The film directed by Mohammad Nuruzzaman has been nominated for Life Award (Best Humnitarian Film).
Mohammad Nuruzzaman is a Bangladeshi writer, director, and producer whose cinematic voice stands out for its introspective minimalism, sonic depth, and open-ended narratives. An Architecture graduate by training, Nuruzzaman has translated his spatial awareness and visual precision into a unique filmmaking style marked by quiet realism, evocative soundscapes, and a deep fascination with the unspoken.
Maqbool, an honest and kind-hearted elderly cook working on a fuel supply tanker, becomes the target of suspicion by the ship’s ambitious second-in-command, Helmsman, who dreams of becoming the Captain. When the ship halts at the port for repairs, Helmsman seizes the opportunity to engage in fuel smuggling in the absence of the captain. Meanwhile, Maqbool forms a caring bond with Noora, a street child living near the port. Upon hearing rumors of theft, the shipowner arrives unexpectedly. Impressed by Maqbool’s cooking and against Helmsman’s objections, he allows Noora to stay onboard as Maqbool’s assistant. But soon, in a cunning twist, Helmsman frames Noora for the fuel theft, leading to a harsh trial of Maqbool’s trust, compassion, and moral courage.
The Scavenger of Dreams Suman Ghosh India. 2023. 85 min
The story of a family of waste collectors in Calcutta who collects waste from one of the richest localities of the city. They sift through the wastes and bring objects for their 6 year old daughter to tell bed time stories at night. That is their connection with the richest strata of the society. Their life is left asunder when a new battery operated car is made mandatory for their collections.
Scream Kenzhebek Shaikakov Kazakhstan. 2023. 108 min
Born without legs, Melis lives with his young son in a small rural village. There is a weapons test site near the village, but Melis and other villagers lead a peaceful life. Zhalgas and his friends eagerly wait for the days when weapons are tested at the site, since the school closes on those days. With a strong will to live, Melis is wholeheartedly focused on raising his son. At some point, Melis’s body becomes associated with the weapons tests that signify nuclear experiments. This revelation causes an uproar in the village. Through the lens of everyday life in the small rural village, Kenzhebek Shaikakov captures the tragic history of Kazakhstan.
Goliath Adilkhan Yerzhanov Kazakhstan. 2022. 92 min
The Kazakh village Karatas has long been subjugated by a criminal boss called Poshaev. He provides housing and jobs for the locals but will ruthlessly execute anyone who dares to oppose him. This is the lesson the pauper Arzu is about to learn first-hand – his wife Karina has informed the police about the crimes that are taking place there. Arzu is a cripple; now he has to raise his little daughter alone. He is so helpless and grief-stricken that he doesn’t even seem to be contemplating revenge. Poshaev takes him under his wing and offers him the position of a guard at a building site. Soon Arzu has a chance to prove his loyalty, and he becomes Poshaev’s right hand. But where do Arzu’s real loyalties lie – with his boss or with the idea of justice?
I am not the river Jhelum Prabhash Chandra India. 2022. 95 min
The film shows glimpses of the life of its young protagonist Afeefa living in Kashmir. On the one hand, the film explores the suffocation and trauma experienced by Afeefa in her personal life and, on the other hand, the film evokes the atmosphere of perpetual uncertainty and violence in the milieu. In following the life of Afeefa, the film traces her growing understanding of the forces at play in Kashmir, India.
Belonging to an isolated fishing community of the Loktak lake, Chaoren makes the best use of his exclusive existence by excelling in school. When the canoe he uses every day to attend school has to be sold off because of his father’s illness, his spirit is not dampened. He beats the long distance from his shanty floating hut to his school by swimming his way through. But when the Government issues an eviction notice demanding Chaoren’s family to leave their home, his dreams are left with an angst of a displaced person.
ROMI MEITEI
Romi Meitei is prolific filmmaker who has given several box-office hits. Besides notching up commercial successes, his films have been screened in prestigious film festival including IFFI, MIFF,IFFK and others. He is recipent of prestigeous FIPRESCI and NETPAC award. He has also received several Manipur State Film Awards. He is the Chairman of Mami Thawan Foundation which aims to render services for the welfare of Manipur.
DIRECTOR,S NOTE
Globalisation cannot be interrupted by anyone and is renewing itself everyday. For a developing nation like ours, this is necessary. But advancement and growth in the name of globalisation does rise a concern in our minds if this is harming mother nature and affecting our habitats ? Development induced displacement has impacted many levels of community based society like ours. The kitle and kin of displaced communities that once co-existed with nature for their livelihood are now faced with a big dilema and left wandering like flocks of birds migrating for their survival and identities. The sight of this unstable livelihood is overwhemling and I, as a human, would wish that development of any kind would have the sensibility to protect the essence of communities like ours and coexist sustainably with natural habitats.
AWARDS
Best Feature Film at MSFA 22, Manipur/India
Best Art Director at MSFA 22 Manipur/India
Best Child Artiste at MSFA 22 Manipur/India
Best Editor at MSFA 22 Manipur/India
Best Sound Design at MSFA 22 Manipur/India
FIPRESCI Award for the Best International Film at 27IFFK, Kerala/India
NETPAC Jury Special Mention at 27IFFK, Kerala/India
Best Director Award at Sailadhar Film Awards, Assam/India
Best Cinematography Award at Sailadhar Awards, Assam/India
Best Child Artiste Award at Sailadhar Awards, Assam/India
The Dance of Ali and Zin Mehmet Ali Konar Turkey. 2021. 78 min
The story is set in a tiny Kurdish village. Isa’s younger brother ismurdered and brought back to his hometown. Two weeks after the funeral, his mother Zîn dreams of giving a wedding celebration for her deceased son. This strange idea sparks off a host of contradictory feelings within her, and between her and Isa and family members, who are still reeling from the trauma and grief of losing a brother. The family gradually proceed into a grey area in their relationship. These ordinary people find themselves living in a psychological minefield wrestling on the planes between logic, norms, emotions and irrationality.
A spiritual and emotional journey of a burned out British video editor Danny, as he travels to the same beach town in Goa (India) where his hippie parents had met back in the 70’s during the heydays of hippiedom.
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