HALF WIDOW
Amid the backdrop of the Kashmiri conflict, a young woman must come to grips with the disappearance of her doting husband and embarks on harrowing journey of self-discovery.
Director
DANISH RENZU is a Kashmir born film director, whose work direction and writing has received critical acclaim, whilst his work in drama specifically has earned him official selection in various film festivals and recognition in press and media. A graduate of University of California Los Angeles, Danish was born in Kashmir, India. He came to America all by himself at a very young age to pursue his dreams. He also holds a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering degree.
Danish Renzu grew up in the conflict driven valley of Kashmir where he lived through frequent bombings, shutdowns and abuse of human rights, he realized early in life that true solution lies in investing our energies toward personal development, education and community growth.
His first independent short film IN SEARCH OF AMERICA INSHALLAH, a story about a Pakistani woman in search of her disappeared husband, shot in Los Angeles, was received well throughout the world in various film festivals including recognition at Cannes, CAAM, Asians on Film Festival, Noor Iranian Film Festival, and various other film festivals even won various best actress awards to the lead actress of the film. The film was also well received in the press including recognition in Chime for Change, Indiewire, Women’s Voices Now etc. Inspired by the true story, the film showcased the plight of a suppressed Muslim woman finally making decision for her life by choosing what’s best for herself rather than following the cultural and societal force upon obligations laid on her. The film is also distributed by SHORTS HD TV after its successful festival run for over 2 years featured in over 30 film festivals. His second shot film FIRST LOVE which was about a South Asian woman finding her muse premiered at prestigious New York Indian Film Festival in 2015 and then was picked under Official Short Film Competition at London South Asian Film Festival.
His feature film career began with the drama HALF WIDOW (2016), a story of a Kashmiri woman in search of her disappeared husband set in the conflict driven valley of Kashmir. The film is currently in post-production and is awaiting world-premiere. Another feature film THE ILLEGAL is currently in post-production and stars Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussein, Shweta Tripathy, Neelima Azim and Iqbal Theba in lead roles.
Festivals/Awards
South Asian International Film Festival (Audience Choice Best Feature Film), Jaipur International Film Festival, ARY Film Festival, CAAMFest 2018, Seattle International Film Festival, New Jersey Indian Film Festival