Tree Without Roots delicately balances both comedy and tragedy in an exploration of faith and deception set in rural Bangladesh. Majid (Raisul Islam Asad) is a Mullah who arrives unexpectedly at a remote village. Declaring a delapidated grave as that of a famous holyman, Majid sets about turning it into a Muslim shrine. The villagers have no clue who this holyman was but as Majid begins to worship at the shrine they are gradually taken in by his story and the shrine starts to earn Majid a healthy income. Soon the whole village comes under his influence, and the web of deception and intrigue is skilfully teased out as Majid establishes himself in the community, marries and involves himself local politics. A compelling and surprisingly amusing story, Tree Without Roots offers a fascinating portrait of a man who wilfully misinterprets the ideals of Islam.

Tree Without Roots - Schedule 2002

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