Good Morning Karachi (formerly Rafina)[2] is a 2013 Pakistani drama film directed by Sabiha Sumar and produced by Sachithanandam Sathananthan under the banner Vidhi Films.[3] The film is written by Malia Scotch Marmo, Sumar and Samhita Arni, based on the novel Rafina by the acclaimed Pakistani writer Shandana Minhas.

Good Morning Karachi
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySabiha Sumar
Written byMalia Scotch Marmo, Sabiha Sumar, and Samhita Arni
Based onRafina
by Shandana Minhas
Produced bySachithanandam Sathananthan
Starring
Production
company
Vidhi Films
Distributed byA-Plus Films
Footprint Entertainment
Release dates
  • 9 November 2013 (2013-11-09) (SAIFF)
  • 1 January 2015 (2015-01-01) (Pakistan)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryPakistan
LanguagesUrdu, English
Box officeRs. 4.5 million (US$16,000)[1]

Synopsis

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It is the story of a young girl, Rafina, (Amna Ilyas) who chases her dream to become a renowned model.[2]

Cast

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Release

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An early version of Good Morning Karachi was presented in 2013 in India at the 15th Mumbai Film Festival,[4] in Sweden at the Goteborg International Film Festival,[5] and in the United States at the 3rd i South Asian Film Festival in San Francisco[6] and the South Asian International Film Festival in New York.[7] On 14 June 2014, the completed film screened at the London Asian Film Festival.[8] Good Morning Karachi had its Karachi premiere on 28 December 2014 where Saba Hameed, Savera Nadeem, Amina Sheikh and Yasir Aqil along with other showbiz stars attended the premiere.[9][10][11] The film was released in cinemas across Pakistan by A-Plus Films on 1 January 2015.[12][13] Good Morning Karachi was released on video in the North America and most European territories on 12 January 2015.[14][15]

Critical reception

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Jennie Kermode of Eye for Film gave Good Morning Karachi 3 1/2 of 5 stars, saying "the story benefits from a fairly nuanced script, with even the traditionalist fiance allowed to be sympathetic on occasion."[16] Dr. Joy Browne gave the film the same rating on her weekly radio show.[17]

The Daily Times wrote, "The film looks at the culture of violence in Pakistan and how youth are most affected by this environment. It shows how new industries, such as media and fashion, have democratised spaces in urban Pakistan. It has provided new opportunities for young people and given hope to the next generation. This can pave the way for a new, modern and tolerant society. Young women like Rafina are the embodiment of this hope for the future."[18]

Hale Syed of DAWN.com rated the film 3 out of 5 and wrote "The Cinderella story is not new, but has had more distinctive retellings. More fleshed out characters and better pacing could have kept the movie from feeling predictable and obvious."[19]

Shafiq ul Hasan of The Express Tribune rated the film 2.5/5 and wrote "Good Morning Karachi, for Pakistani cinema, is amongst the few unconventional, path-breaking movies. The reason is very simple; Good Morning Karachi is a female-oriented film with a female protagonist. Unfortunately, except for this bit, there is little else that is extraordinary about this film."[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Good Morning Karachi At Boxoffice". BoxOffice Asia. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b Mahmood, Rafay (24 February 2011). "Sabiha's cinderella". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Good Morning Karachi: Depicting a young and vibrant Pakistan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Good Morning Karachi: Depicting a young and vibrant Pakistan - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Good Morning Karachi team goes to Sweden - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  6. ^ "Upcoming Events | Good Morning Karachi | 3rd i". www.thirdi.org. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  7. ^ "South Asian International Film Festival Review: Good Morning Karachi (2011)". Next Projection. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Pakistani films screened at London Asian Film Festival". DAWN.com. Mahjabeen Mankani. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Good Morning "Karachi" premiere". AAJ News. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  10. ^ "'Good Morning Karachi' premieres in Karachi". Daily Times (Pakistan). Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  11. ^ "'Good Morning Karachi' makes glitzy premiere". HiP. Irfan Haq. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  12. ^ "Amna Ilyas to say 'Good Morning Karachi' today". ARY News. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  13. ^ "Good Morning Karachi slated to do well over New Year". DAWN.com. Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  14. ^ "Good Morning Karachi on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  15. ^ "Watch Good Morning Karachi () online - Amazon Video". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  16. ^ "Good Morning Karachi (2013) Movie Review from Eye for Film". www.eyeforfilm.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  17. ^ "Good Morning Karachi - The Dr. Joy Browne Show". The Dr. Joy Browne Show. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  18. ^ "'Good Morning Karachi' is uplifting and inspirationa". Daily Times. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  19. ^ "'Good Morning Karachi': Uplifting but lacks punch". DAWN.com. Hala Syed. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  20. ^ "Why Good Morning Karachi fails to rise and shine". The Express Tribune. Shafiq ul Hasan. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
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