Busan’s Asian Project Market will introduce “Silence of the Looms,” a drama from the era of Bangladeshi’s director Mirza Shabnam Feldoushi. Produced by Rajiv Mohajan alongside Sensemaker and Crack Platoon, Studio 45 LLC leads the project, the film revisits the disappearing history of Muslin weaving under British colonial rule and celebrates the resilience of the artisans who once captivated the world.
Feldosch said her journey in her story began more than a decade ago. Later, researcher Saiful Islam’s book on the book’s legacy deepened her commitment. “The myths and memories of Muslin have always surround me, as if they were part of my DNA,” she says. “The story of a weaver cut with a finger, whether cut by the British or cut his own thumb in protest, moves me deeply through the “silence of the loom.”
The film aimed to bring muslin to life on screen not only as a historical artefact but also as a tactile, living craft. “We want the audience to feel the texture of muslin – we want them to hear the rhythm of the loom, and feel the patience and dedication that the threads glow in the light, woven into every inch of fabric,” explains Feldosch. “The film allows craft to unfold through the struggle, joy and resilience of the characters that embody it,” he said.
Balancing accuracy with emotional storytelling was central to Feldosch’s approach. “When I tell the Muslin story, I feel a responsibility to do justice to facts. At the same time, history can feel far away unless we live through human experience. My job as a filmmaker is to weave facts into the emotions of characters,” she says.
For Ferdousi, who created over 40 documentaries for Born Together in 2016 and won the National Film Award for Bangladesh, the project also marks a leap towards large-scale storytelling. Her fictional debut, “Ajob Karkhana (Song of the Soul),” won the Fipresci Award at the 2022 Dhaka International Film Festival. “What’s different is the scale. It’s the movement from national storytelling to international film.”
Producer Rajib Mohajan is most famous for his co-producing of “Rehana Mariam Noor” by Abdullah Mohammad Saad, premiering in 2021 with a solid honor at Cannes and becoming obedient to Bangladeshi’s Oscars. “She wasn’t trying to repeat herself. She was boldly trying to open new ground. Her deep research, her sensitivity to history, and her honesty in the filmmaking process convince me that this is not just a film, but a mission,” he says.
Ensuring reliability, the team worked closely with Saiful Islam as research advisors to plan for artisans and fashion houses to recreate Muslin’s legacy on screen. Funding strategies include local sponsorships, cultural institutions, and international cooperation. “The main goal of APM is to connect with co-producers, sales agents and distributors who believe in the power of historical narratives in global resonance,” Mohajan points out. He adds that British characters, essential to the story, will need international casting support along with post-production and VFX technical collaborators.
For Mohajan, the strength of the film lies in its duality. “On the other hand, “Silence of the Looms” is a deep story of Bangladesh. It is rooted in the lost legacy of Dacamuslin and the silent voices of artisans who once enchanted the world. The theme, the exploitation of the colonies, the erasure of culture, the fight to maintain dignity is to maintain dignity,” he says.
