Amitabh Reza Chowdhury's acclaimed film "Rickshaw Girl" continues to captivate audiences worldwide, reaching new heights with its successful screening at the esteemed Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan.
The film made its debut at Osaka's Cine Libre Umeda Hall to a packed audience of over 300 on the festival's opening day, March 1.
Running from March 1 to March 10, the festival showcases premier films from across the Asian continent at renowned venues such as ABC Hall, Cine Libre Umeda, T-Joy Umeda, and the Nakanoshima Museum of Art.
Director Amitabh Reza Chowdhury expressed his delight at the enthusiastic reception, stating, "We have successfully concluded the first-day screening of our film at the festival. I have never seen such diligent and respectful audiences in my life. Over 300 audience members enjoyed the film in silence, holding their claps and cheering till the end credits concluded."
Chowdhury further praised the Japanese audience, remarking on their rich artistic and cultural appreciation, likening them to filmmaking legends Yasujirō Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi in a Facebook post.
"Rickshaw Girl" is scheduled for another screening on the festival's closing day, March 10. Notably, 22 Japanese students dedicated their efforts to provide Japanese subtitles for the film, ensuring local audiences could fully engage with the storyline.
The movie, adapted from the novel by Indian-American author Mitali Perkins, follows the journey of Naima, who defies societal norms by aspiring to become a rickshaw driver like her father in Bangladesh. Despite facing opposition due to the profession's gender stereotypes, Naima's resilience shines as she navigates the challenges of poverty-stricken families.
With a screenplay penned by Naseef Faruque Amin and Sharbari Zohra Ahmed, "Rickshaw Girl" has garnered acclaim on the global stage, earning accolades at prestigious events such as the Prescott Film Festival in the United States and the SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival in Germany.
The film's production is a collaborative effort between Bangladesh and the US, led by producers Ziauddin Adil, Faridur Reza Sagor, and Eric J Adams.
