My Migrant Soul

A look at the benighted fate of migrant labour who fall so easily for the lure of a better paying foreign job.

My Migrant Soul is about Shahjahan Babu, a young migrant worker from Bangladesh who left for Malaysia in search of work. Having sold an only piece of property—and virtually mortgaging his life—the young man arrives in the host country to see his dream rapidly disintegrate into frustration, disillusionment and misery. The film highlights the plight of the migrant worker in these times, and uses the story of Shahjahan Babu to illustrate those of countless others who have suffered at the hands of those who stand to profit from bartering lives. It also serves a grim warning to those who still wishfully believe that a job, any job abroad will somehow magically improve their lives. At what price?

Camera & Editing: Yasmine Kabir | Sound: Ratan Pal

Best Film Award, Film South Asia, Nepal, 2001; Netpac Award, Yamagata International Film festival, Japan, 2001; Silver Dhow Award, Zanzibar International Film Festival 2002; Award DocuMedh for the Best Human Rights Documentary Film, Tres Continentes Festival, Buenos Aires, Argentina , 2002; Gold Award for Best Documentary, 36th New York Exposition, USA, 2002

www.magiclanternfoundation.org

migrant labourmigrationpoverty