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| gross = {{PKRConvert|190|m}}<small>(through the 4th week in Pakistan)</small><ref name="arynews.tv">{{cite news|url=http://arynews.tv/en/index.php/pakistan/national/12003-waar-becomes-biggest-pakistani-movie-with-rs-19-crore-plus-turnover|title=WAAR becomes biggest Pakistani movie with Rs 19 crore plus turnover|date=11 November 2013|accessdate=12 November 2013}}</ref> |
| gross = {{PKRConvert|190|m}}<small>(through the 4th week in Pakistan)</small><ref name="arynews.tv">{{cite news|url=http://arynews.tv/en/index.php/pakistan/national/12003-waar-becomes-biggest-pakistani-movie-with-rs-19-crore-plus-turnover|title=WAAR becomes biggest Pakistani movie with Rs 19 crore plus turnover|date=11 November 2013|accessdate=12 November 2013}}</ref> |
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'''''Waar''''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|وار}}}}; {{transl|ur|''Wār''}}<nowiki>;</nowiki> {{IPA-ur|ʋɑːr|pron}}, meaning "[[Strike (attack)|Strike]]") is a 2013 English-language [[Pakistani cinema|Pakistani]] [[Action film|action]]/[[thriller]] and [[drama]] film directed by [[Bilal Lashari]], written and produced by Hassan Waqas Rana.<ref name="Tribune09012012">{{cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/318857/waging-waar/ |title=Waging Waar|publisher= The Express Tribune|date=9 January 2012 |first=Sher|last=Khan|location=Lahore}}</ref> The film features [[Shaan Shahid]], [[Meesha Shafi]], [[Ali Azmat]], [[Shamoon Abbasi]], [[Ayesha Khan]] and Kamran Lashari. |
'''''Waar''''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|وار}}}}; {{transl|ur|''Wār''}}<nowiki>;</nowiki> {{IPA-ur|ʋɑːr|pron}}, meaning "[[Strike (attack)|Strike]]") is a 2013 English-language [[Pakistani cinema|Pakistani]] [[Action film|action]]/[[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] and [[drama]] film directed by [[Bilal Lashari]], written and produced by Hassan Waqas Rana.<ref name="Tribune09012012">{{cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/318857/waging-waar/ |title=Waging Waar|publisher= The Express Tribune|date=9 January 2012 |first=Sher|last=Khan|location=Lahore}}</ref> The film features [[Shaan Shahid]], [[Meesha Shafi]], [[Ali Azmat]], [[Shamoon Abbasi]], [[Ayesha Khan]] and Kamran Lashari. |
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== Plot == |
== Plot == |
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=== Release === |
=== Release === |
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The film's release date was changed repeatedly and finally it was released on 16 October 2013 coinciding with [[Eid al-Adha]] in Pakistan.<ref name="Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui"/> Earlier it was scheduled to release on 6 September 2013.<ref name="Shoaib Ahmed">{{cite news|title=Waar to release on Eid|url=http://dawn.com/news/1049169/waar-to-release-on-eid|accessdate=16 October 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=12 October 2013|author=Shoaib Ahmed}}</ref> The first theatrical trailer of the movie was launched in January 2012<ref name="Dawn: First trailer">{{cite news|title=Watch: "Waar" trailer promises action and grit|url=http://dawn.com/news/684987/watch-waar-trailer-promises-action-and-grit|accessdate=16 October 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=2 January 2012}}</ref> while the second in January 2013.<ref name="Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui">{{cite news|author=Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui|title=Adults-only film Waar registers exceptional advanced bookings|url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/1050035/adults-only-film-waar-registers-exceptional-advanced-bookings|accessdate=16 October 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=16 October 2013}}</ref> One of the trailers was viewed more than 500,000 times the same month, making it one of the top five videos of the YouTube.<ref name="Jason Burke"/> The film was dubbed as the most anticipated film in the history of the Pakistani Cinema.