Cinema
Trailer of "Mujib --The Making of a Nation" is out at Cannes festival
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud has said the feature film on Bangabandhu was about the struggle, pain and suffering of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in liberating a nation.
“People of the world will know how he remained unwavering in the face of gallows and how he transformed an unarmed nation into an armed one and led the liberation war. It isn’t easy to capture the whole life of such great people in 3 hours but the team making the movie has done a great work," he said while talking about the movie "Mujib – The Making of a Nation."
Trailer of ‘Mujib– The Making of a Nation’ was released at Festival de Cannes on Thursday.
Trailer of Shyam Benegal's 'Mujib - The Making of a Nation' premiered at Cannes
The much-anticipated trailer of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life titled 'Mujib - The Making of a Nation', premiered on the third day of the 75th edition of the world-famous Cannes Film Festival's Marche du Film section in the south of France.
The 99-second trailer of the biopic, a joint venture between Bangladesh and India directed by the acclaimed Indian director Shyam Benegal, was premiered at the Indian pavilion at 6pm local time.
The trailer launching ceremony was joined by Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Indian Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur, Bangladesh Ambassador to France Khondker M Talha, Bangladesh Film Development Corporation Managing Director Nuzhat Yeasmin and others, alongside lead actors of the film Arifin Shuvoo and Nusrat Imrose Tisha.
In his speech, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said, "The film 'Mujib' depicts the glorious life of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his victorious struggle for the nation and his absolute self-sacrifice."
The film also stars Nusraat Faria Mazhar as Sheikh Hasina, and Riaz Ahmed as Tajuddin Ahmed among others.
'Mujib: The making of a Nation' is slated to release in September this year.
Also read: World premiere of ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ held
Jaya Ahsan bags Anandalok Best Actress award in Kolkata
Popular Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan has won the Anandalok Best Actress award for her role in the film "Binisutoy", in India’s Kolkata.
The award ceremony titled 'Anandalok Awards 2022' was held on Wednesday at the ITC Royal Bengal Auditorium in Kolkata.
Read: Anonymous Content, CAA take Nuhash Humayun onboard
The awards were given in various categories of movies, television series and web series.
Tom Cruise and 'Top Gun: Maverick' touch down in Cannes
Tom Cruise mania descended Wednesday in Cannes where the actor made a whirlwind appearance at the film festival, walking the red carpet, receiving a surprise Palme d'Or and watching a squadron of French fighter jets fly over the European premiere of “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Cannes pulled out all the stops to fete the 59-year-old star, paying tribute to Cruise with not just a rare interview on stage and a red-carpet premiere featuring a flyby of jets trailing colored smoke, but with the unexpected presentation of an honorary Palme d'Or. Festival president Pierre Lescure announced the award — about 15 honorary Palmes have been given before — on stage just before the screening was to begin. Cruise clutched Cannes' top prize while the audience gave the actor a standing ovation.
Also read:Cannes Film Festival opens with Zelenskyy video address
Cruise brought a palpable buzz to the Croisette, where throngs gathered around the Palais des Festivals shouting “Tom!” to try to get a glimpse of the 59-year-old star. “Great Balls of Fire” blared on the carpet.
Cruise hadn't been to the festival in three decades. But with plenty of media disruption challenging the theatrical experience, Cannes and Cruise exuded the vibe of long-last pals. “He is devoted to cinema,” declared artistic director Thierry Fremaux. Cruise's enthusiastic welcome smacked in some ways of an action hero's reception, here to save the day.
“I make movies for the big screen,” Cruise said to applause in an interview on stage at Cannes' Debussy Theatre.
The European premiere of “Top Gun: Maverick,” directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, brought out what's likely to be among the most star-studded red carpets of the Cannes Film Festival, which opened Tuesday and runs through May 28. Among those in attendance were Viola Davis, Dakota Fanning, Omar Sy and Eva Longoria — along with “Top Gun: Maverick" stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm and Glen Powell.
While Cruise arrived by helicopter at the film's San Diego premiere aboard an aircraft carrier, he came to the Cannes premiere more traditionally, with the film's cast and filmmakers in a cavalcade of cars. Cruise paused for several minutes to sign autographs and take pictures with fans lined up across the street from the red carpet.
