SYNOPSIS
As a last ditch effort to save lives, Dr. Iqbal, along with Rokeya, became involved in the game of reasoning. Who will win the game? Rokeya, a talented young woman who grew up in the black shadow of fundamentalists, or Dr. Iqbal, a progressive writer above the enemy.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
On 26 February 2015 bio-engineer Dr. Avijit Roy, a well-known Bangladeshi blogger were attacked in Dhaka by machete-wielding assailants. The film “Morning coffee” has been made based on that incident. As a filmmaker and a free thinker, I believe that diversity, tolerance and freedom of conscience – fundamental to our existence – are being challenged here…now a days. What is being destroyed is an integral part of the values of our freedom struggle and the democratic struggle that we have waged so far. By 2 July 2016 a total of 48 people, including 20 foreign nationals, were killed in such attacks. These attacks were largely blamed on extremist groups. Blogging has become a dangerous profession in Bangladesh now a days. These deaths are spine-chilling warning to us all that we all can be targets. All that needs to happen for any of us to be killed is that some fanatic somewhere in the country, decides that someone or anyone, needs to be killed.
Open-minded and progressive bloggers (Like DR. Iqbal the Protagonist of the film “Morning Coffee”) are being targeted in general. They are killing those who are easy to access, when they get the opportunity… The main attempt is to create fear among bloggers. These Murders are part of a struggle between those who are promoting political Islam to turn Bangladesh into a fundamentalist, religious state and the secular political forces … That is why [the bloggers like Dr. Iqbal] have become the main target, and the political parties who are supposed to prevent such attacks and provide security to them seem unable to do so.
Even this reminder came through the “Holey Artisan” attack as well, which left the country shaken and shocked, unable to comprehend how students from well educated backgrounds could be manipulated to such an extent as to carry out such heinous acts. This is what “Morning Coffee” wishes to explore: That this is not as black and white as terrorism has always been portrayed to be and how one young well educated lady, with an environment as similar to as any other, can be brainwashed into following the path of an unjust God. This understanding remains crucial, that, at their hearts, how these young groups of people have been brainwashed, and that, at the end of the day, if we take the time to listen to them or explain to them then, redemption is not merely possible, it is likely. Religion is a very personal matter to believe and practice. Whoever writes in their blog cannot makes someone religion week. We just need someone to show us the way. That is what “Morning Coffee” does. It shows us the way, the path in the middle, in an era where everyone has to believe that, The practice of religion is not insanity or war.