State of Play***1/2

*ing Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn and Jeff Daniels
Directed by Kevin MacDonald
Tagline: Find The Truth

A charismatic Congressman, a seasoned, sexy investigative reporter, a beautiful young journalist in professional dilemma, three brutal murders and PointCorp – a private military defense company under investigation. Under the layers, a marriage on the rocks, friendships tinged with skepticism, hurt, personal vendetta, distrust and betrayal. That in a nutshell defines the film that is State of Play.

Adapted from the critically-acclaimed British series of the same name, the film leaves no lose ends and continues to mystify in an intriguing manner.

On the surface, State of Play trails three murders, each connected to a clue. And as the clues unfold, it becomes clear that these are not just homicides. It is a cover-up of the nasty kind and it’s about billions of dollars and men powerful enough to take any route to hide their secrets. The game of power, politics and greed come out of the shadows as the film unravels.

Russell Crowe is Cal McAffrey, a seasoned journalist for Washington Globe. He is driven with a knack for discovering the ‘real’ truth. Sharp yet emotional, he is battling ethical boundaries and personal relationships. His story is one that impacts the ‘very’ system that defines private security, defense and its often murky relations with the Department of Defense in the US government. The spill over of these private-personal relations extends to foreign fronts and goes underneath the damage of the cost of real wars and the lucrative business side of it.

Cal McAffrey understands the stakes and his human conflict is brilliant to watch. As a reporter uncovering the truth and the personal battle and betrayal is pure fantastic. It’s a performance that is understated and haunted.

His counterpart (on the professional front) is Della Frye (Rachel McAdams) who represents the generation where news published on the Internet is followed by millions. Cal and Della have a thorny relationship and its growth is gradual and is amongst the saner, softer tones in this hard and thrilling drama.

Rachel McAdams delivers with style and conveys the right emotions. To hold your own against Helen Mirren and Russell Crowe is no easy feat.

Ben Affleck plays Congressman Stephen Collins, who heads the investigation on PointCorp. He is unflinching when it comes to opening the secrets and the lies of the business of defence. But Congressman comes with his own notions of morals. And his hidden and sharply displayed duality is as conflicted, confusing and betraying as the man himself. Ben pulls the role off with grace – but the real star of this film is Russell Crowe.

Congressman Stephen is married to Anne Collins (Robin Wright Penn), a beautiful woman dealing with her popular husband’s infidelity and with lost love. Even in a small role, Robin brings the heartache out with turmoil and convincing loss. She is excellent.

Meanwhile there is Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirrren), the editor who runs the ship. She tag teams between Cal McAffrey and Della Frye. She is straightforward, loyal and adds the humour to the film without cracking inane jokes.

There are gray shades to every character and as far as suspense-quotient goes, this film keeps changing pace and throws you off course with its sheer unpredictability. The dirty deals amongst corporations, the willingness to jeopardize personal safety in the world of journalism and deadlines are just some of the facets to this diverse film. The subjects range from political fallout and corruption to the world of journalism, personal effects and the endgame that remains unclear. It is a reflection on a system that is palpable in the world today.

Make no mistake. State of Play works not just because of its heavyweight star cast and its tight writing but also because of the man behind the project.

Its director Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland) extracts some crackling performances. The film provides no answers. But it provokes.

Can journalists investigate without informing the cops? Can friendship and professionalism stand tall without losing ground? Kevin keeps the undertones throughout and it is this collective effort that makes State of Play a delightful watch.

Films on political corruption and greed, corporate espionage and emotional betrayals have been around for years. But in a Hollywood where Transformers 2, Super Bad and Twilight rule the global box office, State of Play is a refreshing change. It is challenging, gripping and thought-provoking.

– Maheen Sabeeh

*YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME

The ballad of Ali Noor and Ali Hamza

In an exclusive conversation with Instep Today, Noori take us insidethe songs they belted out at Coke Studio that have changed Noori’s perception to fans, critics and the industry at large…

Maheen Sabeeh
Karachi

“More than being a musical performance,

‘Aik Alif’ was an internal/spiritual journey for the musicians involved.” – Ali Noor

“Saeen was quite particular about this track. It wasn’t like we had decided over a few phone calls that Noori and Zahoor would be doing a fusion track together. Ali Hamza had to go and meet Saeen at his house, record his tunes and ponder over them for a few days, then go back again and discuss not just the musical side of it, but the philosophical aspect of it as well.

It was clear why Saeen was being particular. For Saeen music is a medium through which he can spread ‘the message’. And that’s where Noori and Saeen found common ground.

On hearing Saeen sing ‘Aik Alif’ (Zahoor calls it ‘Buss kareen o yaar’), it was clear to us that this is the song we wanted to do. It is a very spontaneous performance for all the musicians involved.

