"The Salt in Our Waters" (Nona Joler Kabbo) , a fiction film released in 2020 by Rezwan Shahriar Sumit, is a compelling tale of contemporary coastal life in Bangladesh. The film navigates through themes like the effects of climate change, rural beliefs, and the collision between tradition and modernity. It shows that these coastal people face a two-fold conundrum- their continuous struggle for survival against mother nature and their battle reason against inflexible rural customs- all presented through a poetic lens
The storyline is fairly simple, the plot is linear, yet each scene carries layers and layers of meaning that requires deeper analysis. It tackles themes such as religious fundamentalism, struggles of marginalised communities, femininity, restrictions in practicing any sort of art and climate issues- all intricately woven into the narrative, creating a deeply engaging poetic experience.
Rezwan Shahriar Sumit utilizes this film as a chance to deliver several real-life messages. For example, it shows how fishermen of that area struggled to make ends meet during the government imposed ban on Hilsha fishing for two months, showcasing their hardship. The film also emphasizes the importance of collective decision making and awareness during natural disasters.
A particular striking element of this film is its portrayal of how a lack of education and knowledge drives marginalised communities into bigotry and blindness. Fazlur Rahman Babu's role was one of the director's best casting choices. "Rudra" acted by Titas Zia, symbolized awareness and a new wave of change. The age-old clash between tradition and modernity, the old and new found a strong avatar in these two characters.
The up and coming rising star, Tasnuva Tamanna delivered a wonderfully natural and refreshing performance, hinting at a promising future. Although his acting was adequate, Shatabdi Wadud's role may not have fully matched his skillset. As always, Ashok Bepari was excellent in his role of portraying a working-class man.
In the climax of the film, art vs fundamentalist belief and traditional values vs modernity is brought to a peak by the director. Standing between the crossroads of life, Rudra is forced to make a difficult choice between his art and the villager's harsh reality. The film ends on a poetic, yet tragic note, leaving the audience to ponder over the impact of climate crises, the helplessness of marginalized people, and the wider, social responsibilities of art.
