Cinema

PakistaniArt is dedicated to cinematic culture in Pakistan. We publish retrospectives, essays on film history, and coverage of the international festivals where Pakistani cinema is quietly and confidently making its presence felt.

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The 2026 amFAR Gala at Cannes delivered a chaotic, star-studded night of performances, bold fashion moments, and Riviera afterparty energy.

Cannes 2026 Got Wild at the amFAR Gala and Nobody Held Back

The 2026 amFAR Gala at Cannes delivered a chaotic, star-studded night of performances, bold fashion moments, and Riviera afterparty energy.

Elia RazaMAY 19, 2026
Anya Taylor-Joy stunned attendees at the Los Angeles premiere of Last Night in Soho on October 25, 2021, hosted by Focus Features at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Anya Taylor-Joy Joins 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' as New Elf Character Seren

The actress brings the franchise's latest original character to life, joining a star-studded Middle-earth return set to hit theaters on December 17, 2027

Zoya Mahroosh ZulfiqarJUN 15, 2026

Latest in Cinema

FilmSEP 14, 2026

New 'Clayface' Poster Captures Split Identity Horror

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
A striking movie poster for a film titled "Clayface" featuring a dramatic composition dominated by a large, close-up face split down the center. On the left side, a realistic human eye and smooth skin are visible, while the right side morphs into a swirling, textured, blood-red clay-like substance that forms a massive, gaping frame around the rest of the image. The title "CLAYFACE" is printed in a bold, stylized, red serif font in the center of the stark white background, accompanied by the tagline "LOOK FEAR IN THE FACE" above it and the "DC STUDIOS" logo. Below the title, the text reads "ONLY IN THEATERS" and "OCTOBER 23". At the bottom of the white space, a small, lone figure wearing a red hooded jacket and sunglasses stands amidst a jagged, miniature red cityscape formed by the swirling clay texture.
CinemaSEP 13, 2026

Mahershala Ali Moves On From Marvel's 'Blade'

Zarvan Zeshan
A dramatic concept poster for Marvel Studios featuring actor Mahershala Ali as Blade. He is positioned in the center, facing forward while wearing his signature dark sunglasses and a black tactical turtleneck. The background is a deep, textured red, overlaid with a large, white Marvel Studios logo. The right side of his face and body dynamically dissolves into a trail of fiery embers, black ash, and motion blur, conveying a sense of supernatural energy or disintegration. An actor portraying the Marvel character Blade with a stylized, fiery disintegration effect.
CelebritiesSEP 13, 2026

Jennifer Lawrence Jokes She Trails Emma Stone by One Oscar

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
An eye-level indoor full shot features actresses Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence standing next to each other at the NYC premiere after-party for the movie Mother!. On the left, a smiling Emma Stone sports platinum blonde locks and wears a Valentino ensemble featuring a tiny black bandeau with a high-necked, sheer long-sleeved shirt over a floor-length black skirt. Her face is turned slightly towards the right as she stands near Jennifer Lawrence. On the right, Jennifer Lawrence is smiling while posing with one hand on her hip. She wears a sparkly, sleeveless, form-fitting gold and metallic-striped Ralph & Russo dress with high slits and fringe detailing at the hem. Her blonde hair is styled in a loose updo. In the background on the far right, another woman carrying a large reddish-brown leather tote bag stands near a table with white candles. The setting appears to be a dimly lit venue with wood paneling visible on the left wall.
CinemaSEP 12, 2026

Bruce Wayne's Corvette Spotted on 'The Batman Part II' Set

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
A vintage black 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe with custom UK registration plates is cordoned off by red barriers during the outdoor street filming of The Batman Part II. Bruce Wayne’s classic civilian ride is back on the streets for director Matt Reeves' upcoming DC sequel. Newly leaked images from the London production set of The Batman Part II reveal a flawless, gloss-black 1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray Split-Window Coupe parked behind red security barricades. This distinct vintage vehicle, sporting the Gotham registration plate XMC 867A, serves as the personal transportation of Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne. It mirrors the exact classic model he drove in the 2022 film during the city hall funeral sequence, emphasizing the character's preference for grounded, unbadged, "old money" muscle rather than ostentatious modern supercars.
CinemaSEP 12, 2026

