Maksud-Mehazabien’s feature film debut to premiere at TIFF
Maksud-Mehazabien’s feature film debut to premiere at TIFF. Before “Saba,” Rubaiyat Hossain’s “Shimu: Made in Bangladesh” premiered at TIFF in 2019
Bangladeshi film “Saba” will have its world premiere in the Discovery Programme at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 (TIFF). It is student Oscars winning director Maksud Hossain’s first feature film and small screen sweetheart Mehazabien Chowdhury’s silver screen debut.
Maksud has been making films for 21 years. He directed 15 short films, and over 200 commercials so far. He calls “Saba” a “labour of love.” Mehazabien, on the other hand, have been one of the most sought-after actresses Mehazabien on TV and OTT for the last 14 years.
The story of the film takes place in Bangladesh where 25-year-old Saba stays with her demanding mother, Shirin. The duo has been grappling with financial hardships for over a decade, and Saba has devoted her life to making ends meet for both. She is trapped in an unrelenting cycle, yet Shirin’s expectations of her continue to escalate. It is only when she encounters Ankur, her new manager, that it becomes apparent that she has neglected her own needs. As she grows closer to Ankur, Saba faces the dilemma of perpetuating the cycle or prioritizing herself. The film’s unique selling point is the mother-daughter relationship, the performances, especially that of Mehazabien.
According to the TIFF website, “In his deeply emotional directorial debut, Bangladeshi filmmaker Maksud Hossain refracts end-of-life care through two completely opposite views held within a fraught mother–daughter relationship.”
Although it is a work of fiction, co-writer, Trilora Khan, has been a caregiver to her mother for nearly 25 years. The script drew some inspiration from that, Maksud said.
Some of the previous winners in the Discovery programme include Alfonso Cuaron, Christopher Nolan etc. This year, Farhan Akhtar backed Monipur film “Boong” will also premiere at TIFF. Some of the global celebrities premiering their films at TIFF this year include Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Pamela Anderson and so on.
Before “Saba,” Rubaiyat Hossain’s “Shimu: Made in Bangladesh” premiered at TIFF in 2019.
The official poster of “Saba” was released on February 21, on the occasion of International Mother Language Day. The film also features Rokeya Prachi and Mostafa Monwar.
TIFF is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It’s 49th edition is slated to be held from September 5-15. The schedules will be announced on August 13.