‘Master’ wins best film award in Italy before release at home

The Bangladeshi film ‘Master’ keeps winning success on the international stage. Directed by Mr. Rezwan Shahriar Sumit, the film has won the best film award at the 22nd Lucca Film Festival in Italy. The director himself shared the good news on social media on Sunday, October 4. The film has not yet been released in Bangladesh.

After winning the award, Mr. Sumit expressed his joy. He said the news from Tuscany brings special happiness for the whole team. In his view, this recognition at an international festival again shows how universal and relevant the story of ‘Master’ is. The film beat several strong films in the competition section, and the jury board chose it as the best.

The jury board of the Lucca festival said ‘Master’ tells a local story but shows a crisis of representative democracy in the world today. The film follows a teacher with strong ideals. It shows his duty to social justice and his clash with a political system built on personal interest. It also shows a bitter side of reality, as he finally gives in to corruption.

‘Master’ had drawn attention abroad before this win. The film also took part in the Rotterdam film festival. Well known filmmakers and stars of world cinema were present at this year’s Lucca festival. So people see this recognition for a Bangladeshi film at such an event as an important achievement for the country’s cinema.

Mr. Nasir Uddin Khan plays the title role in ‘Master’. The cast also includes Ms. Azmeri Haque Badhon, Ms. Zakia Bari Momo, Mr. Fazlur Rahman Babu and others. The film has won an award at an international festival, but it has not yet received permission to screen in cinema halls in Bangladesh. Sources linked to the film say it will be released in the country once permission comes.