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Artificial Eye, BreakThru Films and Aimimage presents THE LAST THAKUR in association with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) -an intense contemporary Bengali ‘Western’ set in a remote village in the marshlands of Bangladesh. The film follows a story of crime, passion, jealousy and violence. The film is holding a special screening at the Curzon Renoir Cinema (Russell Square) on June 21st at 3pm followed by a Q and A with the award-winning British Bangladeshi Director/Cinematographer Sadik Ahmed. The film will begin its UK theatrical release at the Genesis Cinema, Mile End and at the Ciné Lumière, South Kensington on June 26th.
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The film is a modern-day ‘Western’ set in a remote village in interior Bangladesh and is set against a long-lasting feud between a populist Muslim ‘Chairman’ and the long established Hindu Landlord “Thakur”. The film follows Kala, the illegitimate son who is on a personal quest to find his father and reclaim his birthright, in a story that tackles taboos subjects such as communal conflict, the genocide and war rapes of 1971.
“The Last Thakur” features breath-taking locations from an unseen and unknown part of the world. The film also features performances from some of Bangladesh’s most renowned film and television actors including Tariq Anam (Thakur), Ahmed Rubel (Chairman), Tanveer Hassan (Kala), Anisur Rahman Milon (Tanju), Jayanto Chattopadyahay (Mustafa) with specially composed music by Kishon Khan ( Lokhi Terra).
Amongst the backdrop of a busy marketplace reminiscent of the ghost towns of the Wild West, a mysterious young man named Kala arrives on Independence Day in the village of Doulathpur. The fields are filled with water buffalo, monkeys and crows with the foreground populated by local villagers, market stall holders, and street orphans. The film is told to us from a child’s point of view, the orphan tea boy Waris (played by Tanju Miah, the real life subject of Sadik’s previous short film). The seductive and ruthless Chairman purports to represent and defend his people; yet one man stands in his way - Thakur, the local Hindu landlord, who has been reclaiming all land on which loans have been unpaid, to build his lasting monument.
Kala arrives into Doulathpur, in search of his father. He is distressed, hungry and arrives without any money. Kala and his gun becomes the coveted asset to both the Chairman and Thakur. He negotiates the protection of the Thakur in return for cash for which he buys food. Kala’s mission is to gain information on the man who raped his mother so that he can seize his opportunity to take his revenge.
The Filmmaker – Sadik Ahmed
Whilst driving cabs, Sadik realised his real passion lay in wanting to make films. Through his hard work and considerable talent, he pursued his dreams and completed a MA in Cinematography at the world famous National Film & Television School under the tutorage of Brian Tufano (he had previously completed a painting degree at the Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design). As a Cinematographer, he has worked in features, music videos, commercials and short films. Previously he was the recipient of Best Cinematography for the Kodak Student Commercial Awards 2006, a Royal Television Society Student (2006), short-listed for the Satyajit Ray Awards, and the Film Four MyMovieMashup.
“The Last Thakur” premiered to sold out screening at the London Film Festival and the Dubai International Film Festival 2008. The film is in Official competition at the Granada and Munich Film Festivals. Sadik’s previous short film Tanju Miah which was in official selection to the Toronto, Sundance and Amsterdam Film Festivals brought him to the attention of Artificial Eye. His short was screened for 2 months at the Curzon Cinemas in 2007.
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