Notice

This multimedia story format uses video and audio footage. Please make sure your speakers are turned on.

Use the mouse wheel or the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate between pages.

Swipe to navigate between pages.

Let's go
Handmade in Bangladesh
A documentary by Liz Bachhuber & Florian Wehking

Handmade in Bangladesh

Logo https://kurvewustrow.pageflow.io/handmade-in-bangladesh-21307

Synopsis

Goto first page
The documentary Handmade in Bangladesh takes the audience on a journey to the very heart and soul of this East Asian country - the hard working people of Bangladesh.

In short episodes the film tells the stories of average working people who live in a rich cultural heritage of artisian handicraft and creativity. They invent many ways of recycling in order to make a living out of - basically nothing - in the sense of “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” In that way Handmade in Bangladesh offers an alternative point of view to the often one-sided, negative media image of this young, independent country.

Besides being one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world Bangladesh has major problems like environmental challenges, child labor and dangerous conditions for workers. But that is not the entire picture. There are many creative, open-minded, upbeat and proud people who want to build their country literally with their own hands. Their struggle for survival and a better education is directly related to global capitalism and the standard of living and consuming in the West.

Handmade in Bangladesh gives you names and shows you some of the faces of the people who help produce low-priced commodities and, in doing so, help to secure the western wealth and advantage. The film documents their efforts and shows the passion with which they fight for a better future.

Deutsche Version






Goto first page
“An enlightening and reflective look at a fascinating country on the move.”

The documentary by Liz Bachhuber and Florian Wehking, who are presenting their directorial debut with this film, sheds light on many different work situations under the highly topical aspect of sustainability. Various people in different circumstances are presented and interviewed episodically. Be it a lecturer at a university, an owner of a small business or a craftswoman. The optimistic view that the film provides distances itself in a clever and informative way from the negative media image that is often spread about the country.

The camera work, which was done by director Florian Wehking, is convincing thanks to the well thought-out composition and many close-ups, which allow the viewer to really get close to the individual people portrayed. The dramaturgical and scenic concept of the film appears straightforward and coherent and makes the film very accessible to the audience. As the stories are only told by the various protagonists, the film is extremely authentic and creates a kind of panopticon of society and the general situation in the country.

Handmade in Bangladesh is an instructive, inspiring and important documentary about the young and emerging Bangladesh. A film that invites the audience to learn many interesting things about the country and its people. And to continue to engage with the issues even after the movie.

See the full jury statement here (in German).









Goto first page
“The collected hair comes in a messy bundle. Our work is to detangle and organize the strands of hair. […] I earn about 1.500 Bangladeshi Taka (approx. 16 Euro) monthly. Maybe it didn’t change my financial status radically but at least I can pay for my education properly.”
Goto first page

Trailer & News

Close
I agree with being shown Vimeo videos. More information

To opt out of displaying external embeds, manage settings here.

Goto first page
Goto first page

Further backgrounds

“Our country, our own land is nice. In the land we are born into, for the country that feeds us, we must be grateful.
If you ask a person from abroad, he or she will also praise their country. Being from here we feel good about our own country. […] I dream for my children to be well educated and for me to experience them doing a good job.”
Goto first page
In addition to the textile industry, Bangladesh is also worldwide known for its shipbreaking yards in the Chittagong region. Here, every type of overseas freighter is dismantled and recycled by hand. Accidents or environmental pollution often occur in the process. Nevertheless, it is a very lucrative business that supplies the world market with affordable steel. It is estimated that around 200 ships are dismantled here every year. Among them are many from Germany, which have been sold and landed here under a different flag / nationality. In the region, about 100-200,000 people depend and live directly or indirectly from this work. For example the fishermen who can be seen here use the remaining lifeboats as fishing boats.

This text can be hidden on a desktop PC by using the sidebar (to the right). On some mobile devices the background video won’t work.
Goto first page

Credits

Director & Producer
Liz Bachhuber & Florian Wehking

Protagonists
Mohammad Alamgir
Sharfaraz Ahmed
Nazimuddin Bepari
Selina Khatun
Prof. Muhammed Alamgir
Muhammed Jamal Hossain
Manjila Begum
Mohammad A K Salim
Hosne Ara
Mohammed Mojahur Biswas
Romisa Biswas
Muhammed Shakil Rana
Salma Khatun
Prof. Afroza Parvin

Idea
Liz Bachhuber

Director of Photography
Florian Wehking

Locations & Management
Sumaiya Rahman
Imran Faisal
Raihan Khan
Auditi Bridget Biswas
Imran Nazir

Interviews & Translations
Auditi Bridget Biswas

Editing, Postproduction & Design
Florian Wehking

Sound Design & Mixing
Florian Marquardt - Klangfee Mediasound

International Translations
Fabian Skoruppa

Music
Shiyan Shahriar Alamgir

With the friendly support of:
Kreativfonds der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Thüringer Staatskanzlei

Film Data
Running Time: 76 Minutes
Format: 1:1,78 (16:9) / Full HD 25p / 4K Upscale / Colour
Screening Format: DCP, File
Audio Formats: Stereo / 5.1
Languages: Bangla & English

Subtitles: German, English, Spanish, Italian
Production: Germany / Bangladesh – 2020
Contact: mail(at)florian-wehking.de

© Liz Bachhuber & Florian Wehking | 2024






Goto first page
Scroll down to continue Swipe to continue
Swipe to continue