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Bulbul Can Sing

Generation 14plus 2019
© Flying River Films
‘Why are you always angry? Girls should be modest. Girls should behave well. You should be calm.’

In the atmospheric light of dusk and dawn, Rima Das portrays the lives of three friends on the threshold of adulthood. Poetic sensuality contrasts with authentic scenes of everyday life in their Indian village, where carefree youthfulness comes face to face with merciless reality. The story's protagonist is Bulbul, whose voice fails her when she has to sing in front of people. Fear of failure and self-doubt also plague the fragile Bonny, and Suman, who does not fulfil the traditional male image. The experience of first love puts the three teenagers under the pressure of high expectations and strict moral codes. The relationship between love and suffering demands a lot of strength. Bulbul the nightingale begins to sing.

Trailer/Film Excerpt

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by Rima Das (Written and Directed by)
with Arnali Das, Manoranjan Das, Banita Thakuriya, Pakija Begam India 2018 Assamese 95' Colour

With

  • Arnali Das (Bulbul)
  • Manoranjan Das (Suman)
  • Banita Thakuriya (Bonny)
  • Pakija Begam (Bonny’s Mother)

Crew

Written and Directed by Rima Das
Cinematography Rima Das
Editing Rima Das
Sound Design Susmit Bob Nath
Production Design Rima Das
Costumes Rima Das
Stills Photography Ayush Das
Colourist Sid Meer
Assistant Director Mallika Das
Casting Rima Das
Production Manager Mallika Das
Producer Rima Das
Executive Producer Rima Das
Co-Producer Jaya Das

Produced by

Flying River Films

Mumbai, India

Photos

Rima Das

Born in India, her film Bulbul Can Sing screened in the 2019 Generation section of the Berlinale and received a Special Mention from the International Jury. In 2020, she herself was a member of the same jury for Generation 14plus. Her film Village Rockstars won the National Film Award in India for Best Feature Film and was India’s official entry for the 2019 Academy Awards. Village Rockstars 2 had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival where it won the Kim Jiseok Award.

Filmography

2016 Antardrishti (Man with the Binoculars) 2017 Village Rockstars 2018 Bulbul Can Sing 2022 Tora’s Husband 2024 Village Rockstars 2

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025