Before that, the festival honored Cruise with a tribute that consisted of a career-spanning video montage, after which Cruise spoke about his dedication to filmmaking in an interview that stayed away from any personal questions. Instead, he responded to prodding from interviewer Didier Allouch about why, Monsieur Cruise, do you take such risks doing your own stunts?
“No one asked Gene Kelly ‘Why do you dance?’” answered Cruise.
The Cannes stopover for “Top Gun: Maverick” is part of a worldwide tour for the film ahead of its May 27th launch in theaters. It has already touched down at CinemaCon in Las Vegas and premiered in San Diego. Paramount Pictures delayed its release two years during the pandemic, a move that appears to be paying off with glowing reviews and box-office expectations that “Top Gun: Maverick” will easily mark Cruise's biggest opening weekend ever.
Asked if he was ever tempted to steer the film to a streaming service, Cruise replied emphatically.
“No, that’s not going to happen ever," responded Cruise to loud applause. “That was never going to happen.”
Also read:Rodrigo, Drake, Ye early winners at Billboard Music Awards
Cruise spent the majority of the conversation explaining his extreme dedication to the craft of moviemaking, how from an early age he dug into every element of film productions and analyzed how particular modes of acting worked best on the big screen. Shooting the 1981 film “Taps,” with George C. Scott, he returned to it again and again as a formative experience.
“Please," Cruise said he thought at the time, "if I could just do this for the rest of my life, I will never take it for granted.”
Anonymous Content, CAA take Nuhash Humayun onboard
US-based multi-platform premium content producing company Anonymous Content and CAA (Creative Artist Agency) have recently included acclaimed young Bangladeshi filmmaker Nuhash Humayun as their client.
His short film ‘Moshari’ has recently won two prestigious global awards; the Grand Jury Award at SXSW 2022 and the 2022 Atlanta Film Festival’s prize for Best Narrative Short.
Also read:‘Moshari’ wins Atlanta Film Festival Jury Award
The news of Nuhash Humayun’s inclusion as Anonymous Content and CAA’s client has been featured in Hollywood’s world-famous website Deadline, considered one of the top entertainment websites in the world.
Sharing his excitement about these accolades, Nuhash Humayun told Deadline that his goal is to portray Bangladesh/South Asia free from stereotypes and assumptions.
“The first time I heard my home mentioned in a film was a throwaway line about there being ‘enough food on this table to feed Bangladesh. I love infusing genre stories with deeply personal and cultural identity politics. We have powerful, thrilling, visceral stories to tell.”
“With my incredible team at AC and CAA, I hope to tell intimate personal stories that are also universal,” Nuhash Humayun told Deadline.
According to the acclaimed young filmmaker, “Moshari is a revisionist horror/fantasy that inverts the myth of our part of the world as ‘the third world.”
The original 22-minute horror-fantasy pic was the first film from Bangladesh to premiere in SXSW’s Midnight Shorts Program. It follows sisters Apu (Sunerah Binte Kamal) and Ayra (Nairah Onora Saif), who seek shelter inside archaic mosquito nets - the only way to survive against bloodthirsty monsters - if they can first survive each other.
In addition to SXSW, Humayun’s projects have earned support from Sundance, Film Independent and ScreenCraft. The filmmaker was a ScreenCraft 2022 Film Fund Jury Winner and the first Bangladeshi fellow accepted to the Sundance Screenwriters Intensive.
Nuhash Humayun’s next project is the feature film 'Moving Bangladesh' which is a subversive corporate drama. The film is currently in pre-production.
Also read:Chorki releases third episode of Nuhash Humayun’s “Pett Kata Shaw”
Anonymous Content is a production and management company that represents a diverse roster of writers, directors, actors and comedians. Recent releases from the media company include Benjamin Cleary's sci-fi drama "Swan Song" for Apple TV+ and Netflix's "Worth", starring prominent names from Hollywood including Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan and Stanley Tucci.
CAA is a leading agency that represents a diverse roster of clients across film, television, music, sports, digital media and marketing, and beyond. Their recent signings include the popular Netflix series "Sex Education" star Emma Mackey and filmmaker Luca Guadagnino.
Cannes 2022 to feature vibrant presence of Bangladeshi stars
The 75th edition of Cannes Film Festival commences on Tuesday, and several Bangladeshi film actors are attending the prestigious event representing different projects.