<ref name="Tehelka: Sanaa Ahmed">{{cite journal|title=Does size matter in Pakistan|journal=Tehelka|date=28 January 2012|volume=9|issue=4|pages=52–53|url=http://emagazine.tehelka.com/tehelkaenglish/28012012/pdf/pagetemp.pdf|accessdate=17 October 2013|author=Sanaa Ahmed|editor1-first=Tarun|editor1-last=Tejpal|editor1-link=Tarun Tejpal|publisher=Neena Tejpal Sharma}}</ref> When the film could not make it to the screens in a considerable time after the release of trailers, the critics dubbed it as another project that will get shelved.<ref name="ET: Heads or tails"/> Shamoon Abbasi, the main antagonist, cited the lack of resources for filming as one of the reasons for its delay.<ref name="ET: Girls can do action sequences">{{cite news|title=Waar: ‘Girls can do action sequences, too’|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/616215/waar-girls-can-do-action-sequences-too/|accessdate=17 October 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=10 October 2013|author=Sher Khan}}</ref> The film premiered on 10 October at [[Karachi]]<ref name="ARY News">{{cite news|title=Premiere of "Waar", the Film of Nation|url=http://www.arynews.tv/en/index.php/ary-special/11083-premiere-of-%E2%80%9Cwaar%E2%80%9D,-the-film-of-nation|accessdate=16 October 2013|date=11 October 2013|agency=ARY News}}</ref> and on 14 October 2013 at [[Rawalpindi]]/Islamabad.<ref name="ET: Premiere">{{cite news|title=Out of the bag: ‘Waar’ finally hits twin cities’ screens|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/618671/out-of-the-bag-waar-finally-hits-twin-cities-screens/|accessdate=16 October 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=15 October 2013}}</ref> The film was given adults-only rating by the [[Sindh]]'s provincial censor board for use of obscene language and violence.<ref name="Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui"/> Waar was released in about forty five theaters across the country.<ref name="ET: Screens">{{cite news|title=Waar vs Boss: Shaan beats Akshay at screen space|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/618699/waar-vs-boss-shaan-beats-akshay-at-screen-space/|accessdate=17 October 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=16 October 2013|author=Rafay Mahmood}}</ref> The film was distributed by ARY Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment.<ref name="Pakistan Today: People hold on to your goats! Waar coming this Eid">{{cite news|title=People hold on to your goats! Waar coming this Eid|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/10/06/news/entertainment/people-hold-on-to-your-goats-waar-coming-this-eid/|accessdate=17 October 2013|newspaper=Pakistan Today|date=6 October 2013}}</ref> Earlier it was reported that the film would be distributed by [[Warner Bros]].<ref name="ET: Waar: Pakistan’s next blockbuster"/> The film is reported to be released in twenty five countries<ref name="Annabel Symington"/> and is all set to be released in [[UK]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://tribune.com.pk/story/630890/waar-set-to-release-in-the-uk/|title = Waar all set for UK release|publisher = The Express Tribune|date = November 12, 2013}}</ref> |
The film's release date was changed repeatedly and finally it was released on 16 October 2013 coinciding with [[Eid al-Adha]] in Pakistan.<ref name="Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui"/> Earlier it was scheduled to release on 6 September 2013.<ref name="Shoaib Ahmed">{{cite news|title=Waar to release on Eid|url=http://dawn.com/news/1049169/waar-to-release-on-eid|accessdate=16 October 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=12 October 2013|author=Shoaib Ahmed}}</ref> The first theatrical trailer of the movie was launched in January 2012<ref name="Dawn: First trailer">{{cite news|title=Watch: "Waar" trailer promises action and grit|url=http://dawn.com/news/684987/watch-waar-trailer-promises-action-and-grit|accessdate=16 October 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=2 January 2012}}</ref> while the second in January 2013.<ref name="Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui">{{cite news|author=Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui|title=Adults-only film Waar registers exceptional advanced bookings|url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/1050035/adults-only-film-waar-registers-exceptional-advanced-bookings|accessdate=16 October 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=16 October 2013}}</ref> One of the trailers was viewed more than 500,000 times the same month, making it one of the top five videos of the YouTube.