A slice of life with Shaheen Dill-Riaz

In a time when it's all too easy to lose ourselves in endless scrolling and digital self-absorption, taking a step back to engage with stories beyond our own can be a refreshing change. On 31 July and 1 August, that's exactly what a group of attendees did at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute in Panthapath.

They pressed pause on political videos, cringy TikToks, and nonstop movie reels and unrot their brains through the power of a good documentary.

The occasion being a retrospective film screening along with a 'Meet the Director' session featuring renowned filmmaker Shaheen Dill-Riaz, organised by the institute's Department of Film and Television.

Shaheen Dill-Riaz is a Berlin-based documentary filmmaker, and over the two-day event, he screened four of his acclaimed works: 'Sand and Water', 'Ironeaters', 'Bamboo Stories', and 'The Projectionist'.

Even before the first screening, 'Bamboo Stories', began, the director repeatedly apologised for its 95-minute runtime—ironically, the average length of most feature films. However, it turned out to be an intriguing watch, a definite break from the overstimulating content our brains have become used to.

As the name suggests, Bamboo Stories is about bamboo and the world surrounding it. We're introduced to the men who chop it, raft it, sell it, and own it. Apart from the owner and the retailer, most of the workers spend weeks in the wilderness looking for quality bamboo, which is then transported, sometimes with considerable danger and effort to the market.

The process sounds straightforward, but the work behind it is far from simple. These men leave their families and endure hard physical labour for very little pay. Many of them shared how they inherited the occupation from their fathers and grandfathers.

Yet, when asked if they wanted their children to continue in the same line of work, all from cutter to owner said no. They want their children to study and secure a stable life.

"I like observing the day-to-day life of working people and how they come to be, their struggles, which often go unseen. I like to bring that to the screen," shared Shaheen.

Each shot in Bamboo Stories felt intentional: from close-ups to bird's-eye views, long takes, reaction shots, and sweeping aerial visuals.

The people portrayed were more than just their professions—they were witty, warm, and often unexpectedly funny. They had families waiting for them back home, as they braved harsh conditions in forests and rivers.

The second documentary, 'The Projectionist', leaned towards the wholesome, though not without its heart-wrenching moments. It followed seven-year-old Rakib, who began learning to operate a cinema projector twice his size—almost as a game. Three years later, at just ten, Rakib was working as a full-fledged projectionist, supporting his single mother and older brother.

We see Rakib's life unfold, his school routine, time at the cinema, and his small joys like humming Shakib Khan songs. Despite living in poverty, Rakib is resilient by nature. His surroundings may not be beautiful, but his spirit certainly is. He dreams big, and his beaming smile stands in contrast to his tough circumstances.

Just like in Bamboo Stories, Shaheen's direction in The Projectionist stood out. The camera doesn't just observe, it lives with Rakib. We don't feel like spectators; we feel present, sitting in the projection booth, walking through narrow alleys, sitting in class with him.

The documentary director had been sent to Germany in the early 1990s to study engineering—or so he let his parents believe. A few months later, his father discovered the truth. His mother, who was present in the audience, shared the story with everyone.

"You know what your son did?" Shaheen's father exclaimed, rushing to his wife. "He changed his course, and you'll be shocked to know what he switched it to." When she asked calmly, "What course?"

"Filmmaking," he replied.

However, with her love for art and literature, she didn't think it was such a terrible change from engineering.

Shaheen pursued his passion, studying art history and theatre at Freie Universität Berlin, then cinematography at the University of Film & Television Potsdam-Babelsberg. His documentaries have screened widely. It is safe to say he picked the right career path and allowed us to watch four of his critically acclaimed documentaries.

Three hours spent watching two very human stories was a welcome reminder that Bangladesh is far more than just Dhaka and it's never ending chaos.

It's easy to get trapped in our digital bubbles, scrolling endlessly, consumed by our own 'internet' lives. But sometimes, we need to break free from our narcissistic cells and think about others, people whose lives may not be trending on social media, but are filled with strength and complexity.