19 October 2022
Bangladesh
2019
95 Minutes
Director: Rubaiyat Hossain
Shimu (Rikita Nandini Shimu) works long and physically punishing shifts at a Dhaka garment factory. After a fire at the factory sends all the workers fleeing in panic into the streets, they all mourn the death of one of their co-workers. This catastrophe ripples through the
consciousness of these poor women workers who share their feelings of grief, anger, helplessness, and hopelessness. A labour advocate (Shahana Goswami) contacts Shimu and invites her to bring some of her co-workers to a meeting where she explains the value of organizing a union to defend the workers’ rights. Shimu proves to be a resourceful young woman as she gathers the necessary signatures to apply for union recognition. She is elected
president but faces criticism from some of her co-workers who are fearful of losing their jobs. In this colourful drama, director Hossain draws out a bold and inspiring performance from Rikita Nandini Shimu as a leader who comes into her own as she faces formidable challenges in the fight against rampant corruption and injustices in the textile industry
Amiens International Film Festival 2019 – Winner – Prix Spécial du Jury fiction – Best Film