Faisal A. Qureshi
Faisal A. Qureshi is an award-winning freelance screenwriter, editor, director and lecturer who works in UK and abroad. As a screenwriter he has had his work produced in UK and US and has worked on projects commissioned by DNA Films, Dan Films and various other projects with the BBC.
He has directed several short films including 'Lifters, 'Scribble' and 'The Applicant' which have been screened at many international festivals, and he lectures in editing at Leeds Metropolitan University and is a visiting lecturer at the Escula Internacional Cine y TV in Cuba. His latest credit is as associate producer on the hit British comedy Four Lions.
What’s your connection to the British Council?
I worked on several British Council projects that started with I Belong in Pakistan and then a digital film-making project in Syria. I usually go abroad to work with emerging or established local filmmaking talent.
What’s your current project?
I'm currently developing several projects that are in the writing stage.
What/who originally turned you onto film?
I saw a David Lynch film called Dune. It cut a lot of stuff out from the original book, I then heard there was a longer version of the film and started trying to find it. In the process, I learnt a lot about actual filmmaking.
What has been your career high so far?
Of my own work it was directing Scribble, a short film that still plays in film festivals. Professionally it was working on the British comedy film, Four Lions.
What was your first job in the film industry?
I won a short film competition that resulted in Channel 4 commissioning a short documentary.
If I knew then what I know now…
Don't follow my career path.
What is your favourite British film? Why?
Changes from day to day. The Crying Game and The Third Man are two on that list though.
If you could have directed/been involved with any film ever made, which one would it be? Why?
The Battle of Algiers. One of the finest pieces of political cinema ever made. It clearly shows how one nations freedom fighter can be another nations terrorist.
What’s the first film you remember seeing? What was so memorable about it?
Star Wars. Saw it in a cinema in Multan, Pakistan. I went back to the cinema a few years ago and it now doubles as a stripper joint.
What’s your favourite line or scene from a film? Why?
"You act like you don't give a shit. Well I give a shit and I'm gonna make sure you give a shit too". - Mickey Rourke in Year of the Dragon.
Favourite screen kiss? Why?
Blade Runner when Rutger Hauer kisses Joe Turkell before crushing his skull with his hands. It's the closest a person can get to killing God.
Who’s your favourite screen hero and/or villain? Why?
Indiana Jones. He shoots people who carry knives.
Who would play you in the film about your life? Why?
Who'd watch it!?!