<ref name="Jason Burke"/> The film was dubbed as the most anticipated film in the history of the Pakistani Cinema.<ref name="Tehelka: Sanaa Ahmed">{{cite journal|title=Does size matter in Pakistan|journal=Tehelka|date=28 January 2012|volume=9|issue=4|pages=52–53|url=http://emagazine.tehelka.com/tehelkaenglish/28012012/pdf/pagetemp.pdf|accessdate=17 October 2013|author=Sanaa Ahmed|editor1-first=Tarun|editor1-last=Tejpal|editor1-link=Tarun Tejpal|publisher=Neena Tejpal Sharma}}</ref> When the film could not make it to the screens in a considerable time after the release of trailers, the critics dubbed it as another project that will get shelved.<ref name="ET: Heads or tails"/> Shamoon Abbasi, the main antagonist, cited the lack of resources for filming as one of the reasons for its delay.<ref name="ET: Girls can do action sequences">{{cite news|title=Waar: ‘Girls can do action sequences, too’|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/616215/waar-girls-can-do-action-sequences-too/|accessdate=17 October 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=10 October 2013|author=Sher Khan}}</ref> The film premiered on 10 October at [[Karachi]]<ref name="ARY News">{{cite news|title=Premiere of "Waar", the Film of Nation|url=http://www.arynews.tv/en/index.php/ary-special/11083-premiere-of-%E2%80%9Cwaar%E2%80%9D,-the-film-of-nation|accessdate=16 October 2013|date=11 October 2013|agency=ARY News}}</ref> and on 14 October 2013 at [[Rawalpindi]]/Islamabad.<ref name="ET: Premiere">{{cite news|title=Out of the bag: ‘Waar’ finally hits twin cities’ screens|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/618671/out-of-the-bag-waar-finally-hits-twin-cities-screens/|accessdate=16 October 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=15 October 2013}}</ref> The film was given adults-only rating by the [[Sindh]]'s provincial censor board for use of obscene language and violence.<ref name="Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui"/> Waar was released in about forty five theaters across the country.<ref name="ET: Screens">{{cite news|title=Waar vs Boss: Shaan beats Akshay at screen space|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/618699/waar-vs-boss-shaan-beats-akshay-at-screen-space/|accessdate=17 October 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=16 October 2013|author=Rafay Mahmood}}</ref> The film was distributed by ARY Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment.<ref name="Pakistan Today: People hold on to your goats! Waar coming this Eid">{{cite news|title=People hold on to your goats! Waar coming this Eid|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/10/06/news/entertainment/people-hold-on-to-your-goats-waar-coming-this-eid/|accessdate=17 October 2013|newspaper=Pakistan Today|date=6 October 2013}}</ref> Earlier it was reported that the film would be distributed by [[Warner Bros]].<ref name="ET: Waar: Pakistan’s next blockbuster"/> The film is reported to be released in twenty five countries<ref name="Annabel Symington"/> and is all set to be released in the [[UK]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://tribune.com.pk/story/630890/waar-set-to-release-in-the-uk/|title = Waar all set for UK release|publisher = The Express Tribune|date = November 12, 2013}}</ref> |
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===Critical Reception=== |
===Critical Reception=== |
Revision as of 09:07, 17 November 2013
Waar | |
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File:Waar film 2013.jpg | |
Directed by | Bilal Lashari |
Written by | Hassan Waqas Rana |
Produced by | Hassan Waqas Rana Jameel Ahmed |
Starring | Shaan Shahid Shamoon Abbasi Ali Azmat Ayesha Khan |
Music by | Amir Munawar[2] |
Production company | MindWorks Media |
Distributed by | ARY Films Mandviwalla Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 130 minutes[3] |
Country | Pakistan |
Language | English |
Budget | Rs. 200 million (US$690,000)[4][5] |
Box office | Rs. 190 million (US$660,000)(through the 4th week in Pakistan)[6] |
Waar (Urdu: وار; Wār; pronounced [ʋɑːr], meaning "Strike") is a 2013 English-language Pakistani action/thriller and drama film directed by Bilal Lashari, written and produced by Hassan Waqas Rana.[7] The film features Shaan Shahid, Meesha Shafi, Ali Azmat, Shamoon Abbasi, Ayesha Khan and Kamran Lashari.
