Bangladeshi cinema is ready to make its mark on the global stage, with "Priyo Maloti," featuring Mehazabien Chowdhury, officially selected for the esteemed Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF).
The film, titled "Whispers of a Thirsty River" in English, is directed by Shankha Das Gupta and will represent Bangladesh in the World Cinema category at the 45th Cairo International Film Festival, scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 at the historic Opera House in Cairo, reports The Daily Star.
The film stars renowned Bangladeshi actress Mehazabien Chowdhury in the lead role, with the screenplay written by Shankha Das Gupta and Abu Sayeed Rana. Gupta, who also wrote the story, makes his directorial debut with this feature.
Expressing his excitement about the selection, Gupta shared, "Getting the film into Africa's largest festival is a significant achievement. We began production in mid-2023, and I'm thrilled it's finally reaching an international audience."
He added that "Priyo Maloti" delves into life's ordinary experiences, yet weaves in a unique political perspective, which he believes will resonate with viewers. "This film reflects much of my personal philosophy and aims to show that art is never truly separate from politics."
Mehazabien, who stars as Maloti, was equally thrilled about the selection. "While working on a project, we don't usually consider festivals. But seeing it selected internationally is incredibly rewarding. Playing Maloti was compelling due to the unique storyline, and I'm looking forward to international audiences experiencing it," she said.
She also expressed her hope that Bangladeshi viewers will soon have a chance to see the film, which she believes will resonate deeply with them.
The film also stars Nader Chowdhury, Azad Abul Kalam, Shahjahan Samrat, and Rizvi Riju in supporting roles.
"Priyo Maloti" will have four screenings at CIFF, including two for festival attendees, a press show, and one for the festival jury. Each screening will include a Q&A session, offering audiences an interactive experience with the team behind the film.
Although the release date in Bangladesh has not been set, the film’s co-producers, Frame Per Second and Chorki, are excited to bring it to the local audience.
Bd-pratidn English/ Afia
