Under Construction
Roya is a middle-class Muslim woman that struggles to find herself in the sprawl of urban Bangladesh. When she discovers that she will be replaced by a younger actor for the role of Nandini —a central character of Rabindranath Tagore’s political play Red Oleanders —she battles to reconstruct the part, reclaiming her identity and sexuality in the process. As she sets the play in a modern day ready-made garment factory in Dhaka, her journey to establish her individuality is juxtaposed with the journey of her housemaid Moyna, who later joins the industrial workforce.
Insights
Plot Summary
This short documentary offers a glimpse into the lives of construction workers at the L&T Construction site in South India. It highlights their daily routines, the challenging conditions they face, and the human aspect of building massive infrastructure projects. The film emphasizes the dedication and hard work involved, often overlooked in the grandeur of completed structures. It provides a personal perspective on the labor that goes into modern development.
Critical Reception
As a short documentary, "Under Construction" was primarily screened at festivals and has a more niche reception. It has been praised for its sensitive portrayal of the working class and its insightful look into the construction industry. Critics often note its effective use of visuals to convey the scale of the projects and the humanity of the workers. Audience reactions tend to focus on the film's ability to foster empathy and appreciation for manual labor.
What Reviewers Say
- Appreciative portrayal of the labor force behind development.
- Visually compelling look at the construction industry.
- Offers a humanistic perspective on difficult working conditions.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this short documentary is not readily available, making it difficult to summarize their specific likes or dislikes.
Awards & Accolades
Screened at various film festivals, including the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) in 2015.
Fun Fact
The documentary was filmed over a period of six months, capturing the various stages of construction and the evolving lives of the workers.
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