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Bangladesh to attend international mime fest in Morocco
A Bangladeshi delegate will participate in the 35th international University theatre festival at Casablanca to perform a Mime sketch.
The fest will be joined by eighth countries including Jarmany, France, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Tunisia, Bangladesh and Morocco.
Bangladesh team consists of five members of which four are from Dhaka University Mime Actoin (DUMA) and another member from another organisation—Institute of Mime and Movement.
Read: OTT platform Chorki celebrates its second anniversary
The team will be headed by an assistant professor of Communication Disorder Department of Dhaka University. Other members and actors are Mousumi Mou, Md Mahedi Hasan Sohan, Shahriar Shawon, Mir Lokman and Anamul Hoque Khandaker.
The team will present four sketches within a 40-minute time-frame.
The sketches are named as Osikriti- where the scenario of violance and negligence on women will be shown non verbally, Chair- where the attraction to power and misuse of power, Sobudh - a sketch that reflects how a man can influence and inspire people and make them conscious, Valobasha Ebong Otopor- reflecting on trending emotionless love of recent time.
In this regard, Shahriar Shawn, ex-president of DUMA also author of one of the sketches, said, "This is the first time we are going to attend an international programme in Africa. Many countries will attend the festival. We will try to present our Bengali culture in our sketches."
Read: IAB celebrates World Music Day
Team leader Tawhida Jaman, also advisor of DUMA said, "Nonverbal communication is one of the major parts of our daily life and mime is an artistic representation of nonverbal communication. It is a language of love and protest. I hope our team will perform with its best effort."
The festival will begin on July 24 at the 2nd Hasan University of Morocco. The Bangladeshi team will leave for Morocco on July 23.
In this regard, Shahriar Shaoun said, "our preparation is almost complete. We will leave Bangladesh for Morocco on july 23 and our slot has been scheduled for July 27."
OTT platform Chorki celebrates its second anniversary
Online streaming platform Chorki, which has recently garnered tremendous response as one of the leading OTT (over-the-top) platforms in Bangladesh, is stepping towards its third year.
The platform officially began its journey on July 12, 2021, during the challenging periods of the Covid-19 global pandemic - a time when OTT platforms became a premier medium of entertainment for audiences.
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According to Chorki, the platform has released more than 80 original content within these two years of its journey. The platform not only worked with senior and renowned directors but also came into the spotlight numerous times featuring many notable works of newcomers, an approach that has also been discussed and appreciated in the entertainment industry.
In the second year, the original series 'Guti', 'Internship', 'Myself Allen Swapan', as well as the original movies such as ‘Unish 20', 'Antonagar', 'Dui Diner Duniya' have been well received by the audience.
Besides, Chorki also received enormous appraisal from both audiences and critics for its original movies 'Taan', 'Redrum', 'Ei Muhurte' and series 'Shaaticup', 'Syndicate', 'Unoloukik', 'Jago Bahe' and more.
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Regarding its two years journey, acclaimed television director and Chief Executive Officer of Chorki, Redwan Roni, highlighted the various difficulties and situations at the beginning of the platform.'We entered this space with the conviction that we will present Bengali content like never before and we will make it the capital equivalent of Bengali content in the world. It feels great to think that in just two years, we've come a long way towards that dream.”
Redwan also said, 'We are blessed with the love, success and acceptance Chorki has received from the audience in these two years. All these are possible because of Chorki's great content. With the contribution of Chorki's entire team, sponsors, and well-wishers, our journey has become easier and smoother.”
Chorki can be explored from smart TV, mobile phone, tab, and laptop through its app and website. Chorki subscriptions are bought and enjoyed by viewers from all over the world using 31 currencies from 198 countries.
9 Bangladeshi youths get conferred with prestigious Diana Award 2023
Addressing the paradigm-shifting roles of youths across the world and their impactful works, the 2023 Diana Award on Friday put the spotlight on over 189 youths including nine Bangladeshi young changemakers for their social actions and humanitarian efforts.
Considered one of the most prestigious accolades a young person aged 9-25 years can receive for social or humanitarian actions, the award is established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.
