Samsul Islam Shopon's documentary "Latika" is putting Bangladesh on the global cinematic map once again. This time it will represent the nation at the prestigious COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following its impressive festival run, "Latika" will be showcased at the summit, underscoring the film's relevance to both environmental and cultural discourses.
The short documentary, which highlights the life of Latika, a resilient woman from the Malo community in Narail, Bangladesh, has earned its spot at the upcoming DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival, and is scheduled to compete in two categories there. The director confirmed that it also became the reason behind the film taking up room at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP29, set to take place from November 11 to 22. Shopon's "Latika" captures the fading traditions of the Malo community, centring on its lead Latika and her husband Shyam Biswas, a fisherman who uses trained otters to catch fish—a centuries-old practice now on the verge of extinction.
The film intimately portrays the family's struggle for survival on the banks of the Chitra River, as they navigate the hardships of raising two children while managing their livelihood with three pairs of otters. The global recognition of "Latika" is not just a personal triumph for Shopon but also a testament to the power of storytelling that blends human resilience with en.
