stand guard outside his tent while the team slept, it was obvious that Muslim culture is one of tolerance, understanding, and peace – not, as the media would have us believe, one of violence, oppression, and war. In the end, Zalzala: The Pakistan Earthquake will be about people.

The project itself is a humanitarian effort designed to support the rebuilding of disaster-affected Pakistan. The film is intended to provide a heightened awareness of the devastating living conditions, as well as encourage aid relief throughout the reconstruction phase.

In these days of political instability and intolerance, HDDF also hopes that Zalzala: The Pakistan Earthquake will foster improved relations between Canada and Muslim countries as a whole, leading to a more equitable and prosperous world for our children and theirs