The nine Bangladeshi changemakers who received this year’s award are Abdullah Al Hasan Dipto (23) for Pathchola Foundation, Ahnaf Abrar Husain (17) for Bhoroshasthol, Rituraj Bhowmick (10) for Baap Ka Beta, Jyotirmoyee Das Nova (24) for Wise Bangladesh, F M Farhan Faiyaz (24) for Porikolpona Foundation, S M Mobin Sikder (23) for Science Bee, Jahir Rayhan (24) for Youth For Change, Sk Shoaibur Rahaman (24) for Agri-Science Society (AgSS) and Nishat Sultana Chowdhury (24) for Ek Takay Shikkha.
Both His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and sons of the late Princess Diana, delivered recorded video messages to the young awardees receiving the Diana Award in memory of their mother.
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These exceptional young leaders are transforming their communities, driving lasting change and creating a fairer, more equitable society for all. This year, the award recognizes youths from countries including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, Georgia, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, UAE, United States, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.
Their causes and backgrounds are varied, but they are united in their innate desire to affect positive change, mobilising and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
Sharing his feelings over this prestigious achievement, S M Mobin Sikder, founder of Science Bee which is considered the world's largest Bengali language science-based educational platform, told UNB that he is honoured and thrilled over this achievement.
“This recognition not only fills my heart with joy but also reflects the significant impact Science Bee, the organization I founded, has had on the youth of Bangladesh. As I receive this news, I am overwhelmed with a mix of emotions – joy, pride, and gratitude. This award symbolizes the impact we can have when we work together towards a common goal,” Mobin told UNB.
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Through Science Bee, Mobin has also created Bangladesh's largest science-based website with 200,000 registered students and 40,000 daily learners. Mobin and his Science Bee team have impacted more than 10 million Bengali-speaking students from over 30 countries and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to community development and achieving sustainable development goals.
“For me, this serves as a reminder that even small steps can lead to significant achievements. I am truly humbled and inspired to continue my journey, using this recognition as a catalyst to further ignite the passion for science in young minds and make a lasting difference in the world. Thanks to everyone who has played a part in this incredible milestone,” he told UNB.
The Diana Awards follow a rigorous nomination process in which the award recipients are put forward by adults who know the eligibles in a professional capacity and recognised their efforts as a positive contribution to society. These nominators had to demonstrate the nominee’s impact in five key areas: Vision, Social Impact, Inspiring Others, Youth Leadership, and Service Journey.
A total of 20 panels, each consisting of three judges who understand the value of the youth, including one young person representative, determine which nominations from each region or nation will receive the award, according to the official website of the Diana Awards.
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London prosecutor calls Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey 'a sexual bully' who preys on men
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey got a thrill preying on other men and escalated his behavior from touchy-feely advances to hostile fondling and worse, a prosecutor told jurors Friday during Spacey's sexual assault trial in London.
Spacey is "a man who does not respect personal boundaries or space, a man who it would seem delights in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable — a sexual bully," prosecutor Christine Agnew said in her opening statement. "His preferred method of assault is, it appears, to grab aggressively other men in the crotch."
Spacey, 63, has pleaded not guilty to a dozen charges involving four men and allegations that date from 2001 to 2013, when he worked at London's Old Vic Theatre. The charges include sexual assault, indecent assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
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The stakes for the American actor are high. A conviction could send him to prison, while an acquittal could allow for a career comeback.
Defense lawyer Patrick Gibbs said Spacey denied all allegations of nonconsensual activity and told jurors to ask themselves as they listened to the evidence what — if anything — had occurred when he was with the men. He suggested the alleged victims had other motives and said that Spacey had left himself open to opportunists when he came out as gay in 2020.
"What has been reimagined with a sinister spin?" Gibbs said. "What has been made up or twisted and why and when because all of these allegations happened a long time ago."
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He said jurors would hear truths, half-truths, deliberate exaggerations and "many damned lies."
Spacey, wearing spectacles and dressed in a light gray suit, white shirt and gold tie, leaned forward behind a window in the dock, listening intently as his lawyer provided a brief overview of the case. Gibbs will present a longer opening statement after the prosecution rests its case.