Hunger Games Prequel Banner Hangs Over New York Stock Exchange

Zarvan Zeshan
A massive, retro-style propaganda banner hangs across the classical columned facade of the New York Stock Exchange. The banner features a central soldier in white futuristic armor holding a rifle, set against a stylized landscape with a volcano, birds, clouds, and large sun rays radiating from behind him. Bright orange, pink, and yellow hues dominate the graphic, which is framed by red borders featuring circular logos. The bold text across the banner reads, "PEACE IS PRESERVED" at the top and "NOT PROMISED" across the bottom, with a smaller line below stating "VERIFIED BY THE CAPITOL." Three American flags are mounted on the building's balcony directly beneath the banner.
FilmSEP 10, 2026

New 'Matchbox' Posters Spark Buzz for October Apple TV Debut

Zarvan Zeshan
An official movie poster for the upcoming Apple Original Film, Matchbox, featuring a dramatic montage of the main cast set against a dusty, sun-drenched desert background. Dominating the upper center is a large portrait of John Cena looking resolute, flanked by Jessica Biel on the left and Sam Richardson on the right. Below them, smaller figures of Arturo Castro and Teyonah Parris are shown looking toward the horizon. The lower half of the poster is filled with high-octane action, showcasing a classic green muscle car racing forward, a rugged jeep navigating rough terrain, a motorcycle speeding away, and helicopters flying amidst explosive bursts. The prominent "Apple TV" logo sits just above the stylized, metallic title text "MATCHBOX THE MOVIE." The bottom text reveals it is an Apple Original Film by Skydance, rated PG-13, and announces "NEW MOVIE OCT 9."
CinemaSEP 8, 2026

Billie Eilish Wraps 'The Bell Jar' Under Sarah Polley

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
An image pairing a close-up portrait of American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish on the left with the book cover of Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar on the right. Eilish is depicted from the chest up, sporting dark brown hair parted down the middle, light blue eyes, and subtle makeup, dressed in a formal white collared shirt, black tie, and a black jacket. To her right, the teal-toned book cover displays the author's name, "SYLVIA PLATH," in pink capital letters at the top, while the title, "THE BELL JAR," is written in an stylized, white serif font in the lower right corner, set against a dark silhouette of a person standing.
CinemaSEP 8, 2026

Tom Cruise Shares Bold New 'Digger' Poster

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
A retro-styled movie poster titled "DIGGER" features a large central illustration of an older man with gray hair, wide-eyed expression, and a red suit, standing wide-legged while holding a shovel. The background consists of vertical blocks of blue, green, and an orange semi-circle at the bottom. Text at the top reads "DIGG. OR DIE." Above the title, it says "TOM CRUISE is DIGGER." Five smaller headshots of actors Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons are arranged in a row below the illustration, with "Directed By ALEJANDRO G. IÑÁRRITU" printed beneath them. The bottom text indicates it was "SHOT ON VISTAVISION" and is coming "ONLY IN THEATERS OCTOBER 2," accompanied by extensive screenplay and story credits.
CinemaSEP 7, 2026

Glenn Close Channels Cruella Menace in Fresh 'Hunger Games' Propaganda Spots

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
Glenn Close commands the frame with a wicked, theatrical intensity as Drusilla Sickle, showcasing a striking villainous look complete with an elaborate platinum blonde wig styled in structured vintage waves, dramatic arched eyebrows accented by a gold micro-stud, and a sharp, glossy red lip featuring a defined dark outline. Her piercing gaze is directed sharply to the side while wearing an oversized, structural red textured collar that frames her face, paired with a matching gold fern-like statement earring that perfectly complements her sinister, aristocratic aesthetic. Glenn Close transformed as the character Drusilla Sickle in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
AnimationSEP 6, 2026

'One Piece Film God Valley' Set for Summer 2027

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
The promotional image features a textured, monochromatic title card for One Piece Film: God Valley. The title "GOD VALLEY" is presented in a large, distressed white typeface that mimics weathered stenciling or cracked concrete, set against a dark, gritty charcoal background. A stylized glass fracture effect runs through the letter "D," adding a dynamic sense of impact or conflict. Underneath the primary English title, the text is translated into sleek Japanese katakana scripts, which sit directly above the official "ONE PIECE FILM" branding, complete with the iconic Straw Hat Pirates' skull-and-crossbones emblem integrated into the letter "O."
CinemaSEP 6, 2026