Plot
The film is a stylized depiction of events surrounding the war on terror in Pakistan,[4][8] including the attack on a Police Academy at Lahore in 2009.[9]
Major Mujtaba (played by Shaan) is a former Pakistan Army officer, who took an early retirement from the service. The plot involves a counter-terrorism operation being conducted in the Northwestern tribal region of Pakistan, lead by Ehtesham (played by Hamza Ali Abbasi) and coordinated by an intelligence officer played by Ayesha. Ehtesham and the intelligence officer come to know of a major terrorist attack that can only be countered with the help of Major Mujtaba.[10]
Cast
- Shaan Shahid[7] as Major Mujtaba, former Pakistan Army Officer[10]
- Shamoon Abbasi[7] as Ramal, Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing's operative[10]
- Meesha Shafi[7] as Laxmi, Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing's operative[10]
- Ali Azmat[7] as Ejaz Khan, politician[10]
- Hamza Ali Abbasi as Ehtesham[7]
- Ayesha Khan[7] as Javeria,[11] an intelligence officer[12] and Ehtesham's sister[10]
Production
The film's title "Waar" is an Urdu language word meaning "to strike".[9] Waar is primarily an English language film with some dialogues in Urdu. According to the producer Hassan Waqas Rana they considered dubbing the movie in Urdu but dropped the idea as it compromised the lead role played by Shaan Shahid. It is reported to include four hundred visual effects.[13] The film that took three years to complete[14] is Bilal Lashari's debut as a director, who earlier has directed music videos[15] and assisted Shoaib Mansoor in Khuda Kay Liye.[16] Earlier it was reported that Tom Delmar who has worked as stunt director in a number of Hollywood movies would direct the film,[17] later Lashari was chosen as the director who was already working with Rana on another project. Ali Azmat and Meesha Shafi both of whom are known for singing are making their acting debut in the film.[16]
Casting
Originally Ali Azmat's and Ayesha Khan's roles were limited to guest appearance that were later expanded to full roles.[13] Hamza Ali Abbasi who intended to work as assistant director on the film was casted as an actor.[18]
Filming
Locations for the filming were reported in 2011 to include Lahore, Islamabad and Swat Valley. Scenes were also reportedly shot in Istanbul. The film is produced by Mind Works Media. Earlier it was reported that the film was shot in collaboration with the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army[4] but the director Bilal Lashari denied any such collaboration saying that the confusion might have arisen as Mind Works Media worked on a documentary film The Glorious Resolve along with ISPR at the same time when Waar was being filmed.[19] The film is reported to be the highest budgeted film of Pakistani film industry with a budget of about PKR: 200 million .[4][5]
Reception
Release
The film's release date was changed repeatedly and finally it was released on 16 October 2013 coinciding with Eid al-Adha in Pakistan.[20] Earlier it was scheduled to release on 6 September 2013.[5] The first theatrical trailer of the movie was launched in January 2012[21] while the second in January 2013.[20] One of the trailers was viewed more than 500,000 times the same month, making it one of the top five videos of the YouTube.[9] The film was dubbed as the most anticipated film in the history of the Pakistani Cinema.[22] When the film could not make it to the screens in a considerable time after the release of trailers, the critics dubbed it as another project that will get shelved.[13] Shamoon Abbasi, the main antagonist, cited the lack of resources for filming as one of the reasons for its delay.[12] The film premiered on 10 October at Karachi[23] and on 14 October 2013 at Rawalpindi/Islamabad.[24] The film was given adults-only rating by the Sindh's provincial censor board for use of obscene language and violence.[20] Waar was released in about forty five theaters across the country.[25] The film was distributed by ARY Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment.[26] Earlier it was reported that the film would be distributed by Warner Bros.[4] The film is reported to be released in twenty five countries[14] and is all set to be released in the UK[27]
Critical Reception
Rafay Mahmood for The Express Tribune gave the movie three out of five stars and commended the cinematography, editing and sound design but viewed critically the story and some performances. According to the review 'Waar' is a "piece of pointless propaganda (and) is going to further confuse an already puzzled nation about Pakistan’s outlook on counter-terrorism. In the long run, it will prove to be a great feature for Pakistani cinema but a damaging one for intellect.[10]
Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn gave 'Waar' a negative review, calling the screenplay a "codswallop of instances taped together to form narrative coherency". He also criticized the film's English language, stating that "catering to the international market is one thing, but relying solely on it is either ignorance or arrogance". His review labels 'Waar' as a "'showy' enterprise." where the "story, the plot, the resolve – in fact everything – hangs on a failing thread"[11]
Salman Khalid for Daily Times talks about the message given by the movie that highlights the "Pakistani perspective on the menace of terrorism", while acclaiming the story, direction, action sequences and individual performances.[28]
Indian film director Ram Gopal Varma praised the film, saying he was "stunned beyond belief" and congratulated Bilal Lashari.[29]
Box office