The actor served as the Old Vic Theatre's artistic director from 2003 until 2015. The four men who have accused Spacey of sexual assault, now in their 30s or 40s, did not know each other, but all "had the misfortune to attract" his attention, Agnew said.
One victim said he was frequently groped against his wishes by Spacey in the early 2000s, culminating with a day when he was driving and the actor, who had been drinking, grabbed his privates so hard it took his breath away and he nearly ran off the road. He told Spacey to never do that again.
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Spacey "laughed and commented that his getting angry simply turned him on," Agnew said.
Spacey narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips as Agnew spoke, occasionally jotting notes with a pencil on the pages of a large black binder he carried into court.
During questioning by police last year, Spacey said he was "baffled and deeply hurt" by those allegations from someone he considered a friend. He said the events had been reimagined into lies.
Agnew said Spacey seemed to be confident the men wouldn't tell anyone — that the word of a celebrity would be more believable than from someone who wasn't famous.
"None of the men wanted to be touched by Kevin Spacey ... in a sexual way, but he doesn't seem to have cared very much for their feelings," the prosecutor said. "He did what he wanted to do for his own personal sexual gratification."
Another man who said Spacey groped him at a charity event in 2005 only told one friend about it until speaking with police in 2017.
"Kevin Spacey ... was a star, a golden boy as he put it," Agnew said about the man. "He wasn't sure he would be believed, and even if he had been, he didn't think that he would receive any support."
In his statement to police, Spacey said he hadn't done anything without consent. He said it was "entirely possible and indeed likely" he had made a "clumsy pass" but denied grabbing anyone's crotch. He suggested some of the men were seeking financial gain.
An aspiring actor who said he reached out to Spacey for career advice ended up at his London apartment drinking beer and smoking marijuana in 2008. He either fell asleep or passed out on the sofa and when he awoke, Spacey was performing oral sex on him, Agnew said.
The man, who was in his early 20s, said Spacey told him not to tell anyone what had happened and not to mention he had been in Spacey's apartment. The man said he was in shock as Spacey held the door open for him to leave, and that he then walked to a bus stop where he sat down and cried.
He decided to speak with police in 2017 after reading about allegations against Spacey in the U.S., Agnew said.
Spacey's career was derailed when sexual misconduct allegations against him arose as the #MeToo movement exploded. He was written off the Netflix political thriller "House of Cards," where he played lead character Frank Underwood, a ruthless and corrupt congressman who becomes president. He was cut from the completed film "All the Money in the World," with the scenes getting reshot with Christopher Plummer.
A jury of nine men and five women, including two alternates, will decide his fate during the four-week trial in Southwark Crown Court, where he is identified by his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler. The actor, who has homes in London and the U.S., is free on bail.
Spacey became one of the most celebrated actors of his generation in the 1990s, starring in films including "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "LA Confidential."
He has earned multiple prominent acting awards for the theater, the silver screen and television. He won an Academy Award for supporting actor in "The Usual Suspects" in 1995 and best actor Oscar for the 1999 movie "American Beauty."
Spacey recently had his first film role in several years, appearing in 2022 in Italian director Franco Nero's "The Man Who Drew God," and playing the late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman in the biopic "Once Upon a Time in Croatia." He also stars in the unreleased U.S. film "Peter Five Eight."
He has suggested he would be in demand if he is acquitted.
"There are people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared of these charges," Spacey said in an interview published this month in Germany's Zeit magazine.
Agnew told jurors they would have to evaluate the credibility of the victims and decide if they were telling the truth or manufacturing allegations for profit.
"The prosecution suggest that Mr. Spacey ... abused the power and influence that his reputation and fame afforded him," Agnew said. "Taking what and who he wanted, when he wanted."
IAB celebrates World Music Day
The Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) organised a captivating musical evening marking World Music Day at the IAB Center in Agargaon of Dhaka on Wednesday.
The event showcased the rich musical traditions and talents of Bengal, encompassing a diverse range of genres such as modern, band, pop, jazz, folk, Nazrul songs, and Rabindra Sangeet.
With the slogan "music must be free; doubtless," the IAB organised the event in solidarity with 110 countries around the world in their shared love for music. The tradition of celebrating World Music Day originated on June 21, 1985, when Europe initiated the festivities, and it has since been embraced by people worldwide.
