Urwa Zubair, Producer
Interview by Jesy Odio
Photos by Margos Margossian
As a producer, Urwa Zubair is a connector, constantly moving people around and linking ideas together. But to think she might have ended up connecting flights and moving bodies through the atmosphere instead. Urwa almost decided to become a pilot.
Like an airbus captain, Urwa does not show fear. She also doesn’t see anything as a problem, just as another task on her to-do list. I don’t say this lightly, but I would be comfortable with Urwa helming the cockpit anyday, whether she’s flying the friendly skies or making a production soar.
You were born and raised in Pakistan and you come from a former military family. But when did you move to the U.S and how did you decide to make the move?
I was about 11 years old when I first came to the US with my family for two years on a contract with the US Navy. I was 12 when I visited New York and fell in love with the city. I don’t remember saying this, but my parents recall that I told them “When I grow up, I’ll come back and live in this city”. Upon being asked why, my answer was somewhere along the lines of “I like being a girl here”. This realization came at a very young age even though I didn’t fully understand the extent of my desire at that point. It’s backed up with being shamed for not wearing a burqa at the age of eight while visiting my mother’s village and that constant gazing and harassing that is hidden in plain sight. Imagine a world where you don’t feel comfortable enough to walk out in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
And were you always set on cinema?
I went back and forth between film school and air school. My first love was and will always be cinema. I think they both point towards an escape of some sort; a way to defy time zones, explore, create, build and control your own form of reality and the world. I feel like cinema has the ability to bring different parts of the world together, by bringing forth stories and diverse experiences from all over the world. But I still aim to get my flying license soon.
As a fellow immigrant, I’m curious about your first impressions, both positive and negative ones. Do you have a memory of when you first moved here and how your expectations have shifted?
As far as expectations go, I think one dose of reality was realizing that no one else was entitled to my life but me. A lot of Eastern countries are still dealing with cultures where boundaries are masked and elders — may they be your neighbors or relatives — feel they are entitled to make crucial decisions of your life, like education and marriage. I breathe here differently, with much more ease and liberation. I have complete authority in shaping my life however I want it to be.
You’ve financed projects through online campaigns. Online fundraising can be both wonderful and difficult. What are your thoughts on crowdfunding?
I personally find this to be one of the best opportunities possible for an artist. This is much more than just a pitch of your film’s story or an ask for funding. You’re pitching yourself and your set of beliefs that you’re fighting to put out in the world. There must be a reason why you so passionately believe in putting something out in the world. Channel that and you’ll have a community with a similar mission or at least will believe in and support your cause.
You’ve produced projects in both Pakistan and the U.S., how are productions ran differently in each country?
There’s not crafty back in Pakistan! You’re mostly relying on meals. You’re guaranteed to work overtime without any overtime pay and you’ll mostly eat the same meal again the second time. We’re still developing our work ethics and production practices. But there’s no shortage of talent! In fact, there’s massive talent, but we’re quite behind in terms of valuing, compensating or deservingly rewarding the talent.
As someone who has organized many film festivals in the past, what do you think is the future of film festivals post-pandemic?
There’s no escaping the digital take-over, but I prefer the in-person, physical experience of festival events. The authenticity that’s involved in connecting with other artists across the world is invaluable. Your perspective, knowledge and insight broadens massively. How you connect with someone over a screen is very different and often forgettable as compared to being able to stand face-to-face and share your thoughts and experiences. I think a lot of festivals understand this, which is why a big majority did not attempt a digital take this year and simply canceled for the year. My own short, “Silver Cord”, which was set for a festival exhibition this year has been impacted, but personally I’d rather wait for an exhibition that fosters human connection.
What is something you are curious to learn in the near future?
I’m aiming to begin my flight training soon and I’m really excited to experience flying an aircraft firsthand. I guess the things we want to do in our lives hold some form of connection to the purpose of our existence in this great never-ending cosmic universe. I’m curious to further understand who I am, who I want to be, what I can do and how I can use it for a purpose greater than myself.
