The Clay Bird
(Matir moina)
by Tareque Masud
Bangladesh
Script: Tareque Masud, Catherine Masud
Cinematographer: Sudheer Palsane
Editing: Catherine Masud
Sound: Idrajit Neogi
Art Director: Kazi Rakib, Sylvain Namias
Music: M. Bhowmik
Cast: Nurul Islam Babu, Russel Farazi, J.Chattopadhyay, Rokeya Prachy
Production:
Catherine Masud
Audiovision
B-2 Siza Court
152 Monipuri Para
Dhaka-1215 Bangladesh
Tel / Fax : 00880.2.812.4225
Mail: [email protected]
Distribution:
MK2
55 rue Traversière
75012 Paris
France
Tel: 0033 1.44.67.30.87
Fax: 0033 1.43.44.20.18
Mail: [email protected]
www.mk2pro.com
Year: 2002
35 mm, Colour, 94 min,
OV Bengali with French Subtitles
Directors' Fortnight - Cannes Film Festival 2002
In the context of the political tensions of the late 60ies, Anu, a shy boy from East Pakistan, is sent to a madrassa by his father, an orthodox Muslim. Far from his family and the hearty Hindu festivals of his area, Anu struggles to adapt to a tough monastic life. In his village, a deep incomprehension separates his parents, just like in the madrassa a growing opposition takes place between moderates and fundamentalists. The conflicts intensify; the political upheaval leads the country to civil war…
"I wanted to explore the relationship between people who evolve and those who remain prisoners of their beliefs…unable to adapt to the changing world…The problem starts when we try to maintain a system of belief as the only solution to various aspects of life…In fact, if there is a message within the film, it is to fight against all radical mes sages or opinions."
Events and characters have largely been inspired by the director's own childhood. When religion rhymes with proscription...