In a coastal town, women are not allowed to sing. A teenager joins a singing competition for a chance to move to the city, while hiding his true voice in a sinister way.
Year of production 2025 Length 15' CountryBangladesh/Philippines Shooting Format Digital 2K Aspect Ratio 3:2/1.5:1 Dialogue Bengali
DirectorAdnan Al Rajeev Producers Tanveer Hossain, Kristine De Leon Production Company Katalog. Co-Production CompaniesNarra, Barebones, Getafixxi Executive Producer Habibur Rahman Tareq, Kamrul Hasan Khosru, Shihab Nurun Nabi Line Production Company Runout Films Writers Arvin Belarmino, Kyla Romero Cinematographer Kamrul Hasan Khosru Editor Taiful Chowdhury Shadhin Production DesignerShihab Nurun Nabi Costume DesignerAniqa Zaheen Sound DesignerBien Sparks CastAl Amin, Indrani Shoma
Festival selections Cannes Film Festival 2025, France - World Premiere, Special Mention
Director's Statement In my country, expressing your true thoughts or standing up for what you believe in comes at a cost. The government suppresses dissent, and speaking out—whether about injustice, personal beliefs, or anything that challenges the prevailing narrative—can lead to serious consequences. Social media trials swiftly turn public opinion against you, and the authorities ensure that going against the flow is met with punishment, whether direct or indirect. Fear becomes a constant companion, and self-censorship a survival instinct. The right to free speech exists in theory, but in reality, it is a privilege reserved only for those who conform. Recently, while attending a film festival, I found myself questioning the path I’ve taken as a storyteller. I’ve built a thriving advertising company, a venture that sustains itself—a success by many measures. Yet, in a country where dissent is swiftly silenced, I am haunted by a question: Am I truly on the right path? To find an answer to this, I made ALI. In this film, a young boy’s struggle to express his female voice becomes a metaphor, mirroring those silenced in society. The boy’s experience reflects the oppressed, forced to deny parts of themselves to survive. The oppressed, like the boy himself, are trapped in their own cycle of control, bleeding from the weight of repression. In this world, the cost of authenticity is high, and only the privileged have the freedom to be heard. This is an an allegory for the universal tension between self and society. Through this intimate tale, I want to reveal a much larger truth—a narrative of love, sacrifice, and the complex ways families and communities shape who we become. It’s a story that goes beyond my nation’s struggle, resonating with a universal reality: too many voices remain quieted everywhere. By bringing these unheard stories to light, I hope to honor Bangladesh’s legacy of defiance and speak for those whose truths are silenced. My story will be theirs.
