Last month, Cyclone Remal caused extensive damage to coastal communities in Bangladesh. Young filmmakers Mashrukur Rahman Khan and Rifat Abrar Anik set out to Nishanbaria, Dhankhali Union to document the cyclone's impact on the villages there.
Their documentary, titled “Uthal Pathal,” offers an unfiltered look into the lives of these communities, showcasing the immense challenges they face and their struggle for survival.
On June 23, “Uthal Pathal” premiered at DrikPath Bhaban in Dhanmondi. The event gathered a diverse audience of academics, government and non-government officials, and media professionals, fostering a significant exchange of perspectives.
The event started with an opening remark from Nayoka Martinez Bäckström, First Secretary, Environment & Climate Change, and Development Cooperation Section of the Embassy of Sweden.
“Our objective with the documentary is to spotlight the critical need for locally driven solutions to combat the escalating environmental crises fueled by climate change. The goal of the event was to bring together stakeholders to discuss what can be done further,” shared Producer Rifat Abrar Anik. “While we can measure the economic impact, addressing the intangible consequences is a different challenge.”
"Shooting during a cyclone was technically challenging, but it was even harder to see the lives of people we bonded with change completely within hours. Every moment in the village, I feared for the locals facing the storm and for my team's safety," shared Mashrukur Rahman Khan on the challenges of documenting.
