Islamabad, January 21, 2025: A new short documentary titled ” In Shackles ” is set to premiere at the U niversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, United States on Friday, January 24, at Hamilton Library. The film will also be released globally on YouTube the same day.
Set in Islamabad, Pakistan, In Shackles tells the story of Shamim, a 34-year-old woman grappling with sexual violence and forced marriage—issues that reflect broader societal challenges in Pakistan.
The documentary is the brainchild of journalist and talk show host Haider Rifaat , best known for creating and hosting Pakistan’s first web talk show, The Haider Rifaat Show . Haider not only serves as the producer, director, and narrator of the film but is also a PhD student in political science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa . He is a student affiliate with the East-West Center , a prestigious education and research organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii. The 29-year-old journalist produced the film under his independent production label, Haider Rifaat (HR) Films.
“The title In Shackles is a metaphor that reflects the helplessness of a woman navigating personal and professional struggles that are deeply rooted in complex societal issues in Pakistan,” said Haider Rifaat.
While advocating for women’s rights, the film delves into the sociopolitical and legal barriers that hinder their progress. “The documentary sheds light on historical injustices, such as the plight of female rape victims during Zia ul Haq’s regime, which highlight the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Similarly, current laws on child marriages—setting the legal age of marriage for girls at 16 years—may inadvertently allow families to marry off daughters without their consent, raising serious concerns about forced marriages,” Rifaat explained.
The premiere of In Shackles is being supported by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Asian Studies , Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Center for South Asia Studies, and Initiate Futures, a policy think tank based in Islamabad, Pakistan. The documentary will be available for global audiences on YouTube via Haider Rifaat (HR) Films.
