Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Moin ul Haque, described the friendship between Pakistan and China as “higher than mountains, deeper than the ocean, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel” during a screening of the film “Batie Girl.” The screening was attended by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Heritage and Culture, Syed Jamal Shah, who presented the Pakistan-China Cultural Exchange Envoy award to Xie Peng, the film’s producer.
“Batie Girl” is a significant co-production between Pakistani and Chinese filmmakers, with its title translating to “Dost Larki” in Urdu, signifying “the girl from ironclad brother Pakistan.” The film embodies the essence of the friendship between the Chinese and Pakistani people.
The film’s narrative revolves around the empowering journey of two girls – a Chinese female engineer linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and a teenage Pakistani girl who share a love for soccer. They confront hardships, prejudices, and limitations faced by girls in a remote and conservative Pakistani village. Overcoming these challenges, they discover their inner strength.
The story vividly portrays how sports can lead to personal growth and unity while highlighting women’s rights and the transformative potential of young girls within their community. It also underscores the coexistence of different cultures and their role in fostering happiness and development.
The film, officially released in Pakistan in August, received a warm response and positive feedback, encouraging the creators to continue producing Chinese-Pakistani-themed films. Xie Peng emphasized that the film represents not just international diplomacy but a profound and heartfelt connection between the two nations.
Xie, inspired by Pakistan’s assistance after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China, sees the film as a way to showcase the sincere friendship between the two countries and promote a global community of shared future.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges and building bridges through art and culture as a means of communication. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), launched in 2013, has significantly enhanced people-to-people contact and cultural collaboration between the two nations, strengthening their ties.
