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Nona Pani (Bengali: নোনা পানি; also known in English as Barren Waters) is a 2023 Bengali drama film was written and directed by Syeda Neegar Banu and produced by Bengal Creations Associates, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was her debut feature film. Based on Syeda’s two short stories, which was published in a literature little magazine early 2003, the screenplay was written by her. The fieldwork experience of Syeda Neegar Banu in a rural coastal area in Khulna, the southern part of Bangladesh, is the backdrop of the film. The film starts Bilkis Banu Jaba, Kazi Rakibul Haque Ripon, Jayita Mahalanobish, Md. Hridoy, Rubol Lody, Jayanta Chattopadhyay. It is considered as one of the best original Bangladeshi films of 2023.

The film deals with some marginal characters who are affected by the impact of climate change such as Cyclone Aila, the trauma of internal migration and dislocation, change of profession, silent cries for self-identity, and the film tells the story of those rural but universal characters. They have a life to live but no command of their own destiny.

The Project began in 2013 with the award of funding from Bengal Creations Associates, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The film officially premiered on 03 February 2023 at Zella Shilpakala Academy Auditorium, Khulna. This is the first-time in the history of Bangladesh film, any feature film’s premier show was held in Khulna, out of Dhaka, the capital.

After censoring the film the producer company didn't arrange any hall release yet. A small initiative was taken by the director of the film.

Parallel Cine Movement (PCM), Khulna arranging alternative screenings of the film in cities & villages in Bangladesh. Apart from that, the film is traveling from festival to festival both home and abroad.

Nona Pani is a story of people who do not have a tale worth telling—at least by themselves.

Romba, Doshpai and Krishna represents life in a small village of Botkhali, near the Sundarbans, Southwestern Bangladesh.

Synopsis

‘Nona Pani- Barren Waters’ is a story of people who do not have a tale worth telling—at least by themselves. Affected by the impact of climate change such as Cyclone Aila, the trauma of internal migration and dislocation, change of profession, silent cries for self-identity, and the film tells the story of some rural but universal characters. They have a life to live but no command of their own destiny.

Romba, Doshpai and Krishna represents life in a small village of Botkhali, near the Sundarbans, Southwestern Bangladesh.

Romba, 28, a victim of Aila, cyclonic outburst of climate change in the country, migrated to Botkhali like many others in hopes of a better livelihood but Botkhali proved to be as barren as the land she left behind. The emergence of shrimp culture had separated them from their traditional agro-based livelihoods. Water and land is so saline that no crops can be grown there. Collection of shrimp eggs from river Vadra has become their only mean to survive. They also have to do it at night bearing all sorts of risks. Romba is traumatized by the loss of her neighbor’s seven month old daughter to a wild cat while at work and the low prospects of a future in the village means she needs to find something for her son, Sohag, who is 8 but growing fast. She has developed a physical relationship with a boatman who seasonally visits Botkhali in hopes that someday the boatman will appoint her son as an assistant to him.

Doshpai, 40, is believed to be the biological son of the Head of a local Hindu temple. However, many people think that Doshpai does not qualify as a ‘son’ because he is a eunuch. Doshpai is a mysterious character who lives in an abandoned room next to the temple but does not have any access to the temple. His only window to the external world is a radio. His dancing skills are unknown to all and sundry. His connection with villagers, particularly with women is through his expertise in piercing ear and nose.

Krishna, 25, is a junior artist in a troupe of Jatra-- traditional rural theatre form in Bangladesh. She has got a melodious voice but an unattractive body with small breasts. This has become a barrier for her to be the lead actress in her troupe. She has to face lot of humiliation regularly from the audience and from her co-actors as well. In order to take the center stage she uses push up bra to feel attractive but this artificial arrangement cannot help her for long.

All three protagonists are intertwined with each other through the village, loneliness, desperation and their fight for their right. They want an identity; a future in the village but the lack of support renders them unable to challenge authority.

The narrative is non-linear in structure. Like netting the eggs of shrimps from the river, the film also collates numbers of fractions of their lives. The film tries to collect inner and external split of the personality of the protagonists without drawing any conclusion. The performance of Jatra in the film gives the film a ‘film within a film’ characteristic. But life is not a Jatra (theatre), the film shows us - it is more than that.

About Director:

Syeda Neegar Banu (15 May 1974) is a female independent filmmaker in Bangladesh who has more than 20 years of experience both in film and TV media. Her debut feature film titled `Nona Pani (Barren Waters)’ was premiered in 2023 in her hometown Khulna.

