Course Code and Name: MSJ11332 Media Presentation and Performance
Project Name: Media Performance
Title: Mouths of Destruction – A Documentary on Ecological Restoration
Project Date: Winter 2023
Mouths of Destruction – A Documentary on Ecological Restoration is a documentary film aimed at highlighting the devastating impact of Sakar Fish on the river ecosystems of Bangladesh, particularly in Mohammadpur Beribadh (Turag River). Our project follows the story of Mohammad Mohsin Patowary, a local fisherman, who not only catches these invasive fish but also repurposes them into animal feed. Through this film, we explore the ecological threats posed by the uncontrolled population of Sakar fish and the potential solutions that can help restore balance to our rivers. The production involved on-location shoots, in-depth interviews, and extensive documentation of the fishing process. The filming took place from morning to evening, overcoming challenges such as crowded locations and environmental disruptions. Each team member played a vital role, ensuring that the story was captured with authenticity and impact. Post-production was completed using Premiere Pro, with a carefully curated background score to enhance the emotional depth of the documentary.
The documentary is essential because it sheds light on an urgent environmental crisis. Sakar fish, a non-native species, have been destroying the natural balance of aquatic life, threatening native fish populations, and damaging the livelihoods of local fishermen. Despite these dangers, public awareness about the issue remains low. By documenting the experiences of a fisherman who actively combats this problem, we aim to educate the audience on the severity of the situation and encourage discussions on potential ecological restoration efforts.
Moreover, the project aligns with broader environmental concerns, addressing issues of biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and sustainable fishing practices. Through this documentary, we hope to create awareness and inspire policymakers, conservationists, and citizens to take action in protecting the country’s rivers from further degradation.
Mouths of DESTRUCTION
– A Documentary on Ecological
Restoration
Date: [14/12/2023]
Location: Mohammadpur Beribadh, Near Turag River
Team Members:
Mrinmoy kumar shil,
Ajharul Hoque Siam,
Syed Mohsin Husain
Today marked the beginning of our ambitious journey into the heart of ecological restoration
through the lens of a documentary film. Our focus lies on the critical issue of Sakar Fish, locally
known as Sakar fish, causing extensive damage to the river ecosystems, particularly in the
Mohammadpur Beribadh (Turag River). Our protagonist, Mohammad Mohsin Patowary, a
fisherman by trade, has become a central figure in our narrative as he not only engages in
catching these harmful fish but also transforms them into animal feed. Our objective is to shed
light on the destructive impact of sakar fish on the environment and explore potential solutions.
Pre-Production and Production
We started this project because we care a lot about protecting the environment. To get things
going, we went out on Thursday morning to find Mohsin Patowary. Once we located him, we
had a heartfelt talk, knows about his daily struggles and understanding how he deals with the
environmental issues caused by sakar fish.
We told Mohsin Patowary about our project and why we were making a documentary. He kindly
agreed to work with us. Excited and ready, we got our cameras and equipment to capture the
story of Mohsin Patowary’s life and his efforts to help the environment.
Details of Our Documentary:
Total Duration: 7 min
Interviews: 1 person
Location: Mohammadpur Beribadh (Turag River).
Time: From morning to evening.
Budget: 2000 taka
On-Location Challenges: As we went into the center of Mohammadpur Beribadh (Turag
River), we faced many challenges. There were a lot of people there, which made it hard for us to
do our filming. But, even with all the difficulties, our team stayed strong and determined, making
sure the filming went well.
Since Mrinmoy is very good with the camera, Mrinmoy was interviewing Mohsin Patowary,
Siam was taking side shots with another camera that we needed for the documentary. And
Mohsin was helping Mrinmoy in shooting, whether the camera is capturing everything properly,
If there is any problem, solve it immediately.
In the busy surroundings, we had a long talk with Mohsin Patowary. We asked him many
questions to understand how sakar fish affects the environment and to find ways to fix the
problems it causes. Mohsin Bhai shared some important information that showed how urgent it isto take action and restore the environment. Mohsin Patowary, with his years of experience,
graciously shared the art of catching sakar fish from the river. The camera rolled as he expertly
skewered the fish, providing us with invaluable footage for our documentary. The teamwork
among our crew members was evident, with each person playing a crucial role.
Picture of Mohsin Patowary
Post-Production
At the end of shooting that day, we all sat together for editing. We took all the footage from the
camera to the PC and started editing with Premiere Pro Apps. As our production director was
Mrinmoy and being adept at editing, Mrinmoy completed most of the editing in a very short span
of time. The rest of the members have helped with the sound and which clip will go after which
clip. Since editing is an important task so everyone has completed the work very carefully on
time. In our documentary we used a flute tune as background music. We think that fits our video
very well.
Conclusion:
As we finished our day by the Turag River in Mohammadpur, we thought about the tough times
and the good moments. Our production diary now shows how much our team worked hard to tell
the story of Mohsin Patowary and his important efforts to deal with the environmental problems
caused by sakar fish. In the days, we’ll go through all the footage we recorded and put together a
strong story. Our goal is not just to talk about the problems but also to inspire people to do
something to help the environment. This documentary shows how storytelling can make people
aware and bringing about positive changes for our environment.
This production diary is like a quick look at our journey, and we’re excited to share the full story
through our documentary. We hope it encourages people to have a better and more balanced
relationship with nature.
Documentary Link: https://youtu.be/vr6I_BIGboI?si=QCGO7Az2_f5I1Sml
Scene From the Documentary in Mouth of Destruction which we are Acting
Learnings & Outcomes (Self-Reflection)
Working on this documentary was an eye-opening experience that strengthened our skills in storytelling, research, cinematography, and teamwork. We learned how to effectively document environmental issues and present them in a compelling manner. The project also improved our ability to work under pressure, tackle logistical challenges, and adapt to real-world filming conditions.
From a personal perspective, this project deepened our understanding of environmental sustainability and the delicate balance of ecosystems. It taught us the power of visual media in driving social awareness and change. Seeing how Mohsin Patowary transformed an ecological threat into an opportunity made us realize the importance of innovative solutions in conservation efforts.
Ultimately, this documentary is more than just a film—it is a call to action. We hope that through our work, audiences will become more conscious of their role in protecting the environment and take steps toward a more sustainable future.
From weddings and events to commercials and cinematic videos — our lens brings your moments to life. Now taking limited bookings — don’t miss your date!