No Ground Beneath the Feet (Bengali: পায়ের তলায় মাটি নাই, romanized: Payer Tolay Mati Nai) is a 2021 Bangladeshi drama film directed by Mohammad Rabby Mridha (in his feature directorial debut) with a screenplay by Mohammad Rabby Mridha and Nahar Mridha from a story by Fazla Rabby. Starring Mostafa Monwar, the film depicts the life of Saiful, an impoverished ambulance driver in Dhaka.[1] The film premiered at the 26th Busan International Film Festival in 'out of competition section' on 7 October 2021,[2] and competed for Golden Peacock Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in November 2021.[3]
| No Ground Beneath the Feet | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Bengali | পায়ের তলায় মাটি নাই |
| Literally | Payer Tolay Mati Nai |
| Directed by | Mohammad Rabby Mridha |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Fazla Rabby |
| Produced by | Abu Shahed Emon |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Sameer Ahmed |
| Music by | Emon Chowdhury |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Golpo Rajjo Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 mins |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Language | Bengali |
The film was submitted for nomination in the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards, by the Oscar Committee as Bangladeshi entry,[4][5] but, it didn't make it to the shortlist.[6]
Synopsis
editSaiful an improvised ambulance driver migrated to Dhaka to earn a living for his family. His lust leads him to a second marriage with a woman he slept with and who now pesters him for money. His family and his brother all want his help but he cannot return home, and as time goes on the situation worsens.
Cast
edit- Mostafa Monwar as Saiful
- Priyam Archi as Mina, first wife
- Deepanwita Martin as second wife
Release
editThe film had its premiere at the 26th Busan International Film Festival in out of competition section on 7 October 2021.[2] It competed for Golden Peacock Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in November 2021.[7] In March 2022, it was screened at the 17th Osaka Asian Film Festival on 13 March 2022.[8][9]
The film made it to Red Lotus Asian Film Festival Vienna, where it was screened in May 2022.[10] On 25 June 2022, it was screened at London Indian Film Festival in Ciné Lumière.[11]
The film was screened at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona on 4 November 2022.[12]
Reception
editPanos Kotzathanasis reviewing for Asian Movie Pulse praised direction, cinematography and performance of actors. He commended cinematography writing, "Manirul Islam and Abu Raihan’s cinematography is on a very high level." For directions, he opined, "Mohammad Rabby Mridha manages to direct a film that, despite its documentary-like realism." Praising lead actor Mostafa Monwar, he wrote, "Monwar's measured acting as Saiful, is another great performance by him. Kotzathanasis concluded, "No Ground Beneath the Feet is a great movie, a rather hopeful debut, and a testament to the progress of Bangladeshi cinema."[13]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Recipient/ Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52nd International Film Festival of India | Golden Peacock Award | No Ground Beneath the Feet | Nominated | [14] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (8 October 2021). "Busan: 'No Ground Beneath the Feet' Producer Abu Shahed Emon Reveals Extensive Slate (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ a b "'Payer Tolay Mati Nai' selected at Busan". Dhaka Tribune. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Bangladeshi film 'No Ground Beneath the Feet' selected for Goa filmfest". South Asia Monitor. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (23 September 2023). "International Oscar Race: Bangladesh Selects 'No Ground Beneath the Feet' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "This film has been chosen as Bangladesh's official Oscars submission". The Daily Star. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "96th Oscars Shortlists Announced for 10 Categories". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "15 films lined up for International Competition at 52nd IFFI in Goa". PIB GOI. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2023 – via Press release.
- ^ "Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022". Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "No Ground Beneath the Feet: Osaka Asian Film Festival". Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "No Ground Beneath the Feet". Red Lotus Asian Film Festival. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "No Ground Beneath the Feet". London Indian Film Festival. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "No Ground Beneath the Feet". Asian Film Festival Barcelona. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Kotzathanasis, Panos (13 March 2022). "Film Review: No Ground Beneath the Feet (2021) by Mohammad Rabby Mridha". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "IFFI 52 Golden Peacock Contender "No Ground Beneath the Feet" Seeks to Portray How Climate Change can Impact and Psychologically Shatter Every Human Life". PIB GOI. 27 November 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2023 – via Press release.