Read: Rahul Ananda, Max Vandervorst enthrall audiences as AFD celebrates World Music Day
This day serves as an occasion to celebrate the art of music and the cultural diversity it represents. It is a day for people of all backgrounds, regardless of caste, religion, or colour, to unite and experience the transformative power of music.
"We are delighted to celebrate the diverse genres of Bengali music on this special day," according to an IAB media release issued on Thursday.
Read: World Music Day to be celebrated Saturday at AFD
Music serves as a constant companion, akin to a good friend, always by people's side. It is often referred to as the universal language as it transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries, it reads.
Among others, IAB vice president for national affairs Prof Ali Naqi and its secretary for heritage and culture Mohammed Ziaul Sharif were present on the occasion.
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Rahul Ananda, Max Vandervorst enthrall audiences as AFD celebrates World Music Day
In celebration of the World Music Day 2023, a multidisciplinary musical and theatrical performance titled "Made in Bangladesh" by Max Vandervorst of Belgium and Rahul Ananda of Bangladesh was staged Tuesday night at the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Dhanmondi in the capital.
Popular Bangladeshi musician and ‘Joler Gaan’ frontman Rahul Ananda and Belgian musician-artist Max Vandervost have collaborated on this multidisciplinary music and theater project celebrating the day, titled 'Made in Bangladesh'.
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In this project, they used and merged different parts of the rickshaw and bicycle to create euphonic harmony, enthralling the audiences. This project has been in development at Alliance Française de Dhaka premises for the past week as they have worked together to make it a reality.
The one-hour performance featured a theatrical journey of a boy fascinated with bicycles, as well as a musical battle between Bangladeshi and Belgian artistes.
The project is part of the EUNIC cluster in Bangladesh (Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut, British Council, Spanish Embassy, and Embassy of the Netherlands) and the EU Delegation in Bangladesh.
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Also sponsored by SUEZ international and I’M Export Ltd, the project’s featured artist Max Vandervorst is a composer and inventor of musical instruments. He has put together several performances, showcasing instruments he created using a wide variety of objects as raw material since 1988.
His musical numbers including “Symphony for Abandoned Objects”, “Concerto for Two Bicycles”, “The Man from Spa”, and “The Paper Orchestra”, have all been performed numerous times in many different countries including Bangladesh.
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The other half in the duo, Rahul Ananda, born in Habiganj in Sylhet, is the lyricist, composer, and vocalist of the vastly popular band ‘Joler Gaan’ in Bangladesh. The band has garnered polarizing popularity across the country through making new instruments and sometimes customizing foreign ones.
The instruments of Joler Gaan are usually portable and do not require electric wires and jacks. Besides, Rahul Ananda plays the flute, clarinet, and mandola. The fine art graduate is also a freelance visual artist and theater activist.
The event will be followed by another performance today at the French International School of Dhaka.
Symon-Mahi's LIVE movie is coming to Bongo!
On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, popular streaming platform Bongo is bringing "Live", a psycho-thriller movie loosely based on a true event. The movie was released in theaters across the country in September last year. Now viewers will be able to enjoy the movie online through the Bongo app.
After Poramon and Jannat, the popular duo Symon-Mahi are back on the screen with the movie "Live".
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Directed by Shamim Ahamed Roni the movie is produced by Shapla Media. It also stars Adar Azad, Khairul Bashar, Shiba Shanu, Amin Sarkar and Saberi Alam.
Someone gets killed in the family of Milon (Symon) and Joya (Mahi). Who killed him and what was his motive? This murder mystery is the central theme of the movie "Live". Moreover there are some pleasant twists and turns for the audience.
Mahiya Mahi's performance in the movie "Live" has already won cinema-goers' praise. Symon Sadik's exceptional performance impressed the audience as well. Shiva Shanu, a famous actor for negative roles in Bengali cinema, this time broke free from his typecast and portrayed the role of a DB officer. The movie also starred Adar Azad, a young star of this time. He surprised the audience with his sharp performance.
