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World Cinema Documentary Competition

Hanging by a Wire

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United States/United Kingdom/Pakistan202698 minEnglish, Urdu, Pashto
Hanging by a Wire

A routine school commute turns terrifying when a cable cars wire snaps, leaving eight passengers — including six schoolboys — dangling 900 feet above a ravine in the remote Himalayan foothills. With 10 hours before the remaining cable is expected to fail, a group of rescuers races to save them.

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A routine school commute turns terrifying when a cable car’s wire snaps, leaving eight passengers — including six schoolboys — dangling 900 feet above a ravine in the remote Himalayan foothills. With 10 hours before the remaining cable is expected to fail, a group of rescuers races to save them.

With a startling sense of immediacy, Hanging by a Wire transports viewers to rural Battagram, in northern Pakistan, to witness this harrowing scene unfold, which quickly becomes international news. With the clock ticking and pressure mounting, regional authorities, army commandos, and courageous local community members undertake dramatic risks to save the cable car passengers. Fault lines around class emerge in the process, begging the question of whose knowledge and expertise is valued and whose is instead dismissed, as well as why proper transportation infrastructure is lacking in these remote areas. Drawing from up-close drone footage, on-the-ground recordings from the assembled community of onlookers, and skillful reenactments featuring actual participants from the incident, director Mohammed Ali Naqvi constructs a riveting, unforgettable documentary thriller. — BT

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 29–February 1) and credentialed press and industry (January 28–February 1). 

World Cinema Documentary CompetitionAll FeaturesBIPOC StoriesInternationalNon-English LanguageNonfictionThrillerClosed CaptionOpen CaptionU.S. Only- less

Screenings

in persononline
  • Jan 22, 3:00 PM MST
    Premiere

    The Yarrow Theatre

    Park City

  • Jan 23, 8:50 PM MST
    Screening

    Megaplex Redstone - 3

    Park City

  • Jan 24, 12:00 PM MST
    Screening

    Broadway Centre Cinemas - 6

    Salt Lake City

    Open CaptionOpen Caption

  • Jan 29, 5:20 PM MST
    Screening

    Megaplex Redstone - 3

    Park City

  • Jan 30, 2:45 PM MST
    Screening

    The Yarrow Theatre

    Park City

  • Jan 29, 3:00 PM GMT -
    Feb 2, 6:55 AM GMT
    Online Screening

Credits

  • Director(s)

    Mohammed Ali Naqvi

  • Producer

    Mohammed Ali Naqvi

    Bilal Sami

  • Written by

    Mohammed Ali Naqvi

    Bilal Sami

  • Studio / Production Partners

    EverWonder Studio

    Universal Pictures Content Group

    Mindhouse

    64th Street Media

  • Executive Producer

    Ian Orefice

    Amanda Spain

    Jon Adler

    Bonnie McGrath

    Helen Parker

    Nancy Strang

    Aloke Devichand

    Arron Fellows

  • In Association with

    The Concordia Fellowship

  • Production Executive

    Suzy Burnet

  • Line Producer

    Hannah Ramsey

  • Cinematographer

    Brendan McGinity

  • Editor

    Will Grayburn

  • Composer

    Sven Faulconer

  • Contact

    Matt Horowitz

    mhorowitz@caa.com

    4242882211

Meet the Artist

Panelist Name

Mohammed Ali Naqvi

  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s films include the Television Academy Honor recipient Shame, in addition to Among the Believers, Insha’Allah Democracy, The Accused: Damned or Devoted?, and two seasons of Netflix’s Turning Point. His work has been nominated for Emmy Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, Cinema Eye Honors, and the UNESCO-Fellini Medal.

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