Cinema Without Borders: Life in a metro—Sand City
Director Mahde Hasan, along with his cinematographer Mathieu Giombini, sound designer Oronnok Prithibi and art director Rainirr Borshon, play with the city's sights and sounds; the architecture, monuments, buildings, flyovers, statues, cement and concrete, and traffic get captured in a hyper-real manner. The spatial element—the structural grids, industrial geometry, factory settings and mall designs—and the chiaroscuro add to the hazy, doom-filled, gothic mood. However, the most mundane, often dehumanising routines also flow with a beat and rhythm of their own. Victoria delineates Emma with silence, stoicism and inscrutability. On the other hand, Monwar, one of the most spectacular contemporary South Asian acting talents, gives an unrestrained, expansive touch to his role of the eccentric misfit Hasan. Both their faces tell their own stories. Both are trapped in their own ways in Dhaka. Both are in search of better days, within it or outside. And both are as vulnerable as they are resilient, as fragile as they are unbreakable.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Gwyneth Paltrow Vs. Chris Martin: Ex-couple's net worth revealed after Coldplay scandal, here's who has more fortune
Gwenyth Paltrow and Chris Martin, the vocalist of Coldplay, were long considered Hollywood's golden pair. But, their marriage ended after 10 years due to a variety of factors, including the strain of being in the public eye all the time. Gwyneth Paltrow fell in love again and tied the knot with Brad Falchuk, while Chris Martin also moved forward in life with his now-ex-girlfriend, Dakota Johnson.(AP ) Paltrow fell in love again and tied the knot with Brad Falchuk, while Chris also moved forward in life with his now-ex-girlfriend, Dakota Johnson. However, Paltrow and Martin have again hit the headlines after the vocalist accidentally revealed the affair of Astronomer's ex-CEO, Andy Byron, and ex-HR chief, Kristin Cabot, during a Cold play concert. In a latest twist, Astronomer has appointed Gwenyth as its spokesperson. The well-known American actress Paltrow established herself with roles in Emma, Shakespeare in Love, and other films. She will, however, always be known as Pepper Potts from the Iron Man films. Paltrow, who was previously married to Martin from 2006 to 2013, has been wedded with Brad Falchuk since 2018. She was given an equal portion of the marital assets after her divorce with Martin. Besides her acting career, Paltrow's income derives from several other areas as she is the creator of the wellness and cosmetics brand Goop. On the other hand, Martin once possessed more material belongings than the actress. Also Read: Trump brutally trolled over his 3-word plea to Europe as he lands in Glasgow, Scotland; 'Netherlands would like a…' What is Gwyneth Paltrow's net worth? Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Paltrow's net worth is $200 million as of 2025. Despite starting her career at a very young age, she didn't get her big break until 1995 when she co-starred with Brad Pitt in Se7en. She witnessed a huge turnout after establishing her business, Goop, in 2008. According to FanBolt, Goop raised $50 million in a Series C at a $250 million valuation in 2019. In January 2021, Paltrow became an early investor at Thirteen Lune, an online store selling cosmetics. She also maintains a steady income stream through brand endorsements and other business investments. What is Chris Martin's net worth? According to Finance Monthly, Martin's net worth is estimated to be around $170 million as of 2025. Music has always been the primary source of his income. In addition, he receives compensation via collaborations and brand sponsorships. Following their divorce, Martin started living in the apartment in Malibu, which the ex-couple bought for $14 million, according to a 2014 Los Angeles Times.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
'Strong evidence' available against Saif Ali Khan attacker, police tell court while opposing his bail plea
Police have opposed the bail plea of the Bangladeshi national arrested for allegedly stabbing Bollywood actor with a knife and injuring him at his home here in January this year, telling a Mumbai court there was "strong evidence" against the accused. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Citing a Forensic Science Laboratory report, police reiterated before the sessions court their earlier claim knife fragments that got lodged near the actor's spine during the attack as well as a part found at the crime spot have matched with the weapon recovered from the accused, Shariful Islam. These three pieces were part of the same weapon (knife) used to attack the filmstar, the police said in a written response to the accused's plea submitted in the court on Thursday (July 24). Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra on January 16 during a robbery attempt. The 54-year-old actor underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital to remove a piece of knife that got lodged near his spine during the attack. He was discharged from the private hospital after five days. Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested two days later for allegedly stabbing Khan. The police, in their response, highlighted that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India. If granted bail, there was a possibility that he may flee India and not appear before the court during the trial. The crime committed by the accused is of a "very serious nature, and strong evidence" is available against him, they argued. In his bail plea, filed through advocate Vipul Dushing, the accused asserted he was innocent and had no prior criminal record. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Investigation into the case has practically concluded with only the filing of a chargesheet pending, the accused contended while seeking bail. The alleged attacker has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to house trespass, robbery and dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous injury.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Prada 'Kolhapuri sandals' scandal proves the power of India's troll army