Kane Parsons Reportedly Signs On to Direct 'Backrooms 2' Next

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
Renate Reinsve stars as Dr. Mary Kline in a suspenseful, dimly lit sequence from A24's psychological sci-fi horror feature Backrooms, looking back over her shoulder with an expression of intense vulnerability and fear. Clad in a patterned, short-sleeved short button-up shirt and high-waisted brown trousers, she stands frozen against a warm, yellow-toned wall bisected by a crude doorway outlined in bold blue tape. Looming aggressively over the right side of the frame is a stark, distorted human shadow cast onto the wall surface, its hand raised in a tense or demanding gesture. The sharp cinematic lighting emphasizes the depth of the shadow and highlights the actress's panicked profile, capturing the exact moment the film's domestic reality fractures into a surreal, multi-dimensional nightmare.
CinemaSEP 4, 2026

Jeff Sneider Threatens Inde Navarrette With Non-Stop Rumors

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
An elegant medium shot captures Inde Navarrette smiling warmly while looking directly forward against a softly blurred indoor backdrop. She has long, dark brown hair parted down the middle that drapes gracefully over her shoulders, framing her smooth complexion, defined cheekbones, and bright smile that reveals white teeth. Her ears are adorned with small gold hoop earrings, and she wears a collared black leather jacket over a matching top, styled with a simple dark cord necklace. The ambient lighting filters in from the side, illuminating her features and casting a gentle glow on the green leaves of a houseplant visible in the out-of-focus background.
CelebritiesSEP 3, 2026

Jennifer Lawrence Captures Venice Magic for Vogue

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
A stylish woman with long, sandy-blonde hair styled in loose, textured waves and a soft fringe stands gracefully in a brightly lit, elegant interior hallway. She is wearing a sophisticated cream-colored monochrome ensemble that projects a contemporary, high-fashion aesthetic. The outfit consists of a tailored, structural blazer with prominent, padded shoulders and a sharp, clean collarless neckline, layered seamlessly over a matching button-down blouse buttoned completely to the throat. Her skirt features an asymmetrical wrap design that drapes elegantly across her figure, creating soft folds that contrast with the sharp tailoring of the jacket. Peeking from behind her hand is a striking contrast element composed of dense, plush black and white feathers that trail down the side of her skirt, adding a dramatic, tactile texture to the minimalist outfit. She rests her hands gently against the architectural framework of an arched doorway, with warm, golden indoor lighting illuminating her face and the clean lines of her designer garment, while a glimpse of an opulent room with a vanity mirror is subtly visible in the background.
ReviewsAUG 2, 2026

Brand New Day is The Best MCU Spider-Man Movie, But...

Elia Raza
An stylized, graphic comic book illustration showcases Spider-Man mid-leap against a vibrant, purple-hued background with a half-tone pattern. In the center, Spider-Man is depicted in a dynamic, crouching aerial pose, cut out with a thick white border that separates his red-and-blue suit from the background. His suit features the classic webbed pattern and prominent white eye lenses. In the lower half of the image, the large, stylized 3D text "SPIDER-MAN" is rendered in a metallic blue, with the subtitle "BRAND NEW DAY" printed below it in a clean, white, sans-serif font. The background contains faint, layered imagery of cityscapes and a masked figure, all rendered in monochromatic shades of purple and blue with a distinct retro comic printing dot texture. Collage illustration by Awais Shaukat for PakistaniArt.
AIJUL 21, 2026

Why 'Ainak Wala Jin' The Movie Is Dividing Pakistani Cinema

Awais Shaukat
The nostalgic 90s classic Ainak Wala Jin has officially crossed into the future with Asia's first AI-generated feature-length movie, releasing nationwide in Pakistani cinemas on July 24, 2026. Produced and directed by Farhan Khan, this groundbreaking 85-minute animated family adventure has been built entirely through advanced artificial intelligence tools to lower production costs while maintaining stunning, fast-paced digital visuals. The hype around this AI transformation initially ignited through a highly popular digital tribute series created by the content platform Reelwind. Reelwind began releasing episodic AI-animated shorts on YouTube and Instagram to honor the classic PTV characters, which generated viral nostalgia and paved the way for this cinematic breakthrough. The full-length theatrical film centers around a young boy navigating a rigid human world of rules until his eccentric, visually impaired neighbor—the gentle genie Nastoor—opens a magical portal into the mythical realm of Koh-e-Qaf. Iconic legacy characters like the hilarious Zakoota Jin, the mischievous Bil Batori, and the wicked sorcerer Hamoon Jadoogar have all been visually reimagined for a new generation through generative AI. Blending childhood nostalgia with next-gen automated animation technology, the film represents a historic, albeit polarizing, shift for Pakistan's digital film industry.
FashionJUL 19, 2026

