Bamboo Stories - DocPoint 2019

In the middle of summer, the weather conditions in Bangladesh are harsh; the air is extremely hot, heavy rains often fall, and bugs are swarming everywhere. It is under such conditions that three modern-day bamboo loggers have to float a raft made of over 25,000 logs for 300km along a river.

The documentary by Shaheen Dill-Riaz takes us into the breath-taking jungle landscapes of the Kushiara river from which men have earned their livelihood for generations already. Work is hard and keeps men away from home for weeks. Apart from hard work, common sense is also required in order to proceed under the challenging circumstances. Climate change will make the journey even more difficult and bamboo as a means of livelihood is vanishing anyway.

The director also shot his film himself, taking not only aerial views of awe-inspiring dimensions but also extreme close-ups. There is something meditative about the end result. No matter how arduous and challenging the tasks ahead may be, it is possible to relate to them with calm serenity. Faith in one’s own work and destination helps to push on even if one were to face river pirates or wild elephants.

Paavo Ihalainen / Translation: Mikko Kuusimäki