Set against the backdrop of the turbulent period in the late 1960s leading up to Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan, The Clay Bird tells us the story of a family torn apart by religion and war. Based on the director’s own childhood, the film follows a young boy Anu, who is sent off to a strict Islamic school, or madrasa, by his deeply religious father Kazi. As the political division in the country intensifies, an increasing split develops between the moderate and extremist forces within the madrasa, mirroring a growing divide between the stubborn but confused Kazi and his increasingly independent wife. Touching on themes of religious tolerance, cultural diversity and complexity of Islam, The Clay Bird has universal relevance in a strife-ridden world.
The Clay Bird deals with ethnic emergence of the nation Bangladesh, religious multiplicity of Islam and gender identity as well.
The film got FIPRESCI International critics’ prize in the Cannes Film Festival 2002, best film and two other awards in Karafilm Festival, Pakistan 2003, best screenplay award in Marrakesh International Film Festival, Morocco 2003 and some local awards. It was first Bangladeshi Film in Oscar Competition. It was released commercially in Europe, America and some other parts of the world and got huge critical admiration in foreign press.
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