Noman Robin’s debut film Common Gender is drawing a big crowd to cinema halls and is on the road beyond the border. It has entertained the audience as well as raised a serious issue concerning the transgender people of the country. Alamgir Khan of Dhaka Courier spoke to the Director, Noman Robin about the film and the film industry of Bangladesh cinema in Bangladesh.
Why and when did you think of making a film on transgender people in Bangladesh?
Back in 2009, I happened to witness an incident at a public toilet. A ‘hijra’ wanted to use the toilet, but people did not let her use it. They chased her away and the security man beat her up. All she kept on saying was, ‘Why can’t I use it? Am I not human?’ To this very day, what I witnessed about three years ago, remains etched on my mind. It was then that I thought of making a film about them.
But didn’t you make Common Gender as a TV drama at the beginning?
Originally, I wanted to make a movie. The TV drama was a sort of rehearsal for the bigger venture. Making a movie is definitely a much bigger risk to be undertaken.
What is our cultural view towards transgender people?
Hijras draw respect from people in our cultural setting. They earn their living by singing and dancing at birthdays, weddings and other such ceremonies. They are one of the best choreographers. People have belief in their power of blessings. But nowadays hijras are no longer invited to such ceremonies. Not as much as they used to be.
What should be the urgent steps by the state for hijras?
What they need most is employment, a source of income. They can work in garment factories if the government makes it mandatory for garment owners. Next, they should be provided with education.
Professional actors played the roles of hijras in this film. Why not hijras?
First, I did not want to use hijras for the benefit of my film. Beside we also needed trained actors for films.
Please say something about the lack of your satisfaction with Common Gender.
Set, story and limited budget.
Why are the middleclass people looking away from cinema halls nowadays?
The story of the movie is the main problem. The story must be good and it should address social problems, ones that the audience can identify with. People are watching Common Gender despite the fact that there is no film star in this movie if proof.
Why are cinema halls closing down in Bangladesh?
I would not say that cinema halls are closing down, these are rather being turned into warehouses because the latter brings more money to the owners.
What can the government do about it?
The government can make cinema halls tax-free. Again, the government can give incentives to the private sector for building cineplexes.
Can you talk to us about any interesting or memorable incident during the shooting of Common Gender?
There are many. Here’s one; during the shooting of the scene in which hijra Boobly requests a working mother in the street to call him in and have rice, many of the people who were watching this shooting from surrounding rooftops and buildings were in tears watching Dilip da’s extraordinary acting.
What are your plans for the near future?
Jalodosshu Raktorahossho, a Bangla version of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Why and when did you think of making a film on transgender people in Bangladesh?
Back in 2009, I happened to witness an incident at a public toilet. A ‘hijra’ wanted to use the toilet, but people did not let her use it. They chased her away and the security man beat her up. All she kept on saying was, ‘Why can’t I use it? Am I not human?’ To this very day, what I witnessed about three years ago, remains etched on my mind. It was then that I thought of making a film about them.
But didn’t you make Common Gender as a TV drama at the beginning?
Originally, I wanted to make a movie. The TV drama was a sort of rehearsal for the bigger venture. Making a movie is definitely a much bigger risk to be undertaken.
What is our cultural view towards transgender people?
Hijras draw respect from people in our cultural setting. They earn their living by singing and dancing at birthdays, weddings and other such ceremonies. They are one of the best choreographers. People have belief in their power of blessings. But nowadays hijras are no longer invited to such ceremonies. Not as much as they used to be.
What should be the urgent steps by the state for hijras?
What they need most is employment, a source of income. They can work in garment factories if the government makes it mandatory for garment owners. Next, they should be provided with education.
Professional actors played the roles of hijras in this film. Why not hijras?
First, I did not want to use hijras for the benefit of my film. Beside we also needed trained actors for films.
Please say something about the lack of your satisfaction with Common Gender.
Set, story and limited budget.
Why are the middleclass people looking away from cinema halls nowadays?
The story of the movie is the main problem. The story must be good and it should address social problems, ones that the audience can identify with. People are watching Common Gender despite the fact that there is no film star in this movie if proof.
Why are cinema halls closing down in Bangladesh?
I would not say that cinema halls are closing down, these are rather being turned into warehouses because the latter brings more money to the owners.
What can the government do about it?
The government can make cinema halls tax-free. Again, the government can give incentives to the private sector for building cineplexes.
Can you talk to us about any interesting or memorable incident during the shooting of Common Gender?
There are many. Here’s one; during the shooting of the scene in which hijra Boobly requests a working mother in the street to call him in and have rice, many of the people who were watching this shooting from surrounding rooftops and buildings were in tears watching Dilip da’s extraordinary acting.
What are your plans for the near future?
Jalodosshu Raktorahossho, a Bangla version of Pirates of the Caribbean.
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