SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 7PM

AMADER KOTHA (OUR STORIES): Shorts From Bangladesh

In Collaboration with DRISHTIPAT and KENDRO (World Literature Center)

Director Yasmine Kabir present for Q&A.

MY MIGRANT SOUL

Bangladesh 2000; 35 mins., Language: Bangla (English subtitles)

DIRECTOR: Yasmine Kabir

The life of Shahjahan Babu, a young Bangladeshi migrant worker in Malaysia, showing how his dreams dissolve into desperation, despair and death in police custody. A searing indictment of the human costs of the international export market of cheap labour emerging in the wake of globalization.

DIRECT-DIRECT

Bangladesh 2003; 6 mins., Music

DIRECTOR: Yasmine Kabir

Video Singer Pothik Nobi (prophet of the road) creates a soundscape about thestreets of Dhaka. Director Kabir complements the music with colorful views of Dhaka street life.

OUT OF FOCUS

Stories that have emerged about working class communities have invariably been stories arousing sympathy for the poor and respect for the benevolent, and have not addressed the politics of inequality and exploitation, or the power of the elite. It was felt that images produced by working class children, could perhaps overcome this inequality. This collective attempt by these working class children of Mirpur, under the name OUT OF FOCUS, and DRIK remains one of the few examples where such complete authority has been questioned.

This evening, we present two short documentaries created by the children of OUT OF FOCUS.

ONE LOKMAN

Bangladesh 2002; 10 mins., Bangla with English Subtitles

DIRECTOR: Out Of Focus

Lokman is a ten-year old who has taught himself to play instruments. He now accompanies his father, a blind street musician, on the streets of Dhaka. Lokman dreams of being a big singer.

FLOWER SELLER

Bangladesh 2002; 10 mins., Bangla with English Subtitles

DIRECTOR: Out Of Focus

A day in the life of a young girl, who sells flowers to passing cars on the streets of Dhaka.

UNISON

Bangladesh; 2 mins., Music

DIRECTOR: Catherine & Tareque Masud

Religious symbols, usually in direct clash in the modern world, blend into one another-- highlighting the common roots and ending in a plea for communal harmony. Created as opening logo for Indian Film Festival.

LET ME LIVE

Bangladesh; 6 mins., Music

DIRECTOR: Catherine & Tareque Masud

Children laughing, playing, working, and studying. From child laborers to middle-class children, a plea for the universal rights of child.

For more info thirdi_ny@yahoo.com

JUNE 21