"The history of our Liberation War was distorted after the killing of the Father of the Nation on August 15, 1975. So, I’d like to request you to uphold the history before everyone that we’re the victorious nation. We snatched victory through the Liberation War. We need to make more such films so that the future generation can know about the history of our victory," she said.
Prime Minister Hasina was addressing the distribution ceremony of the National Film Awards-2019 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). She joined the function virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
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The awards were conferred upon 33 recipients under 26 categories. On the Prime Minister’s behalf, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud handed over the awards and certificates.
Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for reflection of the great achievements, history, ideology and spirit of the Liberation War in films, which she noted, can be etched in the people’s hearts through a movie or drama.
“They have great appeal," she said.
Modernising film industry
The Prime Minister said the government would do everything necessary to modernise the film industry.
"We're forming a fund to develop infrastructures up to the upazila level so that films can be screened properly there and people can get a scope of recreation," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said a fund of Tk 1,000 crore would be set up.
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“Cinema halls or cineplexes can be constructed taking loans at low interest from the fund," she said.
She called upon the filmmakers to produce films that can be enjoyed together with family. Sheikh Hasina said the good days of the cinema have come again in the world as the people are now watching films staying at their houses.
But films have to attract audience to the cinema halls as well, she said.
Noting that many cinema halls were closed, she said the government is paying special attention to not only reopen them but also to modernise them.
Sheikh Hasina said the government will put importance on the use of modern technology in the film industry to keep the pace of the digital age.
The Prime Minister said the government is giving importance to the enhancement of training facilities for the film artists so that they can produce quality films.
Karwan Bazar wholesale market to be relocated
Talking about her government's different activities to develop the film industry, the Prime Minister said they formulated the Society Registration Act 2011, the National Film Policy 2017, the Joint-Venture Film Policy 2017 and the Bangladesh Film Artists' Welfare Trust Act 2020, as well as for film production with the government's donation.
She said the government formed the Bangladesh Film Artists' Welfare Trust for the wellbeing of everyone involved in the films with the money from the trust.
Noting that the implementation of a project to develop the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation has already been started, she said the government will remove the wholesale market from Karwan Bazar to different places and enhance the beauty of the FDC area further, which is located nearby the beautiful Hatijheel.
"No Dorai" and "Fagun Haway" win Best Film award
Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to renowned actors Masud Parvez (Sohel Rana) and Kohinoor Akhter Suchanda for their remarkable contributions to the film industry.
"No Dorai" and "Fagun Haway" movies jointly won the award in the Best Film category. Mahbubur Rahman (Producer of “No Dorai”) and Shykh Seraj, on behalf of Faridur Reza Sagar (Producer of “Fagun Haway”) received the awards at the function.
Tariq Anam Khan was given the award for Best Actor in the lead role for the film "Abar Boshonto" while Sunerah Binte Kamal received the Best Actress in the lead role award for "No Dorai".
The Information Minister presided over the function, while State Minister for Information Dr Md Murad Hassan was president as the special guest.
Information Secretary Khaja Miah delivered the welcome speech at the function.