Bangladeshi silent film ‘Nirvana’ wins another prestigious award

Bangladeshi film “Nirvana” has once again won international acclaim, this time securing a Jury Prize at the Gange Sur Seine International Film Festival in France. This comes on the heels of its previous success at the Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF), where it won the Special Jury Prize.

Director Asif Islam, visibly moved, shared the news. “Winning another Jury Prize in Paris is a joy for our entire team. Seeing ‘Nirvana’ captivate juries around the world is an incredible experience and a proud moment for us, Bangladeshi filmmakers,” he said.

Asif also expressed optimism about the growing global recognition of Bangladeshi films. “Bangladesh cinema is gaining respect on the world stage and it is time we create a more supportive environment for filmmakers. I am confident that Bangladesh will soon become known for producing meaningful films.”

“Nirvana” is a unique silent film that tells its story without dialogue. Set against the backdrop of a factory, it portrays the silent struggles of three workers. The film features Priyam Archi, Fatema Tuz Zohra and Imran Mahathir in the lead roles, with each actor bringing a deeply emotional inner journey to the screen.

“The absence of dialogue forces viewers to focus on the characters’ unspoken emotions and struggles,” explained Priyam Archi during the Moscow Film Festival. She described the film as a “meditative experience,” drawing viewers into the rhythm of the workers’ lives and their internal conflicts. The film explores themes of grief, loss and self-discovery, without ever uttering a single word.

“Nirvana” was born from an unlikely source of inspiration – a transformer factory owned by a family friend of Asif. Initially, noise levels in the factory made it difficult to record the audio, leading Asif to the bold decision to make the film completely silent. What began as a creative limitation turned into an artistic triumph.

“Bangladesh films often feature bright images and loud music,” Asif said. “But ‘Nirvana’ takes a different approach, one that focuses on the internal rather than the external.”

Shot in black and white due to budget constraints, “Nirvana” relies on its simplicity to enhance its message. The film’s minimalist style, complemented by sound designer Sukanta Majumder and composer Ben Roberts’ ambient soundscape, creates an immersive and thought-provoking experience for viewers.

Despite its international success, Asif remains cautious about Nirvana’s prospects for a commercial release in Bangladesh. The film touches on sensitive topics, including LGBTQ themes, which could face scrutiny from the country’s censor board.

As “Nirvana” continues its festival run with screenings in Morocco, Spain, London and India, its journey reflects the growing potential of Bangladeshi cinema. With its innovative storytelling and refusal to conform to conventional norms, “Nirvana” is setting a new standard for films from the region.

As Asif says, “‘Nirvana’ proves that big films don’t need big budgets – just a strong vision and a good story.”