Draft:Dreams in Dust Documentary
| Submission declined on 18 April 2025 by Spiderone (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of films). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Dreams in Dust is a 2025 Pakistani investigative documentary film directed by Muhammad Mehdi. The film explores the harsh realities of child labor in Pakistan by following the lives of two children, Murtaza Ahmed, a young car mechanic in Rawalpindi, and Zeeshan, a six-year-old boy working at a brick kiln in Islamabad. The film provides a deeply human and observational lens on the socioeconomic pressures that lead families to accept child labor as a norm.
Synopsis
[edit]The documentary juxtaposes the daily routines of two child laborers across different industries—automobile repair and brick production. Murtaza, around 13 years old, lives with his older brother and sister-in-law, working at a mechanic workshop after leaving school. Zeeshan, who attends school in the morning, spends his afternoons working alongside his father at a brick kiln, receiving no wage as his labor is considered part of a family contribution. The film uses a poetic yet journalistic style to explore the structural, social, and legal frameworks that perpetuate child labor.
Dreams in Dust includes interviews with child rights expert Irum Mumtaz and kiln supervisor Fazal Hameed, offering insights into the challenges of enforcement and the cultural normalization of child labor. Due to legal and ethical constraints, Zeeshan could not be interviewed, though visual documentation of his working conditions is included.
Production
[edit]Director: Muhammad Mehdi
Featuring: Murtaza Ahmed, Fazal Hameed, Zeeshan, Irum Mumtaz
Production Crew: Ali Maisam and Haider Rizvi
Post-production: Muhammad Mehdi
Filming Locations: Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi
Music: 'Cinematic Documentary' by Lexin_Music, 'Past the Edge' by Kevin MacLeod, 'Solitude' by Monument_Music
Languages: English and Urdu (with English subtitles)
Release Date: April 16, 2025
Themes
[edit]The documentary delves into:
Economic disparity, family pressure, child rights laws in Pakistan, the invisibility of exploited children in public spaces, societal complicity and silence and the potential for education and reform
Reception and Screenings
[edit]Dreams in Dust is currently being submitted to national and international film festivals. As of April 2025, updates and outreach efforts are ongoing with child rights advocates including Irum Mumtaz. The film has not yet received public broadcast or commercial release.