She completed her master’s degree in film studies and video production from United Kingdom (UK). Currently, she is based in Khulna, the southernmost coastal city of Bangladesh. She works with the  local people who have experienced various hardships due to the changing climate.

Since 2014 Syeda is the founding Director of Parallel Cine Movement (PCM), the first organization in Khulna that promotes Gono (People’s) Cinema - a concept of community-based filmmaking.

T he way she works.

Syeda is one of the most promising and talented independent film makers in Bangladesh, who has a unique vision and style that reflects her personal and professional experiences. She is also a passionate activist and educator, who uses her films as a medium to inspire and empower others particularly women and juveniles.

Early Life:

Since childhood, she has been driven by a strong desire to protect the vulnerable. As her community faced the challenges brought by natural disasters, she felt compelled to convey our hardships through storytelling. While exploring various art forms, including theatre, poetry and photography, she discovered the immense power of films in combining these expressive mediums.

From a young age, she nurtured an unwavering aspiration to share stories that deeply resonated with people. Yet, in the conservative society of coastal Bangladesh, pursuing her dreams posed significant obstacles not only for her but also for those around her. Nevertheless, an inner fire burned within her, urging her to confront a pressing question: How can we illuminate the often neglected narratives of marginalized communities and empower them to reclaim their own stories?

She decided to show this richness by telling the stories of the communities that did not fit into the single narrative of her country. One by one, the heroes of her films became devices of hope for their communities. The diverse communities embraced me, allowing her to tell their stories to the world.

 A bit more about Syeda 

Syeda Neegar Banu was born in Khulna, the third-largest city in Bangladesh. She developed a passion for filmmaking at an early age and participated in various film festivals and workshops at home and abroad. She won several awards for her short films and documentaries that focused on social issues and human rights.

She started her media career in Channel-I (a renowned private TV Channel in Bangladesh) In 2004. Then she explored and strengthened her career working in various media organizations as Program Producer.

She pursued her higher study in film education from the University of West London in UK, where she graduated in 2011. She returned to Bangladesh and started working as an independent filmmaker, producing films that explore the diverse and complex realities of her country.

She moved to Khulna in 2013, where she has been working on a series of films that document the lives and struggles of costal people who are affected by climate change. She has been collaborating with local communities and organizations to raise awareness and advocate for solutions to the environmental and social problems that they face. Since 2014 Syeda is the founding Director of Parallel Cine Movement (PCM), the first organization in Khulna that promotes Gono (People’s) Cinema - a concept of community-based filmmaking. She regularly organizes workshops and lectures on film for different age groups. She mentors more than 25 young filmmakers and working closely with them.

Poster of NONA PANI

Bengali:  নোনা পানি

English Title: Barren Waters

Directed by Syeda Neegar Banu

Written by Syeda Neegar Banu

Screenplay by Syeda Neegar Banu

Story by Syeda Neegar Banu

Produced by Bengal Creations Associates, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Producer Abul Khair

Co-Producer Luva Nahid Chowdhury

Associate Producers MD Ataur Rahman

Suvojit Roy

Starring Bilkis Banu Jaba

Kazi Rakibul Haque Ripon

Jayita Mahalanobish

Md. Hridoy

Rubol Lody

Jayanta Chattopadhyay

Cinematography Nehal Quaraisy

Edited by Iqbal Kabir Jewel

Music by Syed Shabab Ali Arzoo

Art Director Shihab Nurun Nabi

Casting Director Raquiba Khan Luba

Production Manager Abu Zafar Apu

Costume Chowdhury Nowrin Ferdous

Make Up Forhad Reza Milon

Premier date 03 February 2023 (Khulna, Bangladesh)

Running time 02 hours, 05 minutes, 49 seconds

Country Bangladesh

Language Bengali

Budget 74,340 USD

References:

https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/dhallywood/vqthuvdfeo?fbclid=IwAR1D85NbVM9G5Jj4wdrq73JKRL5YVud5AvWGcbXIb2sv-b-dA8NR1nAfDIE

https://www.next.blue/film-conveys-villagers-resilience-to-climate-change-conservatism/?fbclid=IwAR2siQ72sSHtQI0na5-QMmstym53zYSXTrCK8wKGoKc8sB0-RtXdZPEwYfM

https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/dhallywood/u7l118tuif?fbclid=IwAR26sdrigMp7sBhCpAwwd1ctay2xE-zyaYJhHOTXk47H1kVA00AQRRZO3jk

https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/three-bangladeshi-films-screen-world-film-festival-kolkata-3399431?fbclid=IwAR0681iQumnnk_ly5kfzMt5K9I7xGdyhV9EzPjWcnK14xaVJRFI1AF2W8v0