Despite being billed as a drama, this light comedy mixes potent messages of self with the unusual tale of a village in want of a television.
Director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki penned this refreshingly quirky 2012 film from Bangladesh with Anisul Haque.
Set in a remote, water-locked village ruled by Chairman Amin (Shahir Kazi Huda), the tide of change evermore threatens his traditional ways. Amin has banned both still and moving images from the village on religious grounds, claiming they lead into ‘prohibited territory’.
On the heels of a ruse to convince Amin to allow mobile phones for young people, a local tutor, Kumar (Mukit Zakaria), revolts by purchasing a television, citing different religious beliefs to the Chairman. His services are suddenly the most popular in town as the villagers find reasons and means to watch the set.
Amin’s life is further upset by the romance between his son Solaiman (Chanchal Chowdhury) and local girl Kohinoor (Nusrat Imrose Tisha) who has demanded Solaiman stand up to his father or call off their own relationship. As things go more and more awry, Amin decides on a Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca only to discover he must first have a passport photo taken, and then travel by plane.
Filled with eccentric characters seeking a better life in one way or another, the seemingly simplistic and amusing plot underscores a touching examination of acceptance and fear as both Amin and his son struggle and fail to embrace what scares them most, even when it offers them salvation. The closing moments of the film deliver a profoundly emotive awakening that is made sadder by the realisation of what their future holds for them.
Farooki keeps a steady pace throughout the film, using occasional hand held cameras to mix up the cinematography. Combined, the pace and camera work give Television a feeling somewhere between a slice of life peek into, and a documentary about the lives of the villagers.
The cast are all delightful, bringing the eccentricities of their characters to life in naturalistic performances that never cross into pantomime despite the melodrama that sometimes ensues.
Television is a refreshing tale, particularly for Australian audiences, which is sure to amuse and remain in mind well after the closing titles.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 7
OzAsia on Screen – Television
When: 14 September at 5.30pm & 20 September at 6.30pm
Where: Mercury Cinema, Lion Arts Centre, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide
Tickets: $13 – $17
Bookings: Book online through the OzAsia Festival website or phone BASS on 131 246
OzAsia on Screen runs exclusively at the Mercury Cinema from 3-20 September 2014 as part of the broader OzAsia Festival.
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