GARRIWALA – THE CART
Directed by: Ashraf Shishir
Run time: 76min
Language: Bangla (with English subtitles)
Country: Bangladesh
Year: 2015
Synopsis
‘Gaariwala’ is the story of the indomitable dream of two young brothers, Habil and Kabil, and their cart that has never been defeated. Their mother works at a rice mill despite severe illness, while father is a rickshaw-puller, who has been missing for 2 years. They wander about the village whole day and even with their mother’s disagreement, race ‘bearing cars’ at the field; but they do not own such car. One day, they sell Water Lily to buy old bearings, make their own cart and win the race. They start to sell Water Lily in the city regularly and Habil discovers their father with his new family. One stormy night, they find their mother half-dead and rush her to the hospital in the forbidden car. Fearing their increased suffering, Habil keeps father’s reality a secret.
DIRECTOR’S BIO
Md Ashraful Alam, whose penname/nickname is Ashraf Shishir, is a an Independent Motion Pictures and Film Professional, Script Writer, Poet, Story Writer, Human Rights Activists from Bangladesh. Educated in IT and law, he is the pioneer of the AECB film movement, a platform for the filmmakers to establish alternative show-case for better cinema with more than 20,000 members. His latest work includes The Cart [GAARIWALA] 2014 (Script and direction, Recipient of prestigious Grant from the Govt. of Bangladesh and selected in more than 37 International Film Festival in 16 Countries and won 8 Best Awards from India, Chile, Italy and USA), The Cage Bird, 2012 (Director, documentary nominated in more than 7 International Film Festival in 7 countries and Winner in USA). Published four books. Education: Masters in International Human Rights Law.
DURGA
Directed by: Vivek Kajaria
Run time: 14mins
Language : Hindi (with English subtitles)
Country : India
Year : 2015
Synopsis
Durga’ is a story of Bhola (an old artist who paints the eyes of the idols of Goddess Durga) and a 7 year old girl named Durga, Bhola’s grand-daughter. Bhola had devoted his entire life in bringing life to these idols by beautifully painting their eyes. Bhola, a true believer of the goddess, always wanted a girl child in his family, a manifestation of Goddess herself. After generations of male off springs, his daughter-in-law gave birth to a girl child, but as fate would have it, she was born blind. Bhola lived his life in this irony; an artist known to give eyes to lifeless idols could not do anything about the blindness of his precious granddaughter. To make up for it, he mustered hard not to let little Durga feel any less about herself. With Durga’s father having abandoned her at birth, Bhola takes it upon himself to be little Durga’s eyes. In the end, Bhola makes a life-altering choice and justifies his very existence and purpose in life not only towards his grand-daughter but also his gifted skill as an artist.
DIRECTOR’S BIO
Vivek Kajaria finished his education from Warwick University UK in M.Sc in Computer Science and Applications. Prior to this, he already held an MBA. Later, he joined his family business of construction and development to polish himself as a skillful entrepreneur and then went after his longtime dream to be associated with the creative and media industry by finding his very own brand, Holy Basil productions. His belief in his leadership skills has contributed a perfect combination of energy, determination, dedication and enthusiasm to Holy Basil to achieve the zenith it currently stands on.