Jujji

Acquired by Buffalo 8, a studio based in Los Angeles for worldwide release and included in Variety, this Pakistani neo-noir crime thriller feature was directed by Habib Shahzad, written by Ahmad Umar and stars Mustafa Rizvi, Anjum Habibi and Muhammad Arslan.

This film was inspired by real events. A serial killer is stalking the streets of Rawalpindi at night, looking for victims. SI Naveed (Rizvi) and Constable Arshad (Habibi) are assigned to track down the killer of a shoeshiner and it soon becomes evident that they are dealing with a serial killer. As the investigation progresses, Naveed will struggle to focus on his duty, while dealing with family issues and come to terms with a terrible event that took place in the past.

A dark story that is told primarily through Naveed's perspective. A relatively short feature with a duration of approximately seventy minutes, it takes the viewer on a journey to the darker side of Rawalpindi, where crime and poverty exist. There isn't much mystery, as the identity of the murderer is revealed from the beginning. Instead, the focus is directed towards Naveed's personal journey as he looks for the perpetrator and fights his demons.

Shahzad utilises some well-executed long takes, which look even better thanks to Furqan Gul's cinematography and the sombre and unsettling music by Alister Alvin and Zahra Paracha adds to the atmosphere.

As Naveed is the main character, he is an interesting one: an ambitious man who wants to move up the ladder in the world of law enforcement. However, his dedication to his profession appears to be isolating him from his wife (Mahnoor Nawab) and daughter (Arfa Nadeem) and on top of this, he is tormented by a devastating event that occurred while he was on duty. Dedicated to his profession, he aims to be a righteous person. Arshad is quite different: he is an easy-going, seasoned member of law enforcement, who (unlike Naveed) often smiles and looks at life more optimistically than his associate. Arslan plays the killer, a creepy yet cautious homeless man with a considerable knowledge regarding the human neck. This character is intriguing and he would had more depth if he was explored more and the same goes for Arshad. Both these characters would probably had benefited from more information about them being brought to light, such as their background.

With a downbeat atmosphere, this feature goes on an exploration involving crime, murder, low life and policing. Additionally, morality, trauma, self-reflection and family values play major parts in this story.

A hunt for a serial killer. With a pace that is somewhat slow, this film offers an experience that looks into some harsh subjects and it deserves recognition.

Jujji is scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime on the 21st of November.