"Honestly, it feels amazing. I'm over the moon!"
Mehazabien Chowdhury is gearing up for another exciting opportunity as her film Saba prepares to be screened at the Busan International Film Festival.
The film received high praise during its debut in Toronto, marking a significant milestone for both Mehazabien and the Bangladeshi film industry.
Produced by Fusion Pictures and co-written by Maksud Hossain and Trilora Khan, Saba follows the story of a young woman in Dhaka who becomes the sole carer for her paralysed mother.
As she navigates the challenges of balancing her caregiving role with the demands of earning a living, her responsibilities become increasingly overwhelming.
The screenplay draws from personal experiences, with Trilora Khan having spent 25 years caring for her own mother.
Hossain was inspired by the loss of his father-in-law to Covid-19, imagining the struggles of a lower-middle-class woman facing these challenges alone.
Mehazabien expressed her joy about the film’s reception:
“Honestly, it feels amazing. I’m over the moon! The entire Saba team is thrilled.”
She remarked on the surprising connection foreign audiences had with a distinctly Bengali narrative, saying:
“We, as Bengalis, are known to be emotional, but the foreign viewers connected with the film on a deeply personal level.”
She is particularly looking forward to the reactions from the Korean audience.
The actress said: “If they embrace it, that would bring me even greater joy as an artiste.
“We’re taking Bangladeshi films, in the Bengali language, to foreign audiences. They’re starting to understand our culture, our way of life.”
Mehazabien emphasised the potential for more quality Bangladeshi films to reach global audiences in the future.
She reflected on the progress of Bangladeshi cinema, stating:
“If more films had made it overseas earlier, we would’ve seen even more progress by now. But it’s never too late.
“Our films are finding their place globally, and that’s what matters.”
As the Busan International Film Festival approaches, running from October 2 to October 11, 2024, Mehazabien is hopeful about attending in person.
She added: “I’m hoping to go. Let’s see what happens. It would be wonderful if I could make it.”
With Saba set to take the stage in Busan, Mehazabien Chowdhury is not only advancing her own career.
The actress is also shining a light on Bangladeshi cinema in the international arena.
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