In rural Bangladesh, young Kajal struggles with their gender identity while living with their mother Kohinoor and terminally ill grandmother. The sudden return of Kajal’s long-absent father, Javed, disrupts the fragile household, creating conflict between him and Kohinoor. Tensions deepen as Javed disapproves of Kajal’s cross-dressing and demands they be sent to boarding school, prompting Kajal to run away. Found ill but later recovering, Kajal learns Javed has left again, leaving only a bicycle as a parting gift. With their grandmother near death and their mother overwhelmed, Kajal defiantly pedals through the open fields wearing red lipstick—embracing a new chapter of self-discovery.

The Stranger (2023)

October 7, 2023 80 min

Drama

Director: Biplob Sarkar

In rural Bangladesh, young Kajal struggles with their gender identity while living with their mother Kohinoor and terminally ill grandmother. The sudden return of Kajal’s long-absent father, Javed, disrupts the fragile household, creating conflict between him and Kohinoor. Tensions deepen as Javed disapproves of Kajal’s cross-dressing and demands they be sent to boarding school, prompting Kajal to run away. Found ill but later recovering, Kajal learns Javed has left again, leaving only a bicycle as a parting gift. With their grandmother near death and their mother overwhelmed, Kajal defiantly pedals through the open fields wearing red lipstick—embracing a new chapter of self-discovery.

Where to watch

Criterion Channel

Trailer

Director

Biplob Sarkar

Cast

Ehan Rashid Ratan Deb