The Clay Bird Dvd

Matir Moina (Bengali: মাটির ময়না; also known in English as The Clay Bird) is a 2002 Bengali War-drama film. It is written and directed by Tareque Masud. This is the first feature film directed by Tareque. Based on Tareque’s story the screenplay was co-written by Tareque and Catherine Masud. In the film, Tareque’s childhood experience is revealed against the backdrop of 1969 Mass uprising in East Pakistan on the eve of Bangladesh Liberation War. The film stars Nurul Islam Bablu, Russell Farazi, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Rokeya Prachy, Soaeb Islam and Lameesa R. Reemjheem in the lead role.

The film deals with its historical references during the independence of Bangladesh. It portrays the experiences of a young protagonist, his family, his teachers and his life at the madrasah. Production began with initial funding from the French government. The film was officially screened on 15 May 2002 at the 55th Cannes Film Festival. Produced by Catherine Masud, the film grossed about US$48,752 at the box office after its release.

The film was initially banned in Bangladesh. After the expulsion order was revoked, VCD and DVD version of the film were released on 17 April 2005 by Laser Vision. In 2002, as the first Bangladeshi film, it won the FIPRESCI Prize in section Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2004, the film won the National Film Awards for Best Child Artist and Best Screenplay. The film also won various domestic and international awards, including awards in five categories at the 24th Bachsas Awards. It was the first Bangladeshi film to be nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 75th Academy Awards in 2002.

Plot

The film is set in the late 1960s, during the unrest period in East Pakistan leading up to the Bangladesh War of Liberation. The story of a small village family which come to grips with their culture, faith, tradition, and the brutal political changes. The autobiographical film, set against the backdrop of the director’s childhood, is based on the life story which pictured by a teenage character named Anu (Nurul Islam Bablu). He lives with his fundamentalist-Muslim father, Kazi (Jayanta Chattopadhyay), who practices homoeopathic medicines. His mother, Ayesha (Rokeya Prachy) was once a spirited girl, but after her marriage, she becomes sullen in subservience to her fundamentalist husband. Anu has a little sister named Asma. Kazi’s younger brother Milon is involved in local politics who protesting against Pakistan’s military rule. Milon also follows the Left-wing politics. Despite Kazi’s dislike, Milon took Anu to see Hindu festivals and Canoe sprint. The film depicts the culture of secular Bengal, such as folk-songs, Puthi recitation, Chaitra Sankranti or Charak Puja, embroidery, rural fairs, Bahas etc.

Finally, Kazi sent Anu to a Madrasa (Islamic school) because of his religious beliefs. At the Madrasa, Anu met and befriended Rokon (Russell Farazi), an outcast student, who invites him to play catch with an imaginary ball. Rokon’s role is different than other students. After all, Anu tried to adjust to life away from home. Suddenly his younger sister Asma falls ill and dies because of Kazi’s refusal to use modern medicines. On the other hands, at the Madrasa Rokon suffer an eccentric misfit and forced by the headmaster to undergo an exorcism by ducking in the freezing pond to cure himself of [[Jinn].

As the political upheaval reached a critical stage, internal crises began to occur in Anu’s family. As political divisions intensified, moderate and extremist ideologies developed in Anu’s Madrasa and growing divisions arose. The same picture of division is seen in Anu’s family and her independent mother Ayesha. Kazi, who still believes in the religious unity of Pakistan, in the face of cruel, contradictory events. A shattering political development then changes their town, their life, and the inner dynamics of the family, including the patriarch’s role. The film, which focuses on religious liberalism, cultural diversity and the incomprehensibility of Islam, has universal relevance in a troubled world.

Cast

Nurul Islam Bablu as Anu
Russell Farazi as Rokon, Anu’s friend
Jayanta Chattopadhyay as Kazi, Anu’s father
Rokeya Prachy as Ayesha Bibi, Anu’s mother
Masud Ali Khan as Khan Bahadur
Soaeb Islam as Milon, Anu’s uncle
Lameesa R. Reemjheem as Asma, Anu’s sister
Moyeen Ahmed as Ibrahim, Madrasa teacher
Md. Moslemuddin as Madrasa headmaster
Abdul Karim as Halim Mia
Shah Alom Dewan as Sufi boatman
Golam Mahmud as Shaheen
Pradip Mittra Mithun as Uttam
Auyon Chowdhury as Anu’s 3rd Friend
Amena Khatun as Taser’s Mother
Manjila Begum as a female singer
Aynal Mia as Male Singer- Day Concert
Nasima Aktar as Female Singer- Day Concert
Abdul Malek as Night Concert Accompanist
Gurudhan as Night Concert Accompanist
Nuru Mia Chisty as Night Concert Accompanist
Shafique as Day Concert Accompanist
Majibur Rahman as Day Concert Accompanist
Iman Ali Sarkar as Day Concert Accompanist
Abdul Kadir as Day Concert Accompanist
Ibrahim Boyati as Ferry Boat Singer
Momtaz as a female folk singer
Mamunr Rahman (Sojib Khan)