Filmmaker Pradipta Bhattacharya’s Nadharer Bhela (The Slow Man and His Raft) sails on the international voyage, marking a proud moment for Indian and Bengali cinema. The film had its screenings at Rotterdam and Canada’s International Film Festival. It is now the only Indian entry in the international competition section this year at the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival.
'Nadharer Bhela', translated as 'The Slow Man and His Raft', is a poetic reflection on human endurance, isolation, and the silent struggle for existence against nature’s immensity.
Bhattacharya, known for his fine storytelling and impeded realism, has directed but also written and edited the film. The narrative is set on the life of an isolated man adrift on a raft, helming not only water but the tides of time, memory, and self.
Recognition across continents
The film’s journey began at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), which is one of Europe’s most prestigious platforms for independent cinema. The film was honoured for its lyrical pace and evocative visual language.
Its selection at the Canada International Film Festival has solidified its growing international footprint. Nadharer Bhela returns home with its feature at the Kolkata International Film Festival.
Pradipta Bhattacharya’s artistic vision
Pradipta Bhattacharyya is a National Award-winning filmmaker. He is known for formulating deeply reflective cinema that apprehends the essence of everyday human resilience. Nadharer Bhela uses silence and slowness as narration tools.
From Rotterdam to Canada, and now to Kolkata, the film’s raft is sailing steadily. The film carries the modest power of storytelling that connects borders, languages, and tides with it.
