Raahim Tariq Imagines a Future Pakistan in Crisis
What if a routine day for a rickshaw driver in 2084 revealed the hidden struggles of a smog-filled dystopia? Whispers in the Smog is a thought-provoking short animation that captures the human spirit’s ability to endure, love, and resist in the face of adversity.
Raahim Tariq’s Whispers in the Smog follows Ahmed, a rickshaw driver navigating the dense, polluted streets of a futuristic Pakistan. Through a mix of striking visuals and compelling storytelling, Ahmed’s daily routine—filled with encounters that range from the heartbreaking to the hopeful—paints a vivid picture of societal struggles and personal connections in a dystopian world.
Inspiration:
With a color palette and atmosphere reminiscent of Blade Runner 2049, Whispers in the Smog captures the eerie beauty of a world choked by pollution. Raahim drew deeply from his research into Pakistan’s smog season and dystopian art, blending this with the expansive storytelling tools provided by the FutureNow Sci-Fi Creators Framework, Source: 2084. His work emphasizes the neglect of manual laborers and the hidden challenges of queer identity, creating a deeply personal narrative within a speculative world.
Collaboration:
Whispers in the Smog emerged as a collaboration between Embreate's Creator Boost program and FutureNow's Sci-Fi Academy. Raahim utilized the Source: 2084 framework to envision a future shaped by social and environmental challenges, crafting a narrative that balances cultural specificity with universal themes of resilience and connection.
Meet Raahim Tariq
Raahim is an emerging animator and OCAD University graduate whose work reflects his passion for exploring cultural narratives, queer identity, and the struggles of everyday life.
Motivations and Inspirations:
“I wanted to tell a story that felt deeply rooted in my experiences and perspective as a Pakistani artist,” Raahim shares. “Whispers in the Smog is about empathy and finding light in even the darkest moments.”
Raahim’s use of comic-style illustrations with rich lighting and shading creates an evocative atmosphere, while his willingness to experiment reflects his ongoing artistic evolution.
How Raahim Was Boosted
"The Creator Boost Program helped me channel my vision into something I’m truly proud of. From shaping my narrative to learning how to push my creative limits, this program was a pivotal moment in my journey as an animator."
Program Benefits:
I was encouraged to explore themes I’m passionate about, like cultural identity and environmental issues, with support from sci-fi story editors.
Embreate provided a platform to showcase my work to an audience that appreciates speculative narratives.
The program connected me with senior animators who gave me valuable feedback and insights into the industry.
I had the creative freedom to experiment with visual storytelling, guided by mentors who helped refine my technical and artistic skills.