Filmmaker Statement

The uploaded 2 minute film contains footage from a forthcoming documentary. "Bhasan Char, Why?" is a short documentary that captures the experiences of a group of refugees relocated to a small, isolated island. Filmed secretly over the course of two years by Rohingya refugees, the film gives voice to the refugees, men and women, as they confront the challenges of their new environment and the feelings of isolation, loneliness, and despair that come with it. Surrounded by vast stretches of water with no way to return home, they are forced to make a life for themselves in their new surroundings. Without proper facilities like schools and hospitals, and with no way to make a living, the refugees struggle to find hope in their hopeless situation. Despite their challenges, the refugees in "Bhasan Char, Why?" refuse to give up. They support each other and hold onto their dreams, hoping that one day they will be able to leave the island and start anew.