Both Rohail and Hamza (who was mainly handling the song from the Noori side) were aware of this and they consciously chose not to rehearse this song to maintain the purity of the basic elements of musicianship. In Ali Hamza’s words, “we could either rehearse this once or twice and perform it, or we needed to work on this for a good year. The approach towards ‘Aik Alif’ had to be very different from the way we approached the rest of our songs.”

‘Aik Alif’, more than being a musical performance, was an internal/spiritual journey for the musicians involved. And we think it was the same for the listeners as well. The response we have received from all over the world verifies that. The way people have talked about being touched from within and being taken into another realm altogether has made the journey worth it.

Doing this piece has opened up a whole new world for us. For the first time we actually got to experience how our internal processes work to create all that. That’s the power of our indigenous, folk music. And we intend and hope to delve into this realm more often, and definitely, very soon again, with Zahoor.

“‘Kedaar’ is a song that contains all the different elements which define Noori. It applies very well to the current situation in Pakistan.” – Ali Noor

“Apart from other requirements, Coke Studio needed Noori to perform a patriotic/message-oriented song. Usually artists make one or two such songs, but in our case, almost every single one of our songs has a patriotic/message-oriented theme!

So then it was about choosing the best patriotic song we have. For us, that boiled down to a choice between ‘Dil Ki Qasam’ and ‘Jana Tha Humne’. These are the two songs we have performed over and over for 7 years. We have redone and revamped them at least 10 times. We really didn’t want to revisit them because we were looking at Coke Studio as a new beginning for Noori.

‘Kedaar’ was the next song we had in the pipeline of releases. It contains all the different elements which define Noori. Lyrically, the song is the next step in Noori’s evolution. It applies very well to the current situation in this country, and more than that, it fits in perfectly with the Coke Studio feel.

The times we are living in really require many of us to get actively involved in bringing about change, and it’s good to see that realization happening. The biggest change we see is that people understand the power of music in influencing mindsets. The musicians are beginning to feel a sense of responsibility which comes with their power to influence.

It was great seeing artists like Atif and Ali Zafar creating brand new patriotic songs, especially for Coke Studio. We wish and hope that this process is only the beginning for a long lasting journey.”

“‘Saari Raat Jaaga’ reflects best Ali Noor’s genius and maturity as a

composer. It is a complete symphony.” – Ali Hamza

“Saari Raat is the first song we started work on for Coke Studio. Ali Noor had been working on this version for a few months. Revamping meant a complete deconstruction of the song and giving it a new face altogether. It took over two months to bring it to a point where we could share it with the Coke Studio team. We knew we were working with the best musicians in town, and that gave us the confidence to really experiment with the piece. And experiment we did! We would be up day and night stretching our minds to come up with the perfect melodic movements, the perfect rhythm structure and so on. We wanted to be true to the art, and we wanted to showcase our best skills as serious musicians.

When we sent the song to Rohail and the musicians to rehearse, we got texts from everyone within 20 minutes. They were all awe struck and super excited! At the same time they were cursing us for making probably the most challenging song they would do. But these guys are the best in town because they have consistently challenged themselves to reach higher and higher levels.”

‘Saari Raat Jaaga’ reflects best Ali Noor’s genius and maturity as a composer. It is a complete symphony.We are extremely proud of this song and strongly believe that it will set a new standard for Pakistani music.

In the words of Ali Noor …”Saari raat Jaga nay finally sub ko ’sari raat jaga’ hi diya!!!”

“The Coke Studio version of ‘Jo Meray’ is the beginning of my journey as a composer/producer. This song will evolve with my own evolution.” – Ali Hamza

The Coke Studio version of ‘Jo Meray’ is a glimpse of how this song was originally made. ‘Glimpse’, because Ali Hamza still feels that he hasn’t been able to communicate the actual feel of the song to musicians. Hats off to Rohail and all the musicians for doing an excellent job on the song, their skills are undeniable. But for Ali Hamza, ‘Jo Meray’ has been a defining song for his own musical career. It contains all the elements that are unique to Ali Hamza as a musician,” says Ali Noor.

“The Coke Studio version of Jo Meray is the beginning of my journey as a composer/producer.

I think the musicians at Coke Studio have done perfect justice to the song, given their own understanding of music, and I am very satisfied with the effort and creativity involved. It’s just that I feel that their is room for much more improvement and effort from my side. I must thank Coke Studio for giving me the opportunity to start my own individual journey, because without this happening, my own process would never have started. I would also like you to know that this song still doesn’t have any proper lyrics. I was not consciously avoiding completing this song by writing proper words to this melody, but now I get this feeling that the lyrics too will be completed with the completion of my own personal journey,” says Ali Hamza.

