THE CLAY BIRD (Matir Moina)

NEW YORK PREMIERE
Friday, April 30 7:00 PM
Anthology Film Archives
Director Tareque Masud and Producer Catherine Masud will be present at premiere

Daily Screenings:
April 30 to May 13
7:00 and 9:15 PM
Saturdays and Sundays additional screening 4:45 PM

Tickets:
$8 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, & AFA members.
Tickets available day of show only at Anthology Film Archives. Box Office opens 30 minutes prior to show.

Group Discounts:
Advanced group discount tickets available for groups of 10 or more ($5 reduced rate). Contact Anthology's Travis Miles directly at 212-505-5181 x20 -- up to 3 days before the preferred screening. The total sum will be paid when tickets are picked up on screening day. The amount due should be paid in cash or with a BUSINESS check (no personal checks). If you have more questions about group sales, please write Travis: afatravis@mac.com.

About Anthology Film Archives. Anthology Film Archives is located at 32 Second Ave. at Second Street and can be reached by the Second Avenue F train or the #6, Bleecker Street stop. More info...

About Milestone. Milestone Films has presented masters of cinema like Alfred Hitchcock, Hiroshi Teshigahara, Luchino Visconti, Pier Paolo Pasolini, F.W. Murnau, Orson Welles, and Luis Bunuel. They have also promoted the work of some of the best directors working today, including Takeshi Kitano, Jane Campion, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Alan Berliner and Philip Haas. More info...

For more info: thirdi_ny@yahoo.com

About the Film

Director: Tareque Masud
France/Bangladesh. 2002.
94 minutes. Color.

Winner of the FIPRESCI International Critics prize, this film was Bangladesh's first submission for the Foreign-Language Oscar competition. Originally banned in Bangladesh for "controversial religious content", this intelligent and tender drama is set against the backdrop of the turbulent period in the late 1960s leading up to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971.

The Clay Bird tells the story of a family torn apart by religion and war. Anu, a shy young boy from rural East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), is sent away by his father Kazi, an orthodox Muslim, to a madrasa or Islamic school. Far from his family and the colorful Hindu festivals of his village, Anu struggles to adapt to the school's harsh, monastic life. As the political divisions in the country mount, a widening split develops between moderate and extremist forces within the madrasa, mirroring a growing divide between fundamentalist Kazi and his increasingly independent wife, Ayesha.

These conflicts intensify as the country is wracked by political upheaval, culminating in the outbreak of war in 1971. Amidst the devastation, Ayesha makes her choice and Anu finds a new path into adulthood. Touching upon themes of religious tolerance, cultural diversity, and the complexity of Islam, The Clay Bird has universal relevance in a crisis-ridden world.

In the tradition of Bengali film master Satyajit Ray (Pather Panchali), Tareque Masud tells his semi-autobiographical story using poetic and stunning cinematography, folk music, and remarkable performances by a primarily non-professional cast. Masud, a founding member of Dhaka's Short Film Forum, and his American wife Catherine have together produced six documentaries, including Muktir Gaan (Song of Freedom) and Muktir Kotha (Words of Freedom). Their debut feature The Clay Bird continues the Masuds' commitment to present an authentic picture of Bangladesh, showing the country in all its color and complexity - its seasonal beauty, rich folkloric traditions, and pluralistic culture - and exploring the issues that most affect its people.

A hymn to tolerance, The Clay Bird, the first Bangladeshi feature to receive a wide theatrical release in the US, is a transcendent experience.

Cast: Nurul Islam Bablu, Russell Farazi, Jayanto Chattopadhyay, Rokeya Prachy.

"THE CLAY BIRD is not a film about a community seen from the outside, but rather from the inside — trying to understand myself, my community, and my own religion as a Muslim." — Tareque Masud

About 3rd I. 3rd I New York's monthly film and music salon designed by local filmmakers and experimental DJs showcases the works of independent filmmakers of South Asian descent and local djs, musicians and electronica artists. Providing alternative forums for South Asian filmmakers who often have few venues to showcase their work not only increases their visibility, but also provides a social forum for peers and audiences to participate in an ongoing discussion. More info...