Awedacious Originals has announced its involvement as executive producer for Mejbaur Rahman Sumon's latest cinematic endeavor, 'Roid'. This significant development positions the film for its upcoming premiere in the prestigious Tiger competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The collaboration highlights a growing international interest in unique narrative voices from diverse cultural backgrounds, with 'Roid' promising a profound exploration of human relationships and intrinsic desires.
Helmed by International Emmy Award-winning producer Apoorva Bakshi of Awedacious, 'Roid' marks Sumon's second feature film, following the success of his 2022 breakout 'Hawa'. 'Hawa' gained notable recognition as Bangladesh’s Academy Award submission and was the first Bangladeshi film to appear on U.S. box office charts. This new project is anticipated to further solidify Sumon's reputation as a visionary filmmaker capable of crafting compelling and universally resonant stories. The film delves into the complexities of desire and attachment, portraying the enduring bond between a couple in a secluded Bangladeshi village.
The narrative of 'Roid' draws inspiration from a true story shared with Sumon by his mother, recounting a woman's unwavering return to her husband despite repeated abandonment. This powerful anecdote explores the profound and sometimes inexplicable nature of human connection, suggesting a bond that transcends logic and circumstance. Bakshi praised 'Roid' as a film of immense power, rich in mythic undertones and deeply humanistic, characterized by its uncompromising lyrical force. She noted that the film confronts desire and compulsion as inherent natural forces rather than mere emotional constructs, resonating with a fundamental truth about life's innate longing for existence.
The film’s unique philosophical boldness in narrative is what profoundly connected with Awedacious Originals. Sumon himself stated that the woman’s constant return in the true story revealed a search for something primordial, possibly a bond predating reason. The production team for 'Roid' includes co-producers Mushfiqur Rahman and Tanvir Ahmed Shovon from Bongo, Shimul Chandra Biswas from Facecard, and Tanveer Hossain, alongside Sumon. Each producer has expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing Sumon’s visionary approach and the film’s potential to captivate global audiences. Hossain, a Berlinale Talents alumnus, particularly highlighted Sumon’s ability to uncover extraordinary absurdity and philosophical depth within ordinary lives, appreciating how 'Roid' allows for silence, contradiction, and fragility to coexist.
Prior to its Rotterdam debut, 'Roid' was selected for the co-production market at India's Film Bazaar in 2024, a testament to its promising artistic merit. The cast features Mostafizur Noor Imran, Nazifa Tushi, Gazi Rakayet, and Ahsabul Y Riad, with cinematography by Joaher Musavvir Jyoti. Awedacious Originals, co-founded by Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan in 2020, has a track record of supporting critically acclaimed projects, including the Emmy-winning Netflix series 'Delhi Crime', the documentary 'WOMB (Women of My Billion)' for Prime Video, and the Oscar-shortlisted animated feature 'The Glassworker'.
This film promises to offer a unique perspective on human relationships and the power of myth, inviting viewers to reflect on deeper truths about connection and longing.