Belgrade:Bangladeshi filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit's political drama MASTER has been awarded the Best Screenplay in the World Competition section of the 53rd Belgrade International Film Festival (FEST), which concluded on Sunday. This accolade adds to the film's growing list of international recognitions.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the screenplay, co-written by Sumit and Sabbir Hossain Shovon, was honoured by the festival jury for its effective narrative structure and its exploration of political corruption, betrayal, and personal transformation. The jury described MASTER as a compelling political drama that delves into themes of betrayal and moral choices associated with power.
The jury also commended the film's tense atmosphere and its depiction of a character's evolving relationship with power. They highlighted that stories from smaller nations often reflect universal realities and resonate with global audiences. The jury was chaired by Serbian film theorist, critic, and screenwriter Saša Radojevic, with members including film director and founder of the Balkan Panorama Film Festival, Prof Dr Sali Saliji Salini, and film producer Martin Milinkovic.
MASTER joins the ranks of leading films at the festival, alongside Spanish historical drama The Red Hangar, which won Best Picture, and Rafael Manuel's Filipiñana, which received the Best Director award. Belgrade FEST, established in 1971, is a prominent European international film festival, celebrated for showcasing films from around the world.
The screenplay award marks another milestone for MASTER, which has previously secured the Big Screen Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the Best Feature Award at the Lucca Film Festival in Italy. The film is set against the backdrop of rural Bangladesh's local governance and features a narrative examining power and morality.
Despite the international acclaim, MASTER's theatrical release in Bangladesh has been delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles and clearance processes. The film's cast includes Nasir Uddin Khan, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Zakia Bari Mamo, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Sharif Siraj, Tasnova Tamanna, and Lutfar Rahman George.