The much-awaited trailer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's biopic ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’ will be premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The 90-second trailer of the Bangladesh-India co-production will be screened at the Indian Pavilion on the third day (May 19) of the festival.
Read: Arefin Shuvo to attend Cannes Film Festival Tuesday
To be present on the occasion, Arifin Shuvoo who played the title character of Bangabandhu in the film ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’ and Nusrat Imrose Tisha, who played the role of Bangabandhu's wife Renu (Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib), flew to France yesterday, and they will be joined by bInformation and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at the festival.
Tisha’s husband and acclaimed filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is also scheduled to join the festival; however, to babysit their daughter Ilham and not to take part in the 2022 Cannes as a filmmaker.
On Sunday, Bangladeshi actor-producer Ananta Jalil and his wife and actress Afia Nusrat Barsha reached France to take part in this year's Cannes Film Festival. They will showcase the trailers of their upcoming films ‘Din-The Day’ and ‘Netri-The Leader’ and meet producers and journalists from different countries, the couple said in a video message posted from Ananta’s Facebook page.
Meanwhile, as every year, seven films from the top seven festivals of the world have been selected for the ‘Fantastic Seven’ event of the Marche du Film segment, highlighting the young talents representing a certain genre, and this year, young Bangladeshi filmmaker Nuhash Humayun's short film 'Moshari' has been selected for this event.
Recently, the film has won the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short at the Atlanta Film Festival (ALTFF) 2022, one of the few Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the world. Nuhash is going to join the festival online as he has been unable to attend the Cannes festival due to his pre scheduled work engagements.
Read: ‘Moshari’ wins Atlanta Film Festival Jury Award
Bidhan Rebeiro, a Bangladeshi film critic and writer, has been selected to serve on the International Federation of Film Critics' jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022.
Invited as the third-ever Bangladeshi cinema critic to be selected as a member of the Fipresci jury, Rebeiro will walk the red carpet at this year's event and will be present at the festival on May 19.
At the 74th edition of this prestigious film festival last year, Abdullah Mohammad Saad directed and Azmeri Haque Badhon starrer ‘Rehana Maryam Noor' was screened as one of the 18 selected participants of its prestigious Un Certain Regard category, receiving standing ovation from the audiences.
The 75th annual Cannes Film Festival opened on Tuesday with French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius directed ‘Final Cut’ on Tuesday, and the festival will continue till May 28.
Arefin Shuvo to attend Cannes Film Festival Tuesday
Popular film star Arifin Shuvo will leave Dhaka for Cannes on Tuesday to attend the 75th Cannes Film Festival.
He will represent the trailer of the movie ‘Mujib’, based on the biography of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In his reaction to the festival, Arifin Shuvo said, “It is very pleasant to me as I am going to Cannes for the first time. It feels to me like dream. I have got the chance to attend the festival. This is a big honour for me. I am grateful to my fans as everything has become possible for them. My love to them.”
Cannes Film Festival will start on Tuesday (May 17). Actress Nusrat Imroz Tisha, who acted in the role of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, wife of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the ‘Mujib’ film, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud might also go to the Cannes.
Besides, the Indian information minister along with some team members of the film will also present.
Mujib, film is co-produced by Bangladesh and India and directed by Shyam Benegal. It stars Arifin Shuvo leads the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Also read: World premiere of ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ held
‘Moshari’ wins Atlanta Film Festival Jury Award
Young Bangladeshi filmmaker Nuhash Humayun's horror short film ‘Moshari’ won the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short at the Atlanta Film Festival (ALTFF) 2022, one of the few Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the world.
The news was confirmed by Nuhash himself on his verified Facebook page on Thursday night.
“MOSHARI is now OSCAR QUALIFYING! Our Bangladeshi horror film just won the Atlanta Film Festival Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short, an Oscar Qualifying Award. Thank you to my incredible team, my family, and my industry colleagues in Bangladesh and beyond for being part of this journey,” Nuhash wrote.
'Moshari' had its world premiere at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival back in March this year. The 22-minute film stars 'No Dorai'-famed actress Sunerah Binte Kamal and Nuhash's niece Nairah Onora Saif.
Also read: Chorki releases third episode of Nuhash Humayun’s “Pett Kata Shaw”
“When the world is overrun with bloodthirsty creatures, the last of mankind perseveres in Dhaka by spending their nights inside the moshari (mosquito net) — the only known shelter from the unknown threat. Two sisters, Apu (Sunehra) and Ayra (Nairah), must navigate this strange new world to survive.
