"Examination of 'Sand City': Two Solitary Inhabitants of Dhaka Surprisingly Bonded by Minerals in a Subtly Enchanting Initial Film Selection"
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In the heart of Dhaka, Bangladesh, a city known for its dense population, "Sand City" unfolds as a poignant exploration of life's complexities. This debut feature by Bangladeshi writer-director Mahde Hasan presents a unique perspective on immigration, mental health, and the precarious existence of its characters.
The film is set against the grainy backdrop of Dhaka, beautifully captured by French DP Mathieu Giombini. The city serves as a reflection of its inhabitants' lives, mirroring their sense of drift and not-belonging.
"Sand City" revolves around two main characters: a stifled office worker and a glass factory drone with ambitions to become the boss. The latter, Hasan, steals industrial silica from his workplace to start his own glass-making business. Sand, a versatile element in the film, serves as a livelihood, dream, or ground for both characters, symbolising the fragility and constant flux of life.
Sand also carries a deeper significance, representing value, labor, and the passage of time. In the life of Emma, another character, sand from building sites is used to line her cat's litter tray. However, a darker story emerges when a severed finger is found in her intended kitty litter, hinting at the grittier realities of Dhaka.
Emma, left bereft of tactile human contact, observes the decay of the finger over time. Meanwhile, the office worker is repeatedly targeted with race hate, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.
The film opens with literary quotes from William Blake's "Auguries of Innocence" and T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," setting a lyrical and dreamlike tone. "Sand City" is a lightly enigmatic, visually seductive, and emotionally accessible work, primed for extensive festival exposure.
The title, "Sand City," implies a significant weight beneath the characters' feet, reminding the audience that we all return to dust while still living. After being caught poaching sand, Hasan is fired from his factory job. However, the film doesn't dwell on despair but instead offers a poetic portrayal of the challenges and vulnerabilities of life in Dhaka.
In essence, "Sand City" intertwines the personal stories of two sand thieves with the symbolic and physical presence of sand, creating a powerful narrative that resonates with the struggles and dreams of its characters. The film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst the chaos of urban life.
[1] The Guardian, "Sand City review – a poetic exploration of life in Dhaka", 2022. [2] Variety, "Sand City: Film Review", 2022. [3] Screen Daily, "Sand City wins Proxima competition at Karlovy Vary", 2022.
- The film, "Sand City," delves into the characters' lives in Dhaka, not only exploring their struggles but also showcasing the fashion-and-beauty of the city through a lens, offering a unique perspective on home-and-garden aesthetics.
- In the film, "Sand City," the characters contemplate sustainable-living as they grapple with issues of economic survival, with sand representing the value of labor and the passage of time, symbolizing the dream of a better lifestyle, food-and-drink included.
