PUBLICITY RELEASE
Monday August 28
Controversial Movie on Maori Television
For many years Tareque and Catherine Masud dreamed of making a movie of Tareque’s childhood in an East Pakistan madrasa
(Islamic seminary) during the 1960s.
Now Bangladesh, this was a turbulent time in the country’s history, when it was torn between a non-religious democratic
movement and a pro-Islamic military junta.
Although there was extreme political upheaval at the time, the story the Masuds wanted to tell was a human one, through
the eyes of a child.
With grants, international backing, plus all of their savings, the Masuds were able to finally make THE CLAY BIRD.
Using an almost totally non-professional cast, including street children, madrasa students, and villagers, the movie was
shot in the countryside over 18-months, even during the monsoon.
On its release, THE CLAY BIRD became the first feature film from Bangladesh to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival,
where it won an award. But it was banned in Bangladesh for being too religiously sensitive, a crushing blow for the
Masuds.
After a massive campaign in Bangladesh and on the internet, the ban was eventually lifted, but only on condition that
certain scenes were cut.
Now Maori Television is proud to present the full version of this beautifully-shot, moving and thought-provoking film,
screening for the first time in New Zealand.
Experience a country in turmoil in THE CLAY BIRD, showing on Maori Television on Sunday, September 3 at 9.00 PM.
ENDS