Filmbar's screening of Abbas Kiarostami's "Through the Olive Tree" (1994) at the Research and Publication Centre (RPC) on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm

Filmbar's screening of Abbas Kiarostami's "Through the Olive Tree" (1994) at the Research and Publication Centre (RPC) on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm. It is a metafictional film about making a film (And Life Goes On) in an Iranian village devastated by an earthquake, focusing on a real-life love triangle where actor Hossein pursues his co-star Tahereh, who rejects him due to his poverty, blurring lines between the movie's story (a couple marrying post-disaster) and reality, culminating in an ambiguous final scene where her answer remains unheard as he runs into the olive groves.

Address: Research and Publication Centre (RPC), 2nd Floor, 65 Main Boulevard Gulberg, Lahore (next to Standard Chartered Bank, above Indesign showroom). Lift is operational.

The film will be followed by an informal discussion over tea.

Rashed Rahman

Editor, Pakistan Monthly Review (PMR) (link: pakistanmonthlyreview.com)

Director, Research and Publication Centre (RPC) (on Facebook)

Email: rashed.rahman1@gmail.com

Cells: 0302 8482737 & 0333 4216335

Filmbar's screening of Andrei Tarkovsky's "The Sacrifice" (1986) at the Research and Publication Centre (RPC) on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 5:00 pm

Filmbar's screening of Andrei Tarkovsky's "The Sacrifice" (1986) at the Research and Publication Centre (RPC) on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 5:00 pm.

It is Alexander's birthday, and his family have gathered at his remote cottage to celebrate. The celebrations are marred, however, first by conventional family intrigue, then by the terrifying news that the low-flying jet planes signalled the start of a nuclear war between the superpowers. As the family attempts to cope, Alexander is troubled by extraordinary dreams, and then informed by the unfathomable philosopher-postman, Otto, that he has the power to redeem the world, including his dear young son, if only he will visit the solitary Maria, who Otto insists is a witch.

Address: Research and Publication Centre (RPC), 2nd Floor, 65 Main Boulevard Gulberg, Lahore (next to Standard Chartered Bank, above Indesign showroom).

Lift is operational. The film will be followed by an informal discussion over tea.

Rashed Rahman

Editor, Pakistan Monthly Review (PMR) (link: pakistanmonthlyreview.com)

Director, Research and Publication Centre (RPC) (on Facebook)

Email: rashed.rahman1@gmail.com

Cells: 0302 8482737 & 0333 4216335

Filmbar screening of Yorgos Lanthimos' "The Favourite" (2018) at Research and Publication Centre (RPC) on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 5:00 pm

Filmbar screening of Yorgos Lanthimos' "The Favourite" (2018) at the Research and Publication Centre (RPC) on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 5:00 pm.

In the early 18th century, England is at war with France; nevertheless, duck-racing and pineapple-eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time-consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen's companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics, or rabbit stand in her way.

Address: Research and Publication Centre (RPC), 2nd Floor, 65 Main Boulevard Gulberg, Lahore (next to Standard Chartered Bank, above Indesign showroom). Lift is operational.

The screening will be followed by an informal discussion over tea.

Rashed Rahman

Editor, Pakistan Monthly Review (PMR) (link: pakistanmonthlyreview.com)

Director, Research and Publication Centre (RPC) (on Facebook)

The December 2025 issue of Pakistan Monthly Review (PMR) is out

The December 2025 issue of Pakistan Monthly Review (PMR) is out. Link: pakistanmonthlyreview.com

Contents:

1. Rashed Rahman: Marx and the Asiatic Mode of Production – II.
2. Samer Attar: On Bearing Witness.
3. Arnaud Bertrand: How long can China play the “rare earths card”?
4. Human Rights Watch: Afghanistan: Taliban Trample Media Freedom.
5. Vijay Prashad: Seven Theses on the Gen Z Uprisings in the Global South.
6. Susan Watkins: Israel after Fordow.
7. Saulat Nagi: “A Land of Slaves Shall Never Be Mine”.
8. Ray Nunes: From Marx to Mao – And After – IV: The ‘Four Modernisations’.
9. Navid Shahzad: Pakistan Here and Now: The Language of the Heart – V: The Significance of Hope.

Rashed Rahman

Editor, Pakistan Monthly Review (PMR) (link: pakistanmonthlyreview.com)

Director, Research and Publication Centre (RPC) (on Facebook)