‘Lost Land’ brings Rohingya journey to Dhaka audience
Alliance Française de Dhaka will host a special screening of "Les Fleurs du Manguier – Lost Land", the acclaimed feature film by Japanese director Akio Fujimoto, tomorrow, 2 May.
Co-produced by Japan, France, Germany and Malaysia, the film received the Special Orizzonti Jury Prize at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, organisers said in a statement.
The 138-minute film is the first feature-length production to be filmed entirely in Rohingya.
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It follows two Rohingya siblings, four-year-old Shafi and nine-year-old Somira, as they leave a refugee camp in Bangladesh and undertake a perilous journey to Malaysia in search of their family.
The film highlights the human dimensions of displacement, especially the importance of safety, security and dignity for Rohingya communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
The narrative reflects the risks faced by vulnerable communities who may be driven towards dangerous or irregular migration routes, while underscoring the need for livelihoods, safety and self-reliance.
The screening will commence at 5pm at Auditorium Nouvelle Vague, Alliance Française de Dhaka, and will be open to all on a first-come, first-served basis, followed by a discussion.
French and English subtitles will be provided.
France supports the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya refugees, and continues to play an active role in their assistance through sustained financial support and political engagement, according to the release.
Akio Fujimoto is renowned for his focus on Southeast Asian migrant experiences. His previous works, "Passage of Life" and "Along the Sea", have earned international acclaim for their sensitive portrayal of displacement and human rights.
Drawing on personal and cultural experiences, Fujimoto's films blend fiction and documentary, often centring on the lives of marginalised communities.
The screening is organised in collaboration with UNHCR, Alliance Française de Dhaka and the Embassy of France in Bangladesh.
