Before a latter-day disaster in one project that involved the Taliban in the most dangerous of locations in North Waziristan, Asad Qureshi worked on several films covering locations in England, Tibet, Saudi Arabia, Norway and Pakistan and mountain ranges such as Karokorams, Pamirs and Hindu Kush.

Asad Qureshi travelled to the heart of the Taliban territory to film a peace-making initiative between the Taliban, Pakistan and the Western Allies. Asad and his three colleagues - Khalid Khawaja, Col Imam and Rustam Khan - were betrayed and all four ended up being captives of the Taliban. Demands for ransom, and release of Taliban prisoners, followed. Just over a month into their captivity, Asad's friend and guide Khalid Khawaja was executed. After 165 days of captivity, Asad and his assistant were released. Six months later Col Imam was executed.

Asad Qureshi is a film-maker who has developed his own niche in his endeavours and profession. A chance meeting with Oscar-winning film director John Schlesinger in 1978 while he was directing Yanks in the Bradford area led to his introduction to the film industry. Since then he has learnt to set himself apart from the normal run-of-the-mill genre in film-making by selecting assignments to focus on that have undertones of danger and are a challenge. Difficult geographical terrains and complexity of subjects have always fascinated him and drew him to such projects. Over time, he has become known as someone who is totally dedicated and uncompromising in his quest to uncover and tell the truth. He has straddled different cultures and continents in his search for the truth; he has worked with the A tier cast and crews from the US with large budgets to almost one-man-bands; from do-everything-himself documentaries to shoe-string budgets.

Registration is not required. Please arrive promptly at 6pm at Room 144, the Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9SL. Metered car parking is available.

By: Katy Joanna Joyce
Last updated: Monday, 22 February 2016