Exploring Pakistani nationalist cinema and its socio- psychological impacts on young adults

Abstract

This exploratory study unfolds problems of national cinema and its Socio- Psychological impacts on youth through nationally contextualized post 2000 Pakistani selected Urdu films such as Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol (2011), Jilani’s Chambaili (2013), Khuda Kay Liye (2007), and Bilal Lashari’s Waar (2013). The study locates all these films in their broader frame of socio-psychological dynamics to grapple with the production of gender relations along with articulation of national identity. Furthermore, the study vigorously tends to disclose consumption effects and influences of identity, entertainment, socialization, surveillance and cinematic techniques observed in the films by Pakistani youth in fulfilling their gratification desires sutured with nationalism. This study uses quantitative research methods by applying Cross-sectional survey research approach. The convenient sampling was used to a sample size of 371 among the population of capital city of Islamabad. The major findings resulted that Pakistani youth broadly identify and gratify themselves with national identity–information provided in the films. Furthermore, the cinematic techniques used in the films for production of socialization, the youth gratified them to some extent. The study recommends that the government should recognize cultural industry as national industry and provide finances for national cultural productions, including the initiation of the subject of cinema studies l for greater national interest.