Following the worldwide success of the acclaimed Pakistani-British film, Cake, the UK based production companies behind the film, ZAB Films and Indus Talkies, have entered into a partnership with B4U Motion Pictures to co-produce a slate of films that will target both local and global audiences.
Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, the renowned entrepreneur who helms ZAB Films said, “The overwhelming response to Cake is a testament to the fact that good content always finds its audience. It is our aim to keep raising the bar by giving both Pakistani and international audiences a range of tentpole and content-driven films that are both commercially and critically successful.”
Asim Abbasi, the writer and director for Cake, who also runs Indus Talkies added, “Sayed and I have a unified vision for Pakistani Cinema – positioning our films on the world stage by telling culturally specific stories with a universal resonance, and giving cinemagoers diverse content to choose from. B4U has been a pioneer in bringing Pakistani films to an international audience, making this partnership a natural fit.”
Sunil Shah, Head of Film at B4U Motion Pictures said: “We are always looking to nurture talent and build long-term relationships with producers, and are delighted to be collaborating once again with the creative minds behind Cake with the aim of delivering wholesome entertainment to audiences”.
The new production slate, currently in development, comprises of three feature films across diverse genres including drama, comedy and thriller. The first of these, a coming-of-age story, will be directed by Asim Abbasi and is scheduled to go in pre-production by the year end, to be shot on location in the UK.
In March 2018, Cake became the first ever Pakistani film to have a World Premiere at London’s iconic home for international film premieres, Leicester Square and won Asim Abbasi the best director award at UK Asian Film Festival at the festival’s gala screening, ahead of its general worldwide release. A truly crossover family drama about estranged siblings reuniting in the face of ailing parents, Cake seamlessly combines comedy and pathos and heralds a true coming of age of Pakistani cinema. The film, which opened to unanimously positive reviews, has been praised for its realism, strong ensemble performances and refreshing portrayal of women. Mike McCahill of The Guardian gave the film 4-stars calling it “quietly revolutionary” and Naman Ramachandran of Sight & Sound labelled it a “delectable confection.”
Despite stiff competition from bigger films, Cake has now entered its 8th week at the box office and has grossed approximately $1.4 million globally to date. The film continues to perform well in Pakistan’s urban centres and Dubai, having completed a successful theatrical run in the UK, North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and selected Gulf states; and is expected to open in additional international territories in the coming months.
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