Harry Potter and the magical tunes of Pakistani pop!

With the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the story of the ‘boy who lived’ is still ongoing amidst global fanfare.
Instep spoofs Harry Potter with the local pop music industry…

By Maheen Sabeeh and Saba Imtiaz

Atif Aslam as Harry Potter

Harry Potter has uncontrollable hair and a lightening shaped scar – and is the ‘Chosen One’ – who will defeat the Dark Lord and restore order to the magical world. Atif Aslam may not have the messy hair and scar, but he’s being widely touted as the ‘Chosen One’. And since Dumbledore – sorry, we mean Rohail Hyatt – has now taken him under his wing, this may be the start of a new magical – sorry again, we mean musical – victory.

Salman Ahmed as Lucious Malfoy

Lucious Malfoy is a loyalist who on the surface – jumps from one bandwagon (Voldemort and the Death Eaters) to another (the side that wants to eradicate the use of Dark Arts) – but harbours a deep passion for all that he believes in.

Salman Ahmed has jumped onto so many bandwagons we’ve lost count: Junoon’s Led Zeppelin-inspired wave, the Sufi years, the political activism which saw him switch from a loyalist of the former President to a pro-democracy one, the Deepak Chopra bandwagon – clearly, he harbours a deep passion for all that he believes in – and also believes in sending numerous press releases about each one of his passions…

Ali Hamza as Ron Weasley

Ron always stays behind the shadow of the iconic Harry Potter, and always harbours a slight resentment for not being recognized for his contribution.

Ali Hamza – also hugely talented – has remained stuck behind the shadow of the iconic Ali Noor. But like Harry and Ron, they both work best when together…

Strings as the Weasley twins

Inseparable, loyal, hilarious and popular, the Weasley twins are reincarnated in the music industry as Strings members Bilal and Faisal. Together they not only get up to all sorts of greatness (Strings’ albums and Fred and George’s Weasleys Wizard Wheezes both bring great happiness to the Muggle and magical worlds) but are also an unstoppable duo.

Dr Akbar Yezdani as Lord Voldermort

Lord Voldermort is the anti-Dumbledore. Brilliant and conflicted, he is the genius who is all wrong. He definitely possesses greatness and his determination to conquer is unflinching and he can be quite the scary dude, which goes well with Dr Akbar Yezdani, who heads Fire Records (the largest record label Pakistan). He is a strong contender, nay, the only contender for the role because, let’s face it, Doc will go for what he wants and he will get it done. His reputation is nothing short of the dark lord even if he isn’t really all that evil! But Atif… we mean Harry will give him a run for his dark arts.

Fuzon as Harry Potter’s family, the Dursleys

Harry Potter has a strange relationship with the Dursleys, who are incredibly paranoid of wizards and magic and look at everything with suspicion. The trio – Vernon, Petunia and Dudley – have kind hearts but domineering genes, and that just reminds one of the band Fuzon…also, a trio with kind hearts and inbuilt paranoia…

Nazia Hassan as Lily Potter

With a generous, courageous heart, Lily Potter protects a young Harry from the dark lord, even at the price of her own life. She symbolizes the strength that defines the (late) Nazia Hassan and the mark she left on the world, with her voice, charm, struggle, hope and her spirit.

Haniya Aslam as Hermione Granger

Hermione is intelligent, sharp and knows her magic. She is the one who gets Harry and Ron out of trouble through her magical knowledge and spells at times when they can’t get it right. And if anyone can be Hermione, it is Haniya. She can strum the guitar, she knows her music and she is confident just like Hermione. Plus, they both personify strong will.

Zebunissa Bangash as Luna Lovegood

Luna isn’t about rules or facts. It’s her soul that attracts us and the fact that she is in her own head makes her more adorable. Luna’s strength comes into play time and again and she shows the will to take on the Dark Lord with Dumbledore’s Army despite defeating surroundings.

Zebunissa Bangash mirrors the same innocence and soul.

Rohail Hyatt as Albus Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore casts a fatherly figure over the magical world, with his long beard, magical knowledge and an office filled with hidden memories, contraptions, books and a phoenix. In his younger days, Dumbledore came close to dabbling with the Dark Arts, willing to use his power to achieve all his wishes, but transfigures into one of the most renowned magicians to have ever lived.

Rohail Hyatt casts a fatherly figure over the music industry, with his long beard, musical knowledge and a studio that boasts a tremendous collection of music, memories of the most iconic pop band Pakistan has ever seen, and a number of guitars. In his younger days, Rohail got caught in the entrapments of bubble gum pop music, but has transfigured to using his magic to bring out the best in people, especially with Coke Studio.

