“The Road to Kansat”: Latest documentary by Tareque and Catherine Masud

A scene from the documentary

Internationally acclaimed directors Tareque and Catherine Masud have completed their latest documentary titled The Road to Kansat. The documentary features the general public agitation for access to electricity in the township of Kansat, Rajshahi, which continued for nine months (starting from September 2005 to April 2006). The government eventually yielded to the citizens' demands. Eighteen civilians died during the movement.
Tareque and Catherine Masud filmed the documentary for over the past couple of years. The filmmaking process included a painstaking reconstruction of the events.
On making a documentary on this issue, Tareque Masud told The Daily Star, "The Road to Kansat is an attempt to explore the accounts of the Kansat movement, and its positive impact on the continuing struggle for justice and democracy. The unique non-violent character of the movement made us interested in making a documentary on the incidence. What began as a small-scale attempt to reform the local electricity administration evolved into a full-blown mass struggle for justice and an end to corruption."
Sharing his experience of making the documentary, Masud said, "We were surprised learning about the active participation of the masses for their right. We had no idea that women played a central role in this movement -- even in the face of overwhelming and brutal force applied by the authorities. I went over footages of the movement featuring people in a mango orchard (where they had to remain for three days) and used those in the documentary."
"Comments of a local freedom fighter also struck me, who compared his experience of this recent movement for access to electricity with that of Liberation War," Masud added.
Tareque Masud further informed that the film, which combines interviews with movement leaders and archival footage of key events, was made with support from 'Manusher Jonno', the Asia Foundation, and BLAST.
The Road to Kansat will be premiered on October 9 at 4 pm at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library. Kansat movement leader Golam Rabbani, along with other distinguished guests and activists will attend the premier, said Masud.
A special screening of the documentary will be held on October 10 at 4 pm at the British Council Auditorium followed by a brief discussion with eminent guests.