Bangladeshi cinema is making strides internationally, with the film ‘Priyo Maloti’, starring Mehazabien Chowdhury, set to premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). The film, known as *Whispers of a Thirsty River* in English, has been officially selected for the World Cinema category in the festival’s 45th edition, running from November 13 to 22 at Cairo's iconic Opera House.
Directed by Shankha Das Gupta, ‘Priyo Maloti’ will showcase Bangladeshi storytelling on an international stage. This is Gupta's debut feature film, with a screenplay written by both him and Abu Sayeed Rana. Speaking on this achievement, Gupta expressed his excitement, saying, "Being selected for Africa’s biggest festival is a great honor. We started filming in mid-2023, and it’s thrilling to finally bring our work to an international audience."
The story of ‘Priyo Maloti’ revolves around simple, everyday experiences, blending these with a unique political perspective. Gupta hopes this approach will resonate with viewers worldwide, as he aims to show how art and politics intertwine. Mehazabien Chowdhury, who plays the main role of Maloti, shared her excitement, mentioning that although festivals aren’t always the primary focus during filming, having the movie selected internationally feels incredibly rewarding. She looks forward to audiences abroad experiencing the film’s unique storyline and believes that Bangladeshi viewers will also deeply connect with it.
The film’s cast includes Nader Chowdhury, Azad Abul Kalam, Shahjahan Samrat, and Rizvi Riju in key supporting roles. ‘Priyo Maloti’ will have four screenings at CIFF, including two public shows, a press screening, and one for the festival jury, each followed by a Q&A session. Although the release date for Bangladesh is still unconfirmed, joint producers Frame Per Second and Chorki are hopeful about a local screening soon.
