SHARMIN JOYA

Mahde Hasan’s debut feature Balur Nagorite , internationally titled Sand City , has won the prestigious Proxima Grand Prix at the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival—marking another proud achievement for the country. The film stars Mostafa Monwar and Victoria Chakma in lead roles, with Monwar portraying the character of Hasan. Speaking to The Daily Star from the festival, the actor shared his reactions, insights into the filmmaking process, and behind-the-scenes stories.

Let’s start with your first reaction — what drew you to the script of ‘Sand City’?

Back in 2018, while I was working on Rubaiyat Hossain’s film Shimu , I first met Mahde Hasan on set. During our conversations, he mentioned that he was planning to make a film. He shared the idea with me—a story built around two parallel characters whose journeys, though separate, mirror each other in a deeply metaphorical way. Sand, he said, would serve as a powerful narrative element, subtly binding their worlds together.

Mahde’s storytelling was riveting, and I couldn’t say no. I was immediately drawn to the story, particularly the character of Hasan, who works in a glass factory. At first glance, he appears peculiar and unconventional, but beneath that odd exterior lies a deeply complex individual, shaped by darkness and inner turmoil. What fascinated me even more was Hasan’s childlike side — a vulnerability that surfaces when he’s under extreme mental pressure. It’s a rare and layered role, and portraying such a character is both challenging and incredibly rewarding for an actor.

‘Sand City’ won big at Karlovy Vary. How does it feel to have a Bangladeshi film recognised on such a global scale?

This festival is not commercial; it caters to passionate cinephiles, especially those who appreciate independent films. As one of the oldest film festivals in the world, established just after World War II, it holds a special place in the central and eastern European region. It’s a proud moment that Bangladeshi films, after receiving acclaim at Cannes and many other prestigious festivals, are now reaching new regions and connecting with fresh audiences.

How did it feel to receive the highest-ranked prize at the festival?

There’s actually a funny story behind this. I asked Mahde if we were going to win any prize, and he said no—if there was, the festival team would have given us a hint. We arrived on July 6 and stayed in Karlovy Vary until July 10 before heading to Prague. Mahde planned to visit London afterward, and I was set to go to Switzerland. We were simply happy that our film had been selected and figured the festival was over, so we carried on with our plans. While visiting Friedhof Praha (Franz Kafka’s grave), we suddenly got a call from the festival asking us to return immediately. By then, Victoria and our sound engineer had already gone back to Bangladesh. The festival covered all the travel expenses and arranged a car for us. At the award ceremony, we were stunned to learn we had won the top prize. It’s a moment we’ll never forget.

When are you returning, and what’s next audience can look forward to?

I’ll be returning on July 17. Meanwhile, my film Saba is set for release, and I’m currently in discussions for several new projects, including one in India.