‘Shimu – Made in Bangladesh’ to hit cinemas on March 11

‘Shimu - Made in Bangladesh’ directed by Rubaiyat Hossain is set to release locally in theatres on March 11 marking International Women’s Day.

The official Facebook page of the film has written, “‘Shimu’ is coming to theatres near you on March 11!”.

In the light of the role of the garment industry in empowering women and achieving self-reliance in Bangladesh, the story of the struggle and success of determined women garment workers has been narrated in the film ‘Shimu’.

Apart from Rubaiyat Hossain, most of its main crew were women. Notable among them are Sabin Lanchelin in filming, Elisha Albert in the soundtrack and Jonaki Bhattacharya in art direction.

‘Shimu’s work began with the participation in the Open Doors Lab at the Locarno Film Festival in 2017. Rubaiyat Hossain won the Art International Award for the screenplay of the film.

The film has previously been invited to compete in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 78th Golden Globe Awards.

After the world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, ‘Shimu’ was screened at the 63rd BFI London Film Festival. The film has also been acclaimed and awarded at various international film festivals.

Rikita Nandini Shimu won the Best Actress award at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Film Festival in France. At the Torino Film Festival in Italy, she won the Interfade Award, and at the Amiens International Film Festival in France, the film has won three awards, including the Best Audience Award and the Jury Award.

The film, co-produced by François d’Artemare (Les Films De L’apres-Midi) and Ashique Mostafa (Khona Talkies), is about a housemaid who becomes a factory worker and forms a union to fight for her rights.

The film stars Rikita Nandini Shimu, Novera Hossain, Dipanbita Martin, Parveen Paru, Mayabi Maya, Mostafa Monwar, Shatabdi Wadud, Jayraj, Momena Chowdhury, Wahida Mallick Jolly and Samina Lutfa in different roles.

Mita Chowdhury and Shahana Goswami from India have acted in two guest roles in the films.