Private Project

Transit

For a man on the verge of poverty in a third-world country, a migrant-worker visa can often be a lifeline. But Abdur Rouf must patiently wait for this change of fate, as a visa to Italy is not guaranteed for someone of his stature. Living in a chaotic, bustling, and unforgiving city can be claustrophobic and Rouf resorts to canvassing on buses just to support his family. In addition to his financial constraints, Rouf’s major disappointment lies with his wife not being able to bare children till now.

But despite a gloomy and unpredictable future, Rouf continues to look for a turning point in his life – a break from this monotony and dullness, which seems to have encapsulated him. Things finally start looking up for Rouf when positive news arrives within the family – but so does news about the outcome of his visa application.

Rouf, still unsure about the future of his family, sits in a crowded waiting room to discover his fate.

  • Ariq Anam Khan
    Director
  • Ariq Anam Khan
    Writer
  • Tariq Anam Khan
    Producer
  • Ariq Anam Khan
    Producer
  • ET Ng
    Director of Photography
  • Jahangir Alam
    Key Cast
    "Abdur Rouf"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 15, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Bangladesh
  • Language:
    Bengali
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - London Film School
  • Encounters Film Festival
    Bristol
    United Kingdom
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Busan International Film Festival
    Busan
    Korea, Republic of
    International Premiere
    Official Competition
  • Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival
    Clermont-Ferrand
    France
    European Premiere
    Official Competition
  • LA Shorts International Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Bengaluru International Film Festival
    Bengaluru
    India
    Indian Premiere
    Official Competition
Director Biography - Ariq Anam Khan

Ariq Anam Khan, is a versatile writer, director, actor, and producer from Bangladesh. Born into a culturally renowned family in Dhaka, he has been working in Bangladesh theatre, film and television industry since 2008. Ariq has also worked as a location manager in several international productions shot in Bangladesh.

Being an ardent lover of cinema from a very early age, Ariq has focused his attention on learning about filmmaking and has participated in countless workshops, courses and masterclasses over the years. He has always strived to tell very human stories through his films and wants his work to be thought-provoking, cinematic, and socially relevant with a very universal context. His debut short film titled "The Smile" (2014) was widely appreciated and screened at festivals all across Bangladesh.

He was accepted into the MA Filmmaking programme at the London Film School in 2017 where he completed his degree with distinction in 2019. Ariq's graduation film Transit (2020) has garnered praise, after premiering at festivals such as Encounters (UK), Busan (South Korea), Clermont-Ferrand (France), and LA Shorts (USA).

Filmography:
- The Smile (2014)
- Age of Gypsies (2015)
- Forgotten Wings (2017)
- About Jordan (2017)
- Transit (2020)

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Director Statement

Every year, thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh make the journey abroad in search of a better life. Quite often, circumstances are such that, for many people, migrating to the Middle East, South East Asia, or even Europe is the only solution to escape an otherwise insipid and claustrophobic life. There is no future here, or so we think. But what is natural and easily granted for some is an unattainable dream for many in the third-world.

The film is a reflection of an escapist Bangladesh society, aiming to discover the struggles and dreams of a mere salesman – and his search of a life-changing opportunity abroad. Transit, in a literal sense, is a mid-point between two destinations – a crossroad between departure and arrival. In the film, it is a representation of Abdur Rouf’s present versus his future.

Often, when everything is stagnant, all that a person can cling on to is hope and the desire to create a better tomorrow. But sometimes, even the future brings its own share of dilemmas and sacrifices.