Deeda-e-Beena
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The extremely well choreographed show is over and the performer is returning in the comfort of her dressing room in the air, with satisfaction writ all over. Indeed it was a command performance amply facilitated by the traditional Pakistani fervour and hospitality.
Hillary is a talent of all seasons and all occasions. Her just concluded act in Pakistan was a side of her rarely seen. She has carved her place in the performance domain leaving Sarah Palin far behind. Her eyes are clearly on a much cherished ball, unlike the Alaskan Hockey Mom who has succumbed to making hay and lots of money while the sun continues to shine.
The performances on the side of Pakistani groups and audiences must be equally recognised and credited. The head to head encounters with TV Anchors and Talk Show Hosts and another one with the all female TV Anchors; the open forum with youthful students of Government College University Lahore; the one-on-one TV interviews all showed a class act unexpected and unknown of Pakistani civil society. In all these groups’ relatively younger persons and in particular the younger women were shining and that is a tremendous signal of hope for the future.
The fact that Hillary’s handlers focussed on these groups also shows the perceptions the Americans have about Pakistani civil society. Absent were the talking heads of the print media who have squirreled their way into the high-tech electronic media of modern times but lack the ability to think on their feet and speak convincingly and coherently in real-time live telecasts. It also confirmed in stark reality, the disconnect Pakistan’s establishment shows towards these groups – the youth; the women and the new breed of media names and faces.
While at times Hillary was caught fleet-footed in her response, her counterparts also often showed a degree of timidity, particularly when she offered empty goal posts where the follow-up questions went a begging. One such opportunity was when she pronounced that the aid to Egypt and Israel approved by the US Congress had similar requirements; she should have been challenged if the kind of language of KLB existed in the legislation for aid to these countries as well. Another occasion when she rhetorically stated that Pakistan can always refuse this aid, she should have been reminded that “true friendships†avoid such entreaties.
She walked into lion’s dens and hornet’s nests single handedly and unsupported by aides or embassy experts and faced everything head-on. She went to the business world tycoons, the lawyers, the saints and sages, the opposition politicians and ceremonial government occasions undeterred and apparently unprotected and, defended her American positions as one would expect of her. There she also spoke with alacrity and coherence on issues intrinsic to Pakistan that none of the political leadership or intellectuals dare touch upon in such manner and given the short time at her disposal.
The Secretary of State was bright-eyed and bubbling upon landing in Islamabad. At the end of three days of Blitz her face and demeanour betrayed tiredness. But there was also present therein the unmistakable hallow of a catharsis – a Mona-Lisa like smile of satisfaction.
It was also clear from her pronouncements as she went along her journey that she was changing her understanding and perceptions of Pakistan and the dynamism of its people. That’s where rest the core and mutual benefits of her visit.
Kicks fromflicks; Mother’s Day DVD If your mother’s already worn out the DVD of Mamma Mia that you bought her for Christmas, treat her to some more movies to watch while she is putting her feet up on Mother’s Day.(Features)
Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England) March 8, 2009 Byline: By Alison Jones 1 Torvill and Dean The Best of Live – Universal It is 25 years since they scored sixes across the board at the 1984 Winter Olympics. Now they are teaching celebrities how to do it in Dancing in Ice. Relive the glory years of Bolero, Mack & Mable and Barnum with this collection of golden moments.
2 Volver Pathe Distribution BAFTA winner Penelope Cruz is on top form in this quirky comedy drama about two sisters who suspect they are being visited by the ghost of their dead mother, but all is now what it seems.
A moving ensemble piece about the lengths women will go to to protect their children. see here movies to watch
3 Then She Found Me High Fliers Helen Hunt, the sparky waitress who won Jack Nicholson’s curmudgeon in As Good As It Gets, shows off her directing chops in this story of a teacher who suffers the mother of all midlife crisis when her husband leaves her, her biogical alarm clock starts ringing and the woman who gave her up for adoption wants a second chance.
Colin Firth co-stars.
4 The Queen Miramax See why Helen Mirren swept the awards boards with this uncanny portrayal of Her Majesty as she faces a crisis following the death of her former daughter-in-law, when the Palace is overwhelmed by the wave of public grief.
Michael Sheen plays Tony Blair who has to convince her to acknowledge the People’s Princess.
5 Pride and Prejudice Focus/Universal The BBC series launched a thousand fantasies of a wet-shirted Mr D’Arcy, but this pairing of Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley simmers with tightly controlled passion.
Spiritedly modern it is a grittier interpretation than the television drama but stunning to look at as director Joe Wright captures the windswept grandeur of the Peak District.
6 The Devil Wears Prada 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Meryl Streep is the secret ingredient that sets this otherwise frothy fashion drama apart. She gives a nuanced performance as the glacial editor whose impossible demands push her feisty new assistant (Anne Hathaway) over the edge.
Emily Blunt is an acerbic delight as Anne’s despairing colleague while stylist Patricia Field works her usual magic in wardrobe. site movies to watch
7 The Wedding Date Universal Pictures London has seldom looked more lovely than in this reverse Pretty Woman. Debra Messing plays an insecure American who hires handsome escort Dermot Mulroney to pretend to be her boyfriend for a wedding back in Blighty in order to impress an ex. Sarah Parish, Jack Davenport and Peter Egan give the best of British support.
8 Down With Love/One Fine Day 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment A multi pack double whammy of Rene Zellweger and Ewan MacGregor reviving the kind of comedy that made stars of Doris Day and Rock Hudson, and George Clooney having his suave taken down a peg or two as a disorganised dad tag teaming baby-sitting duties with Michelle Pfeiffer’s supermom. Resistance to their charms is futile.
9 Screen Legends – Starring Cary Grant UCA A series of DVDs that packages together a choice selection of the work of stars like Anthony Hopkins and Peter Sellers.
This covers some of the best of the former Archie Leach’s work from the early screwball comedies of Bringing Up Baby and The Awful Truth to the May/December romance of Father Goose.
Waitress 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment A beguiling comedy about an expert pie maker (Keri Russell) in an unhappy marriage who finds herself pregnant. When she falls for the married doctor who is treating her, her culinary creativity goes into overdrive. It’ll make you laugh, cry and want to eat pie.
For a gift that lasts all year how about the gift of a DVD rental.
With MercuryCashback.com you can delight your mum with her favourite movies and earn up to pounds 7.50 cashback from Lovefilm.
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Where you see hope in the spirited questions of the students, we in the West despair at their hostility.
Pakistan never let’s a good deed from a friend go unpunished. The US has pitched in more in aid and arms into Pakistan than any other nation. Yet, the hostility of Pakistanis has gotten worse not better.
China makes token gestures and sells (not donates) arms and is considered an ‘all weather’ friend.
Should we the invest conclude from this that the way ahead to speak loudly, invest almost nothing and make sure we sell not give away weapons to Pakistan?