Retailing for as little as $10, India's beloved Kolhapuri sandals are a staple in wardrobes across the sub-continent. So when luxury brand Prada SpA debuted a new type of footwear at Milan Fashion Week that bore a stark resemblance to them, it didn't take long for the fury to build online. The saga underscores how much power the South Asian giant's digital tribe holds, where online outrage regularly influences public debate — especially when citizens perceive their heritage is under attack. International firms eyeing one of the world's fastest-growing markets should weigh the risks of these cultural missteps. The Italian fashion house's troubles began when it introduced its menswear collection in June. The sandals, described as 'leather footwear,' displayed an open-toe braided pattern that was strikingly similar to Kolhapuri sandals made in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Historically, the sandals were produced for specific communities. For farmers who worked in the fields, they were robust and able to withstand wear-and-tear; for the courtier class and nobles they were more delicate and ostentatious. In 2019, the footwear was awarded the Geographical Indication status, viewed as a mark of authenticity. (Other Indian items to have received this tag include Darjeeling tea and Alphonso mangoes.) But Prada didn't credit India for the designs, prompting a brutal social media backlash. The nationalistic sentiment whipped up by this controversy boosted sales of the traditional sandals. The country's online community is renowned for its digital ferocity — it accused the brand of cultural appropriation, and the furor forced the fashion house into damage control mode. It issued a statement saying it recognized the sandals were inspired by traditional Indian footwear . The luxury brand's experience is a reminder that in India, foreign firms have to be aware of how reputational risk could affect future revenue. Internet penetration is rising, with 55% of the population connected. Social media is growing fast, too: It's estimated the world's most populous nation is home to 462 million social media users. India is a rising global power, one international brands are keen to break into. But local and foreign firms face various challenges: Bureaucracy, shoddy infrastructure and unique consumer behaviors that include a fierce defense of India's rich heritage. All of these factors require a tailored approach. Success in the market lies in the ability to balance local authenticity and global appeal — and the willingness to 'learn to love and speak to India,' as Francois Grouiller, chief executive officer of the luxury consultancy IndLux recently noted. Foreign brands can't afford to ignore India's luxury market, which reached $7.74 billion in 2023, and is projected to approach $12 billion by 2028, a recent Kearney report notes. Other estimates predict the sector could more than triple by 2030, growing to upward of $85 billion. The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals — people with a net worth of at least $30 million — is expected to grow by 50% by 2028. These forecasts come with the obvious caveats — most notably, there is still a huge wealth gap in the country. While the 100 million wealthiest people are splurging, 400 million of their middle-class counterparts have cut back. Global economic conditions are becoming less supportive, as US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs fuel trade tensions and put pressure on future growth. Still, viewing consumers as a long-term opportunity rather than just a short-term play would help these firms thrive. Even more important is understanding that India is home to a diverse market with distinct needs. Some brands have grasped this already — high-end jeweler Bulgari SpA offers a pricey Mangalsutra necklace inspired by a chain traditionally worn by married women — tapping into the desire for luxury with home-grown sensibilities. The Italian brand is not the first — and neither will it be the last — to fall foul of cultural norms. Earlier this year, Gucci made the mistake of calling Bollywood star Alia Bhatt's custom-made sari-lehenga (a fusion of the traditional sari with a long skirt) a gown. Another online frenzy was set off in May, when a viral social media trend was criticized for calling the dupatta — a traditional South Asian shawl — a Scandinavian scarf. Prada doesn't own any retail stores in India, depending instead on the super-rich diaspora and wealthy Indians who travel overseas. But the firm — which has seen its shares lose about 30% since February as investors took fright at its purchase of Versace — isn't taking any chances. In a conciliatory move, it's now working with traditional artisans to understand the history behind the famed Kolhapuris. The luxury fashion house has learned the hard way that cultural fluency is no longer a 'nice to have'— it's central to business survival.
