‘The Blind Girl and an Elephant’, directed by Ishtiyak Ahmad Zihad , won the Best Cinematography award in the Asian New Talent competition section at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, with cinematographer Samiul Karim Shuptak receiving the honour at the prestigious event.
The award was accepted on Shuptak’s behalf by Ishtiyak Ahmad Zihad and producer Manoj Pramanik.
In the same competition section, Chinese film ‘Her First Taste’ won the Best Film award, while Ma Fufu was named Best Actress for her performance in the film.
Thai filmmaker Sompot Chidgasornpongse received the Best Director award for ‘Nine Temples to Heaven’ while Sompop Sangkhamphol won Best Actor.
‘The Blind Girl and an Elephant’ marks the feature directorial debut of Ishtiyak Ahmad Zihad and the first full-length production from producer Manoj Pramanik.
The film was produced by Pramanik’s production house Manpachitra in collaboration with German production company Mogador Films.
German producer Christoph Thoke served as associate producer, while internationally acclaimed film critic, producer and programmer Darcy Paquet joined the project as consulting producer. Filmmaker and producer Fazle Hasan Shishir also worked on the film as a co-producer.
The story follows three women in rural Bangladesh who dream of breaking free from superstition, patriarchy and social oppression. Through a series of unexpected and painful events, a blind young woman finds the strength to continue pursuing her dreams and eventually comes face to face with a mysterious elephant.
Shot entirely in black and white, the film explores themes of womanhood, belief, social control and personal freedom through a poetic cinematic language rooted in the realities of rural Bangladesh.
The cast includes Sanzida Akter Swarna, Tahmida Rahman Touhida, Sumaiya Haque, Ashok Bepari, Sabiha Zaman, Pankaj Majumdar, Munsif Mim and Nishat Tasnim, among others.
