Doc World

Mohammed "Mo" Ali Naqvi talks about his documentary, THE ACCUSED: DAMNED OR DEVOTED?, as a Pakistani, American, and filmmaker. The award-winning director and producer shares his journalistic perspective on Pakistan's blasphemy laws, the nuances of why they exist and how they're legally and justifiably used against its people, and the difference in media coverage by Western vs. Middle East outlets.

Mashal Khan, a student at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, was accused of blasphemy, and violently beaten and shot to death by a mob of his fellow students and university staff. His murder affected members of his community but most of all, his father. Iqbal Lala Khan believed his son could have been saved and has sought justice for his loss.

Powerful cleric Khadim Rizvi has one mission: to preserve blasphemy laws in Pakistan - they prescribe a death sentence for disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad. He is running for the country's highest office to carry out his goal, silencing anyone who tries to change the law with death. The film follows the rise of Rizvi’s push for power as people who have been accused, are just pawns in his game.

Asia Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman, was accused and charged with blasphemy after an argument with a group of Islamic women. She was sentenced to death and remained on death row for eight years until being acquitted. Asia and her case brought international attention to Pakistan where its blasphemy laws were codified in 1860 under British rule and expanded in the decades to follow.

On October 31, 2018, the religious party Tehreek-E-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) gathered on the streets of Pakistan to protest the acquittal of Asia Bibi; she had been charged with blasphemy and sentenced to death. Cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi and the members of TLP are in support of the country's blasphemy law which prescribes a death sentence for disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad and Islam.

Likened by Buddhists to the Vatican City, Ganden is considered the most influential monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. Monks lived in the monastery for more than 500 years before a brutal invasion drove them to India. GANDEN: A JOYFUL LAND is a look at the lives and remembrances of the remaining generation of monks to have studied at the monastery in Tibet where the Dalai Lama’s lineage began.

Likened by Buddhists to the Vatican City, Ganden is considered the most influential monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. Monks lived in the monastery for more than 500 years before a brutal invasion drove them to India. GANDEN: A JOYFUL LAND is a look at the lives and remembrances of the remaining generation of monks to have studied at the monastery in Tibet where the Dalai Lama’s lineage began.

In 1972, every international sporting event in Ireland was cancelled...except for one. Surf pioneers transcended The Troubles' hostilities to host the '72 Eurosurf Championship. The film recounts the inspiring story of the dawn of Irish surfing, revealing how the sport gave young people hope while forever changing their lives, and how their community would leave a lasting impression upon Ireland.

Meet Ireland's pioneers of surf - from Kevin Cavey and Harry & Vivienne Evans to Davy Govan and the Britton brothers. The Dublin and Belfast crews shared a love of surfing but disagreed when it came to nurturing the sport: the Dubliners wanted to make it mainstream but for the surfers of Belfast, it was a lifestyle counter to Northern Irish society.

In 1972, every international sporting event in Ireland was cancelled...except for one. Surf pioneers transcended The Troubles' hostilities to host the '72 Eurosurf Championship. The film recounts the inspiring story of the dawn of Irish surfing, revealing how the sport gave young people hope while forever changing their lives, and how their community would leave a lasting impression upon Ireland.

Surfing pioneer Kevin Naughton recounts the first time he discovered waves off the coast of Ireland during a family vacation. The Southern California surfer, who has traveled around the world in search of surf, shares his stories of the beginnings for the sport in the country and the people that has made it the best kept secret.

Filmmaker Sean Duggan reveals who and what influenced him to make the documentary, KEEP IT A SECRET. The director, who is of Irish ancestry and a surfer himself, shares his own story and the one of the beginnings of surfing in Ireland and its pioneers during a revolutionary time for the sport and the country.