“However, their strained relationship is becoming as much of a threat as the dangers outside. One night, when Ayra’s curiosity lures her outside the safety of the moshari, Apu must rise to the occasion — as they face their demons, together,” according to the synopsis described on the film’s official website.
Describing the award-nominated film, the ALTFF jury said, "Working with familiar horror elements, 'Moshari' constructs a totally surprising edge-of-your-seat story that brings real world social-political realities into a brilliant unique world."
“I wanted to capture our strange relationship with the moshari — a metaphor for both safety and suffocation. The specific mix of fear, wonder and mystery of being a Bangladeshi kid restlessly poking the moshari wondering what’s on the other side. These emotions have existed for generations as folk tales and primal fears, but not in a cinematic space - not yet,” Nuhash described his motive behind this film in the ‘Director’s Note’ section on the official website of the film.
“It took over ten years for the initial seed of the idea to grow into our film, a family drama in the guise of Bengali horror,” he added.
Alongside winning the award at the 2022 ATLFF, ‘Moshari’ has also been selected for Marché du Film-Festival de Cannes and also for the SITGES Festival International de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya's Fantastic 7 segment.
Also read: 'Golui' receives screening permit in Jamalpur once again
Since 1976, the ALTFF shows a diverse range of independent films, with special attention paid to women-directed films, LGBTQ films, Latin American films, Black films and films from the American Southeast.
This year’s festival was held from April 21 to May 1, 2022.
Star Cineplex to open new branch at Bangabandhu Military Museum Thursday
Bangladesh's first multiplex chain Star Cineplex will open its latest branch at Bangabandhu Military Museum Thursday.
The branch – Star Cineplex's fifth in Dhaka – will screen movies with a single screen, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, senior manager (media and marketing) at Star Cineplex, told UNB.
It will run three shows at 11am, 1:40pm and 4:15pm, he added.
Star Cineplex now has branches at Shimanto Shambhar (Dhanmondi), Sony Square (Mirpur), SKS Tower (Mohakhali) and Bashundhara City Shopping Mall (Panthapath).
The popular cinema hall franchise is also preparing to open several other multiplexes outside Dhaka – namely, Chattogram, Cumilla and Bogura.
To enthral Bangladeshi moviegoers with world-class amenities, Star Cineplex opened its first branch on October 6, 2004, as Bangladesh's first-ever multiplex at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Dhaka.
Latest domestic and Hollywood films are regularly being screened at its citywide multiplexes.
Also read: Star Cineplex to open its maiden theatre in Chattogram next year December 24, 2021
Best Rainy Day Movies to Excite Homebound Ecstasy
Rainy Day movies can make the celebration of staying at home during the monsoon more enjoyable. This is a great way to get wet in the rain without getting your body muddy. The torrential downpour of the classic movies can make you thrilled while the lightning and thunder are roaring outside. Let's check out some wonderful movies worth watching on a rainy day.
Top 10 Rainy Day Movies to Enjoy during Monsoon
Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Tim Robbins-Morgan Freeman
There is hardly any comparison to this 1994 movie when it comes to getting ultimate Pleasure with a mind-bending story and great acting. Frank Darabont was the screenwriter and director of this adaptation of Stephen King's novel.
It is the story of an innocent man's prison life, in which he befriends a smuggler in jail for falsely accusing his wife of murder. The movie received Academy Award nominations in a total of 7 categories including Best Acting.
Read Upcoming Dhaliwood Bengali Movies on Eid-ul-Fitr 2022
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Keanu Reeves-Carrie Anne Moss
This sci-fi movie directed by the Wachowskis Sisters is associated with some significant changes in the movie industry. This 2003 film is the third installment of the Matrix Quadrilogy. When man-made machines became a nightmare for the whole of mankind, only Neo could save everyone from this.
The Matrix showed an unprecedented dystopian world through a breathtaking story. The action sequence of Neo and Agent Smith in the Rain is still an iconic scene in film history.
Read Joya Akhtar Film The Archies Featuring Big B Grandson, Sridevi Daughter, Shahrukh Daughter
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Daniel Radcliffe-Emma Watson
Any one of the Harry Potter film series is enough to enchant a rainy night. However, this version, released in 2004, is the first to feature a rain sequence in a Harry Potter movie. In this installment, Harry Potter and his friends have to deal with the horror of a frightening prisoner who just escaped.
