Bangladeshi filmmaker Ishtiyak Ahmed Zihad’s debut feature, ‘Sankota Dulchhe’ (The Blind Girl and an Elephant), has earned selections at two international film festivals, adding to its growing presence on the global cinema circuit.
The film tells the stories of three women living in rural Bangladesh, exploring their lives, dreams and desire for freedom. It previously won an award at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June, where it participated without much publicity.
The black-and-white film is a co-production between MANpaCHITRA the production house of actor and producer Manoj Pramanik, and Germany’s Mogador Film.
Its distinctive visual language draws on carefully composed frames, the use of light and shadow, static and long takes, and close observation of rural life.
The story follows three women as they search for ways to live on their own terms amid superstition, religious conservatism, patriarchal social structures and various restrictions.
The cast includes Sanjida Akter Swarna, Tahmida Rahman Tuhida, Sumaiya Akter, Munsif Mim, Ashok Bepari, Pankaj Palit and Rabius Sani, among others.
The film has been selected for Poland’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE festival, where Zihad has received a nomination for Best Director, while cinematographer Samiul Karim Suptak has been nominated for Best Cinematographer. The festival will run from 7 to 14 November.
Meanwhile, ‘Sankota Dulchhe’ will compete in the International Critics’ Week Competition at the 47th Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt.
The Bangladeshi production will vie for the Shadi Abdel Salam Award for Best Film and the Fathy Farag Award – Special Jury Prize. The Cairo festival will take place from 11 to 20 November.
The selections mark another step forward for the film as it brings stories of rural Bangladeshi women to international audiences.
