Bangladeshi Film ‘The Eternal Journey’ sweeps three international awards in Greece

In a landmark achievement for Bangladeshi independent cinema, filmmaker Fozle Rabby's "The Eternal Journey" has not just competed on the global stage, but has triumphed, securing three prestigious awards at the 3rd Karditsa International Short Film Festival Opseis (KISFFO 2025) in Greece.

The experimental film—a profound, meditative work that explores the search for self-identity—was honoured with the Cinematic Achievement Award at its Greek premiere. In a powerful tribute to cinematic excellence, it also won the Best Short Experimental Film Award, now dedicated to the acclaimed Greek director Angelos Frantzis. Yet, perhaps the most resonant victory came in the form of the Best Short International Actor Award, recognising the outstanding performance of Pankaj Chowdhury Rony, whose physical and mental dedication brought the film's central character to life.

"The Eternal Journey" is inspired by Naznin Mostofa's play Kute Kahar and the stage production by Arindam Natya Goshthi. It masterfully blends documentary realism with poetic abstraction to tell the story of the Kahar community, the forgotten palanquin bearers of Bengal, whose struggles and resilience deserve to be remembered. The film's victory at KISFFO, a festival that brings together cinematic artistry from around the world, underscores the growing global recognition of Bangladesh's independent and arthouse film scene. Its screening at the picturesque Opseis Theatre under the summer sky, during a tribute to the legendary composer Mikis Theodorakis, marks an unforgettable milestone for the director and his country.

At the film's heart is the journey of Pankaj Chowdhury Rony, a theatre actor who prepares for his role as "Kute Kahar," a man whose life is defined by carrying heavy loads, ultimately leaving him hunched and broken. The film documents Rony's absolute commitment, showing him carrying heavy stones, walking for miles across diverse landscapes, and meditating in forests to dissolve his own identity and become the character. This is an "eternal journey into one's own self," one that resulted in a performance so powerful it captivated an international jury.

In a statement, Fozle Rabby expressed his gratitude to the festival jury, organisers, and audience for embracing his work, as well as to his dedicated actor, Pankaj Chowdhury Rony. He remarked that for him, "The Eternal Journey" is more than just a film; it is his "eternal tribute to the voices of resilience and identity, and a step forward in bringing Bangladeshi stories to the international stage."

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