Rohingya Family's Perilous Escape from Myanmar to Malaysia

In his latest film "Lost Land," director Akio Fujimoto shines a light on the plight of Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar. The film, which premiered at the 2025 Tokyo International Film Festival, follows a Rohingya family's perilous journey from Bangladesh to Malaysia.

The story begins with the family, including two young siblings, frantically packing to leave their home. They are forced to make difficult choices, leaving behind their possessions to better care for the children. The older sister, Somira, aged 9, is tragically thrust into the role of caretaker for her 4-year-old brother Shafi as they embark on the harrowing exodus.

Fujimoto's documentary-style approach puts the audience in the shoes of the refugees, capturing the claustrophobia of the boat ride and the flight-or-survival instincts the children are forced to learn. The film also weaves in the stories of other Rohingya families, highlighting the wider scale of the crisis and the hostility they face from authorities in various countries.

Despite the tragic nature of the events, Fujimoto's compassion shines through. The film features a poignant sequence where the refugees discuss their dreams for the future, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. However, the final notes of the film linger painfully, as the characters cling to the memory of a mango tree from their lost home, a reminder that personal salvation can only go so far in the face of such immense suffering.