The Bangladeshi short film "Latika" has been officially selected to compete at the prestigious Moscow International Documentary Film Festival, one of the major film festivals in Russia. The festival is renowned for showcasing significant documentary films from around the world.
Samsul Islam Shopon, the director and producer of "Latika," confirmed the news to Bangla Tribune. The film's inclusion in the festival was also announced on the festival's official website. "Latika" is scheduled to be featured on the evening of September 8.
"Latika" portrays the heartfelt story of a determined woman named Latika and her family, who are members of the traditional Malo community living along the Chitra River in Narail district, Bangladesh. Latika's husband, Shyam Biswas, is a fisherman who relies on otters to help with his fishing activities. The film provides a close look at the daily lives and struggles of Latika’s family, including their interactions with their two children and three pairs of otters.
The Moscow International Documentary Film Festival will take place from September 5 to 15. It will present films from a diverse range of countries, such as Brazil, Chile, China, France, Georgia, Iran, Italy, Kurdistan, Moldova, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, Spain, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. This broad international participation underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing global perspectives through documentary filmmaking.
In addition to the Moscow festival, "Latika" has earned notable recognition at several other film events this year. It is set to be featured at the 55th Visions du Réel International Film Festival’s film market in Switzerland. The film has also been shown at the 23rd WOW-Wales One World Film Festival in England, the London DV Film Festival, and the Chittagong International Documentary Film Festival. This growing list of international screenings highlights "Latika's" increasing global acclaim and its powerful storytelling.