Christopher Nolan Wears Ajrakh Silk Tie at 'The Odyssey' New York Premiere

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
Matt Damon, director Christopher Nolan, and Anne Hathaway command the red carpet at the star-studded world premiere of The Odyssey on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the AMC Lincoln Square theater in New York City. Standing together from left to right, the powerhouse trio celebrates the release of their highly anticipated epic fantasy blockbuster, marking a major cinematic reunion over a decade after they first collaborated on 2014's Interstellar. Positioned in the center, Nolan guides his leading actors through a wave of flashing cameras and cheering fans, just days ahead of the film's global theatrical rollout. The high-profile event draws massive media attention to Manhattan's Upper West Side, anchoring the promotional tour for a film that has already made headlines as the first feature shot entirely on IMAX 70mm cameras.
OpinionJUN 25, 2026

Pakistan's Showbiz Workers Are Right to Panic Over the Foreign Content Tax Rollback

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
The Pakistani showbiz industry is currently experiencing a dynamic shift, driven by major celebrity updates, massive local television productions, and critical policy debates surrounding foreign content. As a vibrant ecosystem encompassing television dramas, high-fashion modeling, cinema, and digital media, the landscape thrives on active fan engagement and heavy cross-platform digital presence.🎭 Major Celebrity & Wedding NewsHigh-profile celebrity milestones and personal updates heavily dominate current headlines across local media platforms:Mawra Hocane & Ameer Gilani: The popular television duo officially married in a grand wedding ceremony hosted in Lahore, trending heavily across digital platforms.Kubra Khan & Gohar Rasheed: The long-time celebrity peers celebrated their Nikkah ceremony during a religious pilgrimage to Makkah.Nimra Khan: The actress celebrated her birthday by achieving a personal milestone, fulfilling her dream of performing Umrah alongside her husband.Dur-e-Fishan Saleem: The actress captured immense social media attention while celebrating and documenting her brother's recent wedding festivities.🎬 Television Drama & Digital Media TrendsTelevision dramas remain the foundational pillar of Pakistan's entertainment economy, supported by growing digital streaming outlets like tapmad Entertainment and FUCHSIA Magazine:Streaming Era Proliferation: Original digital series like Shamsher (starring Farhan Saeed and Hareem Farooq) are driving viewership straight to localized streaming platforms over traditional television sets.Rising Industry Debates: On-screen content boundaries are drawing active fan scrutiny, such as recent public critique leveled at the romantic on-screen physical proximity of university student characters in ongoing television serials.The Stand-Up Boom: Narrative themes are broadening out, as seen in projects like Green Entertainment's Standup Girl starring Zara Noor Abbas, which explores creative performance arts outside conventional soap-opera tropes.⚖️ Industry Policy & Economic ChallengesBeyond the glamour, the administrative side of Lollywood faces intense friction:Foreign Content Tax Battle: In late June 2026, major local entertainment bodies fiercely opposed a federal proposal to remove the advance tax on imported television serials and international advertisements. Industry leaders warn that rolling back these protective taxes risks mass local crew unemployment and threatens decades of industrial rehabilitation.Infrastructure Deficit: Prominent performers have voiced structural concerns, stating that while Punjab and other regions produce an abundance of creative talent, industry demand remains bottlenecked, treating showbiz like a localized community rather than an open, structured industry.
FilmJUN 15, 2026

Anya Taylor-Joy Joins 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' as New Elf Character Seren

Zoya Mahroosh Zulfiqar
Anya Taylor-Joy stunned attendees at the Los Angeles premiere of Last Night in Soho on October 25, 2021, hosted by Focus Features at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Film & TVMAY 19, 2026

Cannes 2026 Got Wild at the amFAR Gala and Nobody Held Back

Elia Raza
The 2026 amFAR Gala at Cannes delivered a chaotic, star-studded night of performances, bold fashion moments, and Riviera afterparty energy.

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