“Experience Cinema in Its Purest Form.”
CINE TOTEM is redefining the independent film landscape in Dhaka by launching a premier monthly sanctuary for pure, uncompromising arthouse cinema. Hosted in cultural partnership with Russian House, Dhaka, this curated showcase takes over the final Thursday and Friday of every month, uniting boundary-pushing Bangladeshi independent works with celebrated international cinema under one roof.
Designed for passionate cinephiles who demand both artistic depth and uncompromising technical excellence, every screening delivers an immersive theatrical experience featuring pristine DCP projection, enveloping 7.1 surround sound, and plush seating, complete with a welcoming lobby and refreshment corner crafted for vibrant post-film discussions and community discovery.
The Mute
A talented young boxer, known as Mute, has dreams of a professional boxing career. As he prepares for the biggest tournament of his life, he meets an unusual girl on a bus. In order to see her again, Mute must defeat – himself.
Direction : Arsen Aristakesyan
Country : Russia
Duration : 29 Minutes
Year : 2024
Surot
‘Surat’ is a story of everyday life, survival, and the masks created by society. The hero works for a life insurance company, while Malati Roy issues death certificates at the City Corporation. Though they belong to different worlds, they seem to find their own reflection in each other—two bodies, yet almost like one soul.
Direction : Golam Rabbani
Country : Bangladesh
Duration : 14 Minutes
Year : 2022
Mastul
In the treacherous realm of an oil tanker, an ageing cook’s unlikely bond with a street child unravels secrets and deceit, all while navigating oil theft and power struggles.
Direction : Mohammad Nuruzzaman
Duration : 1 Hours 33 Minute
Year : 2025
Country : Bangladesh
Language : Bangla
Subtitle : English
সাঁতাও
The film revolves around the impact of the agrarian society during the time of Memories of Gloomy Monsoons and the life of marginalized people.
Direction : Khandaker Sumon
Duration : 97 Minute
Year : 2023
Country : Bangladesh
Language : Bangla
Subtitle : English
Bhabar Vita
Bhaba’s Homestead is a memory-driven film dedicated to the birth centenary of Ritwik Kumar Ghatak. Separated by Partition, twin siblings Bhaba and Bhabi ended up on opposite sides of Bengal. In 2014, carrying Bhabi’s memories and a black-and-white photograph of Bhaba, the filmmaker sets out to find their ancestral home in Old Dhaka. Through this journey of memory and storytelling, Bhaba returns to his birthplace, giving rise to “Bhaba’s Homestead.
Direction : Molla Sagar
Country : Bangladesh
Duration : 30 Minutes
Year : 2024
Song of Whales
Synopsis:
A fisherman’s desperate search for fish is halted by the mournful call of a mother whale. Her grief awakens a ritual from the depths — a symphony of sea creatures in mourning. When silence returns, the fisherman survives, but nothing remains the same.
Directed : Afroza Hossain Sara
Country : Bangladesh
Duration : 12 Minutes
Year : 2024
Passenger
One night on the streets of Dhaka, Shahadat meets Bilkis. A brief CNG ride turns into an unexpected romantic encounter. But when Bilkis and the driver attempt to make Shahadat their victim, the story takes an unexpected turn. In the end, it is revealed that Shahadat is no ordinary passenger—he is a bigger con artist than both of them.
Direction : Evan Monawar
Country : Bangladesh
Duration : 11 Minutes
Year : 2023
The University of Chankharpul
A bunch of university students fiercely competing for a political post, driven by ambition and power. But at what cost? They risk their youth and future, caught in a ruthless game where ideals are traded for influence and corruption.
Direction : Akash Haque
Duration : 2 Hours 24 Minute
Year : 2026
Country : Bangladesh
Language : Bangla
Subtitle : English
AUDIENCE BENEFIT & MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINE
1. Automatic Triple Club Membership
• Three-in-One Cultural Access: Every ticket purchased for a Cine Totem screening automatically enrolls the attendee into Cine Totem, the Sergei Bondarchuk Film Club, and the Leo Tolstoy Literature Club.
• Personalized Cultural Updates: Members receive advance schedules, screening alerts, and curated event invitations directly via email and SMS.
2. World-Class Theatrical Viewing Experience
• Cinema-Grade Projection & Acoustics: Enjoy uncompromised visual and acoustic fidelity powered by calibrated DCP projection and a 7.1 surround sound audio system.
• Intimate Arthouse Atmosphere: A dedicated 180-seat auditorium designed for focused, immersive cinephile viewing away from commercial cinema noise.
3. Exclusive Curation & Director Interactions
• Unreleased & Rare Indie Cinema: First-look access to groundbreaking Bangladeshi independent shorts and feature films not available in commercial multiplexes.
• Russian & World Cinema Classics: Regular access to curated international masterworks and Russian classics.
• Director & Filmmaker Q&As: Direct dialogue opportunities with visiting directors, screenwriters, and critics during post-screening sessions.
4. Audience Privileges & Community Engagement
• Priority Seat Booking: Registered members get early-bird access to special festival screenings, retrospectives, and limited-seat workshops.
• Audience Voice & Testing: Members participate in audience surveys and feedback panels, actively influencing future curations and indie film release trajectories.