My Bicycle (Chakma: Mor Thengari) is a Bangladeshi indie film directed by Aung Rakhine.[1] It is the country's first Chakma language film.[2]
| My Bicycle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mor Thengari | |
| Directed by | Aung Rakhine |
| Written by | Aung Rakhine |
| Screenplay by | Nasiful Walid |
| Produced by | Ma Nan Khing |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Shamsul Arefin |
| Music by | Arjun |
| Distributed by | Khona Talkies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 61 minutes |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Language | Chakma |
| Budget | $130,000 USD |
The Bangladesh Film Censor Board blocked the commercial release of the film, which speculators have suggested may be due to the board not speaking Chakma or due to the film showing the army in a negative light.[3][4] There were no professional actors involved in the production.[5]
On August 8, 2024, an independent film activist group organized an open screening called #CinemaDehuntis, as part of a reformist movement urging the government to abolish censorship. This initiative is a sub-movement woven into the broader July Revolution in Bangladesh against the Awami government.[6]
Plot
editAn indigenous man named Komol is fired from a job in a town and returns to his hillside native village with only a bicycle. Although his son is happy to have his father back, he has nothing to give his family except the bicycle. Komol decides to not return to the town for new jobs but tries to secure their livelihood through the cycle. He offers to ferry passengers and goods of villagers from place to place on his cycle and earn. Unfortunately one day an accident occurs, injuring an old man. Village goons threaten Komol and declare that no one can ride on that cycle. When Komol refuses to give them extortion, they destroy his bicycle.[2]
Cast
edit- Kamal Mani Chakma as Komal
- Indira Chakma as Devi
Festivals and awards
edit- Best Screenplay, Ufa Silver Akbuzat Ethnic Cinema Festival 2016, Russia
- Honorable Mention, Cine Kurumin - Int. Indigenous Film Festival 2016, Brazil
- Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2015, Estonia
- Göteborg Film Festival 2016, Sweden
- Zanzibar International Film Festival 2016, Tanzania
- 17th Asiatica Mediale Film Festival, Rome 2016
- 15th Winnipeg Aboriginal Film festival 2016
- Skabmagovat Film Festival, Finland 2016
- Kasa Asia Film Festival, Span 2016
- Phnom Pehn International Film Festival, Combodia 2016
- Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival, USA 2017
Controversy
editThe film received some international recognition after its exhibition in several international film festivals, that include Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Göteborg Film Festival and Zanzibar International Film Festival. However, it has been banned by Bangladesh Film Censor Board from screening in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Army took notice and lodged a complaint that the film showed the activities of the army in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which is a sensitive issue.[3] The film was censored due to its unfavorable portrayal of the police and armed forces in Chittagong Hill Tracts conflict.[5] Director Aung Rakhaine, alleged to the Censor Board for the violation of human rights.[7]
References
edit- ^ "My Bicycle (Mor Thengari)". londonnet.co.uk. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ a b Orko, Jawad Ahmed (April 2, 2015). "My Bicycle". The Daily Star. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ a b "Bangladesh film banned because the censors could not speak a local dialect". Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ Ibrahim, Ahmad (February 19, 2016). "How to Kill a Language". Star Weekend Magazine (Opinion). The Daily Star. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ a b "Bangladesh's Censor Board Blocks the Country's First Chakma-Language Film". 11 December 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ Arts & Entertainment Desk (2024-08-09). "Aung Rakhine's banned Chakma film 'My Bicycle' premieres". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ Pantha Rahman Reza. "Bangladesh: Censorship board blocks minority language film". Retrieved May 5, 2018.