[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Film Industry

[Saif]

Bangladeshi cinema makes historic debut at Venice Film Festival

Bangladeshi film ‘The Difficult Bride’ has become the country's first entry in the competition category (Orizzonti) of the prestigious Venice International Film Festival.

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladeshi cinema makes historic debut at Venice Film Festival

 

[Saif]

How 'Mukh O Mukhosh', Bangladesh’s first film, was made

The film's music was composed by Samar Das, while the songs were performed by Mahbuba Hasnat and Abdul Alim. Choreography was by Gawhar Jamil.

www.thedailystar.net

How 'Mukh O Mukhosh', Bangladesh’s first film, was made

Photo: Collected

Today marks a proud milestone in the history of Bangladeshi cinema. It was on this day that “Mukh O Mukhosh” was released. Directed by Abdul Jabbar Khan, the film became the country's first full-length Bengali-language sound feature. Its release on August 3, 1956 marked the official beginning of Dhaka's film industry. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the landmark production.

Seventy years ago today, “Mukh O Mukhosh” premiered at Rupmahal Cinema Hall in Dhaka. The inauguration was attended by the then Governor of East Pakistan, Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Huq.

The film itself was born out of a challenge. In 1953, during a meeting held to discuss the prospects of filmmaking in East Pakistan, it was claimed that the region's humid climate made film production impossible. Rejecting that assertion, Abdul Jabbar Khan declared that he would prove otherwise by making a feature film himself.

Abdul Jabbar Khan | Photo: Collected

Although he had no prior experience in filmmaking, Khan adapted his own stage play “Dakat” into a screenplay. Using a second-hand Eyemo camera imported from Kolkata along with a basic tape recorder, production began. As there was a shortage of female performers, advertisements were placed in newspapers to recruit actresses. Purnima Sengupta, from Kolkata, was cast as the female lead, Kulsum, while Abdul Jabbar Khan himself portrayed the male lead, Afzal.

Filming took place across several locations, including Kaliganj on the opposite bank of the Buriganga River, Lalmatia, Tejgaon, Jinjira, and the banks of the Turag River in Tongi. Shooting was completed on October 30, 1955, after which editing and printing were carried out at Shahnoor Studio in Lahore.

Initially, distributors in Dhaka were reluctant to release the film. Eventually, Pakistan Film Trust and Pakistan Film Service took on the responsibility of distribution. Alongside its premiere at Rupmahal Cinema Hall, “Mukh O Mukhosh” was also released in Chattogram, Narayanganj and Khulna. The overwhelming response from audiences proved that filmmaking was indeed possible on Bengali soil, paving the way for a new chapter in the country's cinematic history.

The film's music was composed by Samar Das, while the songs were performed by Mahbuba Hasnat and Abdul Alim. Choreography was by Gawhar Jamil.​

 

[Saif]

Film industry in dire state after 17 years of misrule: State Minister Mir Helal

The planned Rangamati facility is part of the first phase of a nationwide initiative to build 26 modern information complexes.

www.thedailystar.net

Film industry in dire state after 17 years of misrule: State Minister Mir Helal

Rikors Chakma

The country’s film industry has reached the verge of ruin following 17 years of misrule and requires urgent revival efforts, State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin said during a visit to Rangamati.

Speaking at an event in the hill district on Thursday afternoon, the state minister highlighted the government's plans to construct modern information complexes across the country to support the cultural and media sectors.

"We view this as a priority project of the government. The information complex being built here is not merely a building; it has specific objectives," the minister said.

The planned Rangamati facility is part of the first phase of a nationwide initiative to build 26 modern information complexes, according to project director Md Moniruzzaman. Once completed, the facilities will house digital labs, digital archives, fact-checking units, administrative offices, and a multipurpose hall designed to double as a cineplex.

During his address, the state minister stressed the need for systemic measures to curb the spread of misinformation and online harassment.

The minister also noted that special attention is being directed toward the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, encompassing Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban. He mentioned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently formed three specialised committees to implement practical solutions to the region's challenges.

"For the past three days, I have visited Khagrachhari, Sajek, and now Rangamati," Helal said. "The Prime Minister wants those of us in office to visit remote areas, understand people’s needs, and take realistic action."

The Rangamati information complex will feature a five-storey foundation spanning 14,620 square feet. Built at an estimated cost of Tk 13.88 crore, the project is slated for completion within two years.

The event was chaired by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md Shah Alam. Rangamati lawmaker Dipen Dewan attended as the guest of honour.

Other key officials in attendance included Rangamati District Council Chairman Dipan Talukdar, Department of Mass Communication Director General SM Abdur Rahman, Rangamati Superintendent of Police Muhammad Abdur Rakib, and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Md Imranul Haque Bhuiyan.​