"The aim was to focus on the internal rather than the external."
The highly anticipated trailer for Asif Islam’s Nirvana, a black-and-white film, was finally released.
The 85-minute feature stood out not just for its monochrome aesthetic but also because it is a silent film.
Instead, the film relied solely on its visuals to unravel the quiet, profound lives of three factory workers.
Produced by Asif Islam and Anwar Hossain, Nirvana took viewers into the lives of three characters who navigated through it with silent intensity.
Fatema Tuz Zohra Eva portrays a grieving mother and Priyam Archi is a woman who is betrayed by love.
Meanwhile, Imran Mahathir plays a man grappling with his sexual identity.
Speaking about the silent element, Asif said:
“The aim was to focus on the internal rather than the external.”
This artistic choice was reflected in the film’s stark imagery, which lacked the vibrancy typically associated with mainstream Bangladeshi cinema.
Asif added: “Bangladeshi cinema typically relies on vibrant visuals and loud, repetitive music.”
Sound designer Sukanta Majumder and composer Ben Roberts have important roles in shaping the film’s atmosphere.
Although there is no dialogue, Nirvana is not without sound.
To enhance its visual narrative, the film used ambient noises and minimalistic sound design.
Asif stressed that Nirvana was open to interpretation, and different viewers walked away with different understandings of the story.
He explained: “It isn’t a film where you interpreted the same way twice.”
Each character’s silent journey through grief, loss, and self-discovery invited the audience to reflect on their own experiences. This made it a deeply personal viewing experience.
The film’s limited budget forced the filmmakers to opt for black-and-white cinematography instead of their initial plan for colour.
Even after doing so, the film’s simplicity only added to its appeal.
Asif insisted that making a meaningful film didn’t require a large budget or a massive crew.
“You can make a film with the most basic and minimal resources, Nirvana is proof.”
The film earned international recognition at the 46th Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF), where it received the prestigious Special Jury Award.
As Nirvana gears up for screenings at festivals in Morocco, Spain, London, and India, Asif remains cautious about a commercial release in Bangladesh.
He is especially wary of potential censorship issues, given the film’s sensitive themes, including its LGBTQ narrative.
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