Waar opened on the first day of Eid al-Adha on 42 screens, the widest release ever, across Pakistan with 100% occupancy and it broke records with capacity audiences. It earned Rs. 11.4 million (US$39,000) in it's first day, thus breaking the previous record of Rs. 9 million (US$31,000) held by Chennai Express.[30] It earned a total of Rs. 42.6 million (US$150,000) till Friday night, breaking all previous records of Eid collections.[31] Waar collected Rs. 97 million (US$340,000) in its extended first week of nine days[32] and added another Rs. 37 million (US$130,000), thus making a total of Rs. 130 million (US$450,000) in thirteen days.[33] The film manages to collect Rs. 190 million (US$660,000), which, with turnover, pulls it just ahead of Syed Noor's 1998 film Choorian, which earned ₨200 million.[6]
Music
The film's music that took almost two years to get completed is composed by Amir Munawar[2][34] while Qayaas and Umair Jaswal have contributed a song each.[10]
References
- ^ "It's official: Waar set for Eidul Azha release". The Express Tribune. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- ^ a b Khan, Sher (23 September 2013). "Why Waar's music took two years to make". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- ^ "Four films to be released today". Dawn. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Biya Shadab (26 April 2011). "Waar: Pakistan's next blockbuster?". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ a b c Shoaib Ahmed (12 October 2013). "Waar to release on Eid". Dawn. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ a b "WAAR becomes biggest Pakistani movie with Rs 19 crore plus turnover". 11 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g Khan, Sher (9 January 2012). "Waging Waar". Lahore: The Express Tribune.
- ^ "Meesha Shafi joins Mira Nair's The Reluctant Fundamentalist". The News. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ a b c Jason Burke (17 February 2012). "Pakistan film fans prepare for Waar". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rafay Mahmood (11 October 2013). "Waar: All that glitters". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- ^ a b Mohammad Kamran Jawaid (18 October 2013). "Movie Review: Waar". Dawn. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ a b Sher Khan (10 October 2013). "Waar: 'Girls can do action sequences, too'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ a b c Sher Khan (6 August 2013). "Heads or tails: Waar to finally release this fall". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ a b Annabel Symington. "Making a Big-Budget Movie in Pakistan". India Real Time. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ "All set for the movies Pakistan?". The News. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ a b Osman Khalid Butt (20 November 2011). "Making a feature film in Pakistan requires sacrifice". The News. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ Hamad Dar (2 February 2010). "Hollywood is Here, Are You Ready for Auditions?". Koolmuzone. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ Sher Khan (11 November 2012). "Hamza Ali Abbasi gears up for Kambakht". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ Sher Khan (9 January 2012). "Waging Waar". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ a b c Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui (16 October 2013). "Adults-only film Waar registers exceptional advanced bookings". Dawn. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ "Watch: "Waar" trailer promises action and grit". Dawn. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ Sanaa Ahmed (28 January 2012). Tejpal, Tarun (ed.). "Does size matter in Pakistan" (PDF). Tehelka. 9 (4). Neena Tejpal Sharma: 52–53. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ "Premiere of "Waar", the Film of Nation". ARY News. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ "Out of the bag: 'Waar' finally hits twin cities' screens". The Express Tribune. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ Rafay Mahmood (16 October 2013). "Waar vs Boss: Shaan beats Akshay at screen space". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ "People hold on to your goats! Waar coming this Eid". Pakistan Today. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
- ^ "Waar all set for UK release". The Express Tribune. 12 November 2013.
- ^ Muhammad Salman Khalid (19 October 2013). "Movie Review: 'Waar'". Daily Times. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ "WAAR-struck: Ram Gopal Varma gushes over Lashari's blockbuster". Express Tribune. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "Waar beats domestic box office record with opening day take of Rs11.4m – The Express Tribune". Express Tribune. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ "Waar scores biggest Eid collection in Pakistan – The Express Tribune". Express Tribune. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ "Box Office history: Racing to Rs150m milestone in 9 days – The Express Tribune". Express Tribune. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ "Pakistani film Waar earns approx Rs.13 Crores in thirteen days - AAJ News". Aaj.tv. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ Agha, Saira (6 July 2012). "Amir Munawar – the music maestro composes for 'Waar'!". Daily Times. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
Further reading
- Khan, Sher (28 August 2012). "Genius or moron – you decide, says Waar producer". Lahore: The Express Tribune.
- "'Waar,' Pakistani Movie Blockbuster, Sets Records By Bashing India (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. 15 October 2013.