4. Delupi
Directed by Mohammad Touqir Islam
Delupi was filmed in a remote village in Bangladesh in the aftermath of great political and environmental turmoil that shook the country, especially its poorest communities. Director Mohammad Touqir Islam and his crew embedded themselves within the village, allowing events to unfold organically and gaining the trust of the people around them by joining in relief efforts. Islam also uses real villagers and first-time actors, lending an added layer of authenticity to the film. When we hone in on the love story between Partha and Nupur, Mihir’s activism, and the seedy escapades of Chairman Zakir as he attempts to use the chaos of the situation to gain power, it feels wholly believable and provides an openness that makes it easy to connect with these characters and their lives.
Instead of the film becoming bogged down by the different threads of the narrative, they combine to form a tightly woven tapestry – a testament to the importance of community and that we are stronger together. The word that comes to mind when looking at Delupi’s interconnected storylines is ‘protection’: from Mihir’s political and environmental mission, Partha’s wish to rescue Nupur and shield their love from her strict parents, the Jatra troupe’s defiance in preserving their art, to the entire population of the neighbouring villages as they unite to protect their land. Delupi is a powerful tale of young love, the resilience of the human spirit in the face of environmental crisis.
London Breeze Film Festival runs from 21 – 25 October, 2026. To explore the full programme, head to londonbreezefilmfestival.com