Umber Hyatt as Professor McGonagall

McGonagall doesn’t approve of incompetence. She is the strict deputy headmistress and her range for compassion and sheer determination is firm. She remains in the shadows and shows loyalty, talent, and is rarely emotional.

Umber Hyatt, the co-producer of Coke Studio and McGonagall definitely share similarities.

Hadiqa Kiani as the Veela, Fleur Delacour

Veelas are described as “young, beautiful human women, and their appearance and especially their dance are magically seductive to almost all males.” Hasn’t Hadiqa Kiani been casting the same sort of effect on Pakistani men for over two decades now…with the aid of her ‘dupatta malmal ka’? This magical effect continues to persist…

Ali Zafar as Cedric Diggory

Cedric has the looks, the charm and the playfulness that can be attractive, inviting and sometimes flirtatious. Outside the exterior, Cedric carries the weight to fight the boy who is already an icon and his explosive vigour till the end stays in our memory. He is a champion who finds a way back despite being torn amidst fragile egos, staggering expectations and conflicting circumstances.

Much like pop star Ali Zafar who flirted his way with Huqa Pani years ago and has now made us stand up and take notice of his skill, heart and turmoil as Coke Studio struck like lightning. Ali’s dance with pop has delighted us. His ongoing display of pure heart at Coke Studio with the breezy ‘Yaar Dhadee’ and the heartbreaking ‘Dastaan-e-Ishq’ are two examples of his talent. Ali and Cedric have more in common if one looks closely enough.

Ali Azmat as Firenze

Firenze is a centaur who becomes a teacher, ignoring taboos of even centaurs. He fights the fight and retreats from worldly rules, norms and affairs but commands attention at his return and rightly so. He can be attacking and he can be kind. Firenze is one facade of Ali Azmat, the first rock icon Pakistan produced and whose fiery career, with all its ups and downs, keeps
us glued…. decades later.

Gumby as Remus Lupin

Lupin is one of the original mischief makers at Hogwarts, great with magic and an even better friend. Gumby has the same mad vibe, is hugely talented and remains friends with everyone in the music industry. Thankfully, unlike Lupin, Gumby is not a werewolf. Not that we know of, anyway…

Faisal Rafi as Sirius Black

Sirius is abrasive at times, he can be angry yet he carries a soft heart. He can slip through the cracks, sometimes unnoticed but his own charming and fighting rebel brings him out.
Faisal Rafi fits well with some of Sirius Black’s attributes (and looks eerily similar.)

Xulfi as Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy is an opportunist. On the surface, he is arrogant and manipulative. But he has his demons and he is compassionate, still. It is an ingenious reflection of Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan aka Xulfi. His credits include EP – they broke up but the band is coming back without Xulfi – and Call, in which he co-sings with Junaid Khan and is the lead guitarist. Now on the comeback with a new record, Dhoom, like Draco, Xufi lives and learns.

Khalid Khan as Neville Longbottom

Neville is the adorable underdog. The spotlight evades him but his resilience makes him an inspiring force to reckon with. He can be overshadowed but he shows incredible strength in the face of fire.

The quiet bass player Khalid Khan of Aaroh, whose musicianship often goes unnoticed outside music circles and Neville Longbottom are often on a parallel level.

Ali Noor as Percy Weasley

Percy is the do-gooder older brother who always wants to remain in the limelight and ‘adores’ just about everyone, betrays his family for a job and admonishes his brothers. Ali Noor is the older brother of the Noori duo and while they both have impressive credentials, Noor would do well to – as the Weasley twins would say – lighten up a bit.

Dino as Dobby

The ultimate sacrificial lamb: Dobby follows Harry around with a strange obsession and believes very strongly in his own ‘talents’ as a house-elf turned magician’s knight in shining armour. Dino also believes very strongly in his own talent and despite being lambasted by critics, continues to make music…and even has a magical song: ‘Pari’.

Omran Shafique as Professor Filius Flitwick

Professor Filius Flitwick is the adorable and laid back teacher of charms at Hogwarts. He knows the neatest of tricks, he is playful and when it comes to making a move, he is very much a supporter of Dumbledore. If that isn’t Omran Shafique – the uber cool guitar man of Mauj, who is?

Mekaal Hasan as Severus Snape

Snape may have been hated by many, but at the end it turns out he really was one of the good guys all along, working behind the scenes to destroy evil and let good prevail. Sadly enough he never gets enough credit. Mekaal Hasan who has remained behind the scenes of some of the best albums and artistes produced in Pakistan, barely ever gets any of the credit he so deserves…