Beginning with a legend about the Jamuna River in his native country of Bangladesh, filmmaker Shaheen Dill-Riaz draws us into a bizarre world of floating islands. The Chars Islands, inhabited by the Chauras are a peculiar place to live. At least six months every year, the entire region is underwater.

When the flood recedes, the sands take over, and the Chauras attempt to cultivate the dried out river bed and rebuild their houses. Time and time again they watch helplessly as all their possessions disappear under water. Despite their hardships, no one leaves this inhospitable region. For the Chauras, this is their homeland. And the connection to this home is deeper than the surrounding waters.

Sand and Water: Shaheen Dill-Riaz’ film reveals a fascinating side of human nature

Being one of Dill-Riaz’ earliest films, Sand and Water  met with critical acclaim by the critics and the public. Dill-Riaz reveals a fascinating aspect of human nature and the connection of a people to their homeland that exceeds the imagination of many. As in his other films, such as The Networker or The Projectionist, he keeps his focus on the human side of the story.

“Filmmaker Shaheen Dill-Riaz lets us immerse in an unfamiliar world ruled by water and sand. His very personal touch can be felt in the film. Sand and Water is a very human film, which tells a universal story: human beings throughout the world have much more in common than one might think. Despite all barriers imposed by the civilization, their lives are marked by the same existential joys and sufferings.”

– Laudatory speech of the Jury, ORB-Dokumentary-Award 2002 –

Film details

Title:	Sand and Water / Sand und Wasser
Release date:	2002
TV premiere:	December 15, 2003, 22:30
Length:	110 min
Format:	Digi-Beta SP
Production:	Mayalok Filmproduktion

Downloads

Sand and Water photos (Zip)