Students and alumni of the Government Colleague University (GCU), Lahore are hosting a week-long Harry Potter festival which will feature a first of its kind fan-made movie, ‘The Last Follower and the Resurrection of Voldemort’, along with merchandise stalls and other events.
The film has been shot at the 156-year-old vintage GCU campus which was reimagined to match the magical castle of Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies. The film shows students, with wands in their hands and house scarfs around their necks, mimicking J.K Rowling’s fictional world.
Marian Hassan Naqvi, who acted in the film, told India Today, “We started working on the project way back in 2018 but Covid-19 delayed some re-shoots. Looking at the beautiful architecture of our campus, we, a group of Harry Potter fans, always used to imagine that we can create our own Hogwarts here”.
Naqvi further said, “Such an event is being organised in Pakistan for the first time… fortunately, there hasn’t been any opposition yet”.
News of the festival drew an excited response from social media users with many sharing the trailer of the film or pictures from the beautifully decorated campus.
https://twitter.com/carbonara_80/status/1465317038742818820
Harry potter festival week held at GC university. Just wow 😮 pic.twitter.com/cxCffUusXj
— Rija🇵🇸stan arshad shareef😭💔 (@khush_hun_bht) November 27, 2021
"What a movie it was" Absolutely incredible #ravians. I always used to visualise #gcu as #hogwarts but now I know there are a lot of other #Wizards and #witches there at #gc
Also, the #HarryPotter festival held at Sallam hall was wonderful.@KhayaaliP @gcuniversitylhr @zaidia pic.twitter.com/xTHQ5jmVM4— Faiq Saeed (@FaiqSaeed_FS) November 29, 2021
One user expressed her amazement at the pictures circulating on social media.
Harry potter festival week held at GC university. Just wow 😮 pic.twitter.com/cxCffUusXj
— Rija🇵🇸stan arshad shareef😭💔 (@khush_hun_bht) November 27, 2021
There was, however, some criticism directed at the festival as well, with one social media user terming the use of magic and its depiction as being against the teaching of Islam. However, most social media users were quick to dismiss the moral police and encouraged the students for their creativity.
The festival will be held at GCU from November 29 to December 5.
What a shame! what kind of heroes our young generation is looking forward to…..
I think the management of GC is insane!! Bewitched by the filth of the West!…. Stay calm and carry on!