Read: Alliance Française de Dhaka celebrates ‘Fête de la Musique 2023’
To know the details you have to watch the movie "Live" on the Bongo App.
Father's Day 2023: Entertainment stars on social media, in reminiscence of loving fathers
On Sunday, people across the world are celebrating World Father's Day 2023 as the day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June every year. Although every child is cherished to the fullest extent by the father and love for the father cannot be confined to one day, World Father's Day is observed annually to add a little extra meaning to the relationship with this figure of trust in everyone's lives.
Marking the occasion of Father's Day, some of the popular entertainment stars of Bangladesh reminisce about their fathers which they shared with fans through their Facebook posts.
Read: Alliance Française de Dhaka celebrates ‘Fête de la Musique 2023’
Prominent actor Chanchal Chowdhury has recently lost his father, and marking the occasion of Father's Day 2023, the actor shared a photo of his father with a heartfelt caption: "How dark, faded the world is for a child without a father... only the child who has lost his father knows that. Father's Day has been a sea of salty tears to me since this year, similar to the wail of a crying child."
"On this occasion, I pray that may all fathers rest in peace in this world or hereafter. Respect to all fathers," he wrote.
Popular web series 'Mohanagar'-famed director Ashfaque Nipun wrote, "Happy Father’s Day Abbu. I wish I could show you off to the world how handsome you were, your swag and the great taste in music, cinema & arts you had. Thanks you have instilled all your aesthetics in me and I take great pride that I look like you. Thanks for being the rock-solid base in our lives even if you left very very early. You are the best father I could’ve asked for. Love you."
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Singer Ankhi Alamgir shared a Facebook Reels video wishing his father and eminent silver screen actor Alamgir on Saturday. The video is a collage with photographs of the father-daughter duo alongside the family members, as well as some of his career highlights as an actor.
Sharing a photo with her father and family members, actress Ashna Habib Bhabna wrote, "Early Father’s Day lunch. The most important thing in the world is family and love.… Alhamdulillah for everything."
Model and actress Shabnam Faria shared a photo with her late father, writing, "Happy Father’s to all the amazing fathers … Rabbir Hamhuma Kama Rabba Yani Sagheera…"
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Besides, many other stars and celebrities have also been sharing their favourite moments with their fathers on Facebook and other social media sites such as Instagram as well.
Alliance Française de Dhaka celebrates ‘Fête de la Musique 2023’
French language and cultural institution Alliance Française de Dhaka has celebrated the ‘Fête de la Musique 2023’, globally known as World Music Day with a series of musical performances in its La Galerie on Saturday,
The Fête de la Musique, also known in English as Music Day, Make Music Day or World Music Day, is an annual music celebration. Introduced in 1982, the Fête de la Musique is observed on June 21, which is the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.
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The event was open to any participant be they amateur or professional musicians who wished to perform, and it also featured seasoned Belgian music composer-artist Max Vendervorst, alongside Bangladeshi artists such as Rahul Ananda, Mizanuddin Khan, Rahin Haider and more.
Like every year, Alliance Française de Dhaka is organising several musical concerts, showcasing both solo and group performances.
The next event, a multidisciplinary musical and theatrical performance titled Made in Bangladesh by Rahul Ananda and Max Vandervorst will take place at AFD on June 20 and French International School of Dhaka - EFID (Ecole Française Internationale de Dacca) on June 21.
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Aiming to integrate through the universal language of melody and rhythm, the Fête de la Musique inspires an overture to a participative lyrical voyage by putting forward thousands of free concerts all over the world.
World Music Day to be celebrated Saturday at AFD
Alliance Française de Dhaka is going to celebrate “Fête de la Musique 2023” which is globally known as 'World Music Day' with a series of musical performances in its La Galerie on Saturday from 4.30 pm to 9:00 pm.
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The Fête de la Musique is open to any participant—be they amateur or professional musicians— who wish to perform in this joyful event. All the participating musicians are asked to perform for free, and all of the concerts are free to the public.
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Like every year, Alliance Française de Dhaka is organising several musical concerts — both solo and group performances. Fête de la Musique brings about a great opportunity to immerse and participate in a musical expedition by offering thousands of free concerts all over the world.