By Farid Ahmad
Waiting for Winter
Borsha Seshey
Bangladesh is the world’s largest river delta, where devastating floods occur every summer. When winter arrives, an island reappears in the Jamuna River, and Arifa, a 35 year old homeless single mother fights for her dignity, freedom and for a safe home in a world where all odds are against her.
Section : Impact Days
Country : Bangladesh
Original language : Bengali
Director
Farid Ahmad (Bangladesh)Producers
Salma Sonia (Bangladesh)Vincent Wang (France)
Noyakar Productions
House on Fire
Completion
December 2024
Impact Statement
We want to see an alternative support system initiated to protect displaced families who are affected by climate change and natural disasters, so that their families don't break down and women don't turn into single mothers. We want to see homeless women, especially single mothers, rehabilitated to government housing projects on an urgent basis. The safety of single mothers must be ensured by law so that they feel secure in their community. If a mother is vulnerable, her children will be vulnerable, too. We want to see this cycle of vulnerability stop. We also would like to see women engaging in socio-political activities so that they get connected. We would like to show the effects of climate change at personal and family levels. Thus, we would like to raise awareness and help formulate inclusive policies about climate change internationally.
I want to see a change in our climate policy, as climate displacement also causes family displacement. As their husbands leave them to escape responsibility, it is women and their children who become victims.
Impact Goals
- Rapid rehabilitation to permanent housing projects for displaced women living in flood-prone areas.
- Legal support and economic compensation for mothers whose husbands have been missing for over six months or got into another marriage.
- If the mother is vulnerable, the daughter is too. We want to advocate for policy to support these girls, so they can continue their education and early marriage can be stopped.
- Ensure the representation of women in local government initiatives such as housing projects and food-for-work programs.
- Raise awareness about climate change at international levels by depicting the effects at the personal and family levels.
Impact Strategy
- Organise discussion programs in disaster-prone areas, partnering with local NGOs that work on climate change, women's empowerment and women's health.
- Organise open discussions followed by film screenings in local mass gathering programs on remote islands, such as opera, folk fairs, and musical programs.
- Organise seminars in respective university departments, such as women and gender studies, development studies, and disaster management, and invite policymakers.
- Design a website where public opinions (on social security, safety, gender discrimination, etc.) will be published. We will record public opinion during screening and discussion programs. We will also do social media campaigns.
Contact
Funders and agencies
Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum
La Scam
Sundance Institute Documentary Film Programme
Others
American Film Showcase Documentary Film Programme
Berlinale Talents Doc Stations
Open Doors Locarno
Funders and agencies
Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum
La Scam
Sundance Institute Documentary Film Programme
Others
American Film Showcase Documentary Film Programme
Berlinale Talents Doc Stations
Open Doors Locarno