Special online VIP screening of ‘Rising Silence’

Recently, the Mukwege Foundation announced their partnership with the film Rising Silence and director Leesa Gazi. A special online VIP screening of the film has been extended until today.

Rising Silence tells the story of the Birangona women, survivors of rape and sexual slavery in the Liberation War of Bangladesh of 1971. Many of the women have passed away, but through this film their stories live on. This film is an important look at a forgotten struggle that is echoed on today.

Leesa Gazi, a British Bangladeshi actor, playwright and founding member of a London-based arts company Komola Collective, met with 21 Birangona women in Bangladesh. “Their existence, in spite of being ignored and shut out for so long, is a testament to their resilience and their refusal to be diminished,” said Leesa Gazi. “They accepted me with no judgment and with an unconditional love that comes so naturally to them. They celebrate experiencing the wonder and beauty of friendship, nature, and music because they never gave up on life.”

The film is produced by Komola Collective, Openvizor and Making Herstory, with the kind support of Manusher Jonno Foundation and The Osiris Group, cinematography by Shahadat Hossain, editing by Tijmen Veldhuizen, music direction by Sohini Alam and Oliver Weeks with Hasan Arif as the research advisor.

For more information, visit https://www.mukwegefoundation.org/rising-silence-vip-screening/

You may also contact director Leesa Gazi at leesagazi@gmail.com for more information and interview opportunities.