The movie was nominated for a Visual Effect and Original Musical Score at the Academy Awards. This fantasy film is directed by Alfonso Cuarón and is based on J. K. Rowling's best selling novel of the same title.
Read Greatest Hollywood Gangster Movies of All Time
Baby driver (2017)
Ansel Elgort-Lily James
This 2017 movie is suitable for getting the feeling of riding a roller coaster while sitting at home. The movie depicts a skilled driver who, along with his girlfriend, tries to escape from the maze of the criminal world.
This action film shows some car stunts under the writing and direction of Edgar Wright. Its special achievements include the nominations for three Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and one Golden Globe Award.
Read Greatest Movies based on 1971, the Liberation War of Bangladesh
3 Idiots (2009)
Ameer Khan-Kareena Kapoor
Regardless of age, place, and time, this 2009 Bollywood blockbuster is everyone's favorite movie. The movie is directed by Rajkumar Hirani based on the concept of Chetan Bhagat's novel Five Point Someone.
This film depicts the negative aspects of the ongoing education system through the life stories of three friends from an engineering college. The humor of this film filled with some great songs will leave a residue even after the end of the movie. The commercially successful movie has been widely acclaimed nationally and internationally.
Read KGF Chapter 2: Expensive Kannada film made record for fastest grossing.
Barfi (2012)
Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra
Written and directed by Anurag Basu, this 2012 movie can instantly bring a wonderful feeling to the heart. The movie captures the brutal reality of life through the funny nuisances of a mute and deaf boy.
The film also stars Ileana D'Cruz in the lead role along with Ranbir and Priyanka. The film won a total of six awards, including Best Film at the Filmfare Awards. This romantic-comedy movie was enlisted in the row of the highest-grossing movies of 2012.
Read Greatest Films Featuring Women in Science
The Classic (2003)
Son Ye Jin-Jo In Sung
In this nonlinear screenplay, the love life of mother and daughter is shown side by side like a bioscope. The writer and director of the movie, Kwak Jae Yong, shows a great combination of love, waiting, war and tragedy.
Cho Seung Woo has also played the lead role in this Korean film with the Son Ye Jin-Jo In Sung pair. This 2003 melodrama film got 1 Blue Dragon Film, 1 Grand Bell, and 1 Korean Film Award.
Read Epic Islamic Movies Ever Made in History.
Be With You (2018)
Son Ye Jin-So Ji Sub
Little Ji Ho still believes that his mother, who passed away, will return at the beginning of a rainy season, as promised to his father. Soo Ah really comes back one day but she doesn't remember anything from her previous life.
Directed by Lee Jang Hoon, this 2018 movie is the Korean version of the 2004 Japanese film of the same title. The original story is taken from Takuji Ichikawa's novel. For those who love Korean pop culture, this romantic movie is worth watching.
Read Greatest Hollywood Detective Movies of All Times.
Police Story (1985)
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan means pulsating action stunts with lots of comedy. His Police Story franchise was started in 1985. This cop movie is about a police officer who goes to arrest a drug lord and gets involved in a dangerous situation.
There are a total of five movies in the film series and each one is very exciting. This action movie won Best Picture and Best Action Choreography at Hong Kong Film Awards.
Read Film Rajkumar: Everything about Shakib Khan’s Upcoming Movie with US Actress.
Antaheen (2009)
Rahul Bose-Radhika Apte
This Bengali movie is perfect for a romantic atmosphere in the pouring rain. The National Film Award-winning film of India is directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and written by Shyamal Sengupta.
The relationship between Abhik and Brinda was developed in the virtual world. But destiny changes just before they meet face to face in the real world. The songs in the tragedy-based movie are quite heartwarming. Even after listening once, they seem to be constantly humming in the ears.
Read Telugu Film RRR: Lifetime Record Breaker and the Pride of Indian Cinema.
Wrap Up
Grab a cup of hot coffee and watch any of these Rainy Day movies. Nothing more is needed to spend a rainy day with thrill and amusement. Before the movie starts, make sure that all the house chores are done. Repeated breaks in the movie can ruin the comfortable feeling in an instant. There is no comparison to being lost in the divine world of rain for the whole two hours in this way.