This September, Vikalp@Prithvi will pay homage to Bangladesh's eminent filmmaker Tareque Masud. 'Matir Moina' ('The Clay Bird') is a Bangla film (with English subtitles) directed by Tareque Masud who was tragically killed in a road accident on 13 August 2011.
Set against the backdrop of the turbulent period in the late 60's leading up to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan, 'Matir Moina' tells the story of a family torn apart by religion and war. A young boy, Anu, is sent off to a strict Islamic school, or madrasa, by his deeply religious father Kazi.
As the political divisions in the country intensify, an increasing split develops between moderate and extremist forces within the madrasa, mirroring a growing divide between the stubborn but confused Kazi and his increasingly independent wife. Touching upon themes of religious tolerance, cultural diversity, and the complexity of Islam, the film has universal relevance in a crisis-ridden world.
The film has won a number of awards, including the International Critics' Prize at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.
