The Clay (2016)
| The Clay | |
|---|---|
| File:The Clay Poster.png Official poster of The Clay | |
| Directed by | M. H. M. Mubassir |
| Produced by | Ali Zulfikar Zahedi |
| Starring | Maksuda Trisha Sharmin Shimu Shamim Hasan Sarkar Omar Faruk Ahmed Ripon |
Running time | Short film |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Language | Bengali |
Search The Clay (2016) on Amazon.The Clay (In Bengali:কাদামাটি) is a Bangladeshi short film directed by M. H. M. Mubassir and produced by Ali Zulfikar Zahedi. The film stars Maksuda Trisha, Sharmin Shimu, Shamim Hasan Sarkar, Omar Faruk, and Ahmed Ripon. The film addresses cultural transformation and social change in contemporary Bengali society.
Plot
The Clay portrays the gradual erosion of traditional Bengali cultural practices under the influence of time, environment, and modern media. In earlier generations, people would wait for the evening to experience music and sounds rooted in the soil, which carried emotional and cultural significance.
The narrative contrasts this past with present-day realities, where constant exposure to foreign media and fast-paced lifestyles has reduced space for reflection and traditional expression. The metaphor of fertile clay being replaced by burnt soil reflects the film’s central theme of cultural displacement and transformation.
Production
The Clay was developed as an independent short film. Director M. H. M. Mubassir conceived the project as a reflection on cultural memory, identity, and the impact of modern life on traditional Bengali values. In a 2018 feature published by Prothom Alo, the director discussed his motivation to create cinema rooted in social reality and personal observation, emphasizing simplicity, symbolism, and cultural consciousness in filmmaking.[1]
Cast
- Maksuda Trisha
- Sharmin Shimu
- Shamim Hasan Sarkar
- Omar Faruk
- Ahmed Ripon
Release and screenings
Following its completion in 2018, The Clay was screened at numerous national and international film festivals. According to media reports, the film was showcased in festivals across Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America, contributing to its international exposure.[2]
Reception
The Clay received coverage from major Bangladeshi newspapers, television channels, and online media platforms. Bangladesh Pratidin reported in November 2018 that the film received recognition at international festivals and was noted for its thematic presentation.[3]
In December 2018, NTV Online reported that the film earned awards at international showcases, highlighting its reception among global audiences.[4]
Channel i Online and Sarabangla also covered the film’s award achievements and international presence, further establishing its recognition within Bangladeshi media.[5][6]
In 2020, The Dhaka Times reported on the film’s availability on YouTube, referring to it as an award-winning short film that continued to reach wider audiences online.[7]
Classification
The Clay is classified as a Bangladeshi independent short film within the drama genre. Thematically, it aligns with social realism and art-house cinema, focusing on cultural identity, modernization, and societal change.
See also
- Cinema of Bangladesh
- Bangladeshi short films
References
- ↑ "ছবির জন্য স্বপ্ন". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2018.
- ↑ "দেশ-বিদেশের উৎসবে 'দ্য ক্লে'". RisingBD (in Bengali). 4 November 2018.
- ↑ "পুরস্কারপ্রাপ্ত স্বল্পদৈর্ঘ্য চলচ্চিত্র 'দ্য ক্লে'". Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 11 November 2018.
- ↑ "মালয়েশিয়ায় আন্তর্জাতিক ব্র্যান্ডিং শোকেসে বাংলাদেশি শিক্ষার্থী অ্যাওয়ার্ড পেলেন". NTV Online (in Bengali). 2018.
- ↑ "মুক্তি পেল পুরস্কারপ্রাপ্ত স্বল্পদৈর্ঘ্য চলচ্চিত্র". Channel i Online (in Bengali). 2018.
- ↑ "আন্তর্জাতিক উৎসবে 'দ্য ক্লে'". Sarabangla (in Bengali). 2018.
- ↑ "The award-winning film The Clay on YouTube". The Dhaka Times. 5 May 2020.
