Women face a long and winding road
Both as a filmmaker and woman, Catherine has a first hand experience of women's struggle. At the tender age of four, she along with her two-year-old brother came face to face with the divorce of their parents. Her single mother had to get back to study. After a master's degree in social work from the University of Chicago, she singlehandedly brought up the two young children. This courageous woman is still a dynamo of energy; she works full time as a family therapist.
Catherine takes a positive stand on the issue of International Women's Day. To put it in her words, " I think it is important to highlight the situation of women, which for the most part is subordinate in all societies in varying degrees. In that sense, it is important to observe this day. However, it is rather sad that one can allocate just one day out of 365 for women. It is as if they were some small minority on the planet that needs a little representationwhen in fact they constitute more than half of the global population.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Catherine and Tareque Masud's films incorporate the gender question. In Matir Moina, for instance, there is a definitely critical portrayal of the mother as a victim of her husband's prejudices.
How do women stand in the cultural scenario? Says Catherine, "In Bangladesh it is difficult for women to advance professionally. On the other hand, women have won appreciation as singers. Filmmaking, she believes is challenging for women because it is "a more industry-based profession and more technical."
Catherine is full of praise for her peers. Among the upcoming women filmmakers in Bangladesh, she cites the examples of Shameem Akhtar, Nina Kabir, Dina Hossain, Nargis Akhtar and Fawzia Khan, among others.
Catherine is intrigued by the "outspoken and liberated" women Boyatis (folk singers) who have a Baul influence. This a success story for women in the cultural sector. They have waged a long and lonely battle for equality, she says. In some cases, their husbands have developed an insecurity complex because the women Boyatis make much more money. Catherine also quotes the example of famous folk singer Mumtaz with whom she has worked.
Yet despite her articulate views on gender issues, she says, "Tareque is much more of a feminist than me. In fact, his first film, titled Sonar Beri, is a short documentary about gender violence in Bangladesh. On the other hand, I have never really been active in feminist organisations, either here or the US from where I come."