"This is a huge achievement for us"
Mehazabien Chowdhury’s Priyo Maloti is set to make its mark at the prestigious Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF).
It will represent Bangladesh in the World Cinema category.
The festival’s 45th edition will take place from November 13 to 22, 2024, at Cairo’s historic Opera House.
A diverse selection of films from around the globe will be showcased there.
Known as ‘Whispers of a Thirsty River’ in English, Priyo Maloti features Mehazabien in the lead role.
The supporting cast includes Nader Chowdhury, Azad Abul Kalam, Shahjahan Samrat, and Rizvi Riju.
The screenplay was co-written by Shankha Dasgupta and Abu Sayeed Rana.
Priyo Maloti‘s unique narrative intertwines ordinary life experiences with a political perspective.
Mehazabien said: “My second feature film Priyo Maloti has been officially selected for the world premiere at the prestigious Cairo International Film Festival 2024, which will take place in Cairo, Egypt, in mid-November.
“This is a huge achievement for us, and a matter of great pride for the entire team.
“We never imagined that a story based on Bangladesh would resonate so significantly on an international stage.
“This is a monumental success for our team.”
Shankha emphasised the significance of showcasing the film at Africa’s largest festival.
Noting that production began in mid-2023, he claimed that reaching an international audience in such a short time is a significant milestone.
The film will have four screenings at the festival, including two for attendees, a press show, and one for the jury.
Each screening will be accompanied by a Q&A session, which will engage audiences and foster discussions around the film’s themes.
Mehazabien Chowdhury reflected on the rewarding experience of being part of such a significant project, saying:
“Playing Maloti was compelling due to the unique storyline, and I’m looking forward to international audiences experiencing it.”
Mehazabien further expressed her hope that Bangladeshi viewers will soon have the opportunity to see the film.
“After the world premiere, we plan to release the movie in theatres in the country as soon as possible.”
The 45th edition of CIFF will feature 194 films from 72 countries.
A theatrical release date for Priyo Maloti in Bangladesh is yet to be confirmed.
But the joint producers, Frame Per Second and Chorki, are looking forward to bringing this story home to local audiences.
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