Movie
21st Dhaka International Film Fest begins Saturday showcasing work from 71 countries
Showcasing 252 films from 71 countries, the 21st Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) will begin Saturday (January 14, 2023).
One hundred and twenty-nine full-length feature films and one hundred and twenty-three short and independent films are scheduled to enthral the moviegoers at the festival.
Bangladesh will be represented at the festival through 81 films, including 12 full-length feature films and 69 short and independent films.
Read more: Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association finally begins journey with full panel
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will inaugurate the festival as the chief guest at the main auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum at 4pm.
Prime Minister's Private Industries and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman will join the ceremony as the special guest, which will be presided over by State Minister for Foreign Affairs and DIFF chief patron Shahriar Alam.
"Rainbow Film Society has been organising the DIFF every year since 1992 with support from different organisations. Unfortunately, that support is dwindling," festival director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal said at a press conference in the capital Thursday.
Read more: It's a 'Dream Run' to Florida film fest!
"To continue this acclaimed festival in the future, we need proper financial assistance from the government and elite members of society and corporations, the driving force behind every other successful film festival across the world."
About the unavailability of suitable venues for the festival, newly elected Jatiya Press Club (JPC) General Secretary Shyamal Dutta said the JPC is going to serve as one of the venues for the upcoming edition of the DIFF.
Films will be screened at the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib auditorium (main auditorium) and Poet Sufia Kamal auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum, National Art Gallery auditorium, Nandan Theatre open ground and Jatiya Sangeet and Nrityakala auditorium of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Star Cineplex (Bashundhara City) and Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (Dhanmondi) in the capital.
Read More: Indian Movie RRR’s Success at Golden Globe 2023
They will be screened under nine categories – Asian cinema competition section, retrospective, wide angle, Bangladesh panorama, cinema of the world, children's films, women filmmakers, short and independent films and spiritual films.
The 21st DIFF will also feature the Ninth Dhaka International Conference on Women in Cinema 2023 at the Samson Lounge, Dhaka Club, from January 15 to 16 and West Meets East: Screenplay Lab from January 15 to 18 at Alliance Francaise de Dhaka.
This year, the festival will also host a day-long master class for the first time on January 21 at Bangladesh National Museum. It will be led by filmmakers Jon Jost from the US and Anja Strelec from Belgium.
Read More: 2022 Highest Grossing Movies Worldwide
There will also be a special session where script pitching, film studies, and practical filmmaking experience will be discussed by Sadia Khalid Reeti and filmmaker Tasmiah Afrin Mou. Bidhan Rebeiro will conduct the master class sessions.
The 21st Dhaka International Film Festival will draw to a close on January 22.
5 Must-Watch Movies of Rajinikanth
Dadasaheb Phalke and Padma Bhushan-awarded South Indian Star Rajinikanth is the most successful actor in the Indian film industry. The original name of this man from Karnataka was Shivaji Rao Gaekwad who got his acting chops through Kannada mythological plays. And it was the time when he caught the attention of Tamil film director K Balachander.
Then with the 1975 Tamil film Apoorva Ragangal directed by Balachander, Rajinikanth's film career began. And it was this Balachander who gave Rajinikanth his stage name ‘Rajinikanth’. Almost all of Rajinikanth's films have an impeccable style of punchlines.
Let's check out the most popular movies of this veteran actor on his 72nd birthday.
Top 5 Most Memorable Films of South Indian Star Rajinikanth
Billa (1980)
This R Krishnamurthy-directed action-thriller is a remake of the 1978 Hindi film Don starring Amitabh Bachchan. After this movie, Rajinikanth became the Tamil version of Bachchan in the Kollywood industry. He manages to master Bachchan's angry young man style quite well. However, Rajinikanth himself took Bachchan as his inspiration. Rajinikanth started acting in dual roles for the first time through this cinema.
Read More: 10 Best South Indian Movies Releasing in December 2022
This blockbuster movie was a major turning point in his acting career. Since the release of the film, a new Rajinikanth has emerged in the eyes of critics. Billa’s highest-grossing figure in 1980 established Rajinikanth as the top star of southern cinema.
This movie started the gangster hero trend in Tamil cinema. In old movies, the audience was usually shown the hero's backstory where the hero was a victim of social problems and committed crimes. Billa, on the contrary, is a complete exception to that, where the hero enjoys committing crimes. And Rajinikanth played the character flawlessly.
Chandramukhi (2005)
This commercially successful horror comedy film was written and directed by P Vasu.
The 1993 Malayalam movie Manchitrathajhu was remade by Vasu himself in Kannada in 2004 as Aptamitra. And this Chandramukhi is the Tamil version of that Aptamitra. Rajinikanth's co-artists here were Jyothika and Nayanthara.
Read More: Jaya Ahsan’s Bollywood debut confirmed as photos emerge with Pankaj Tripathi, other co-actors
Over 25 Toyota Qualis and 30 stunt artists were used in Rajinikanth's fight sequences in the film. It ran in theaters for 890 consecutive days, making the movie the longest-running South Indian film. The film was released in several languages, including German and Turkish. However, the entire credit behind this was due to Rajinikanth's stardom.
Rajinikanth won a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for his portrayal of Vettaiyan Raja. The film won four more awards at the Tamil Nadu State Film Festival. The movie also showcased two Filmfare Awards and four Film Fans Association Awards. The film is one of the limited numbers of South Indian films to have grossed over Rs 100 crore at the worldwide box office.
‘Black Adam’ alights at Star Cineplex
‘Black Adam,’ one of the most anticipated Hollywood movies in 2022 starring popular actor Dwayne Johnson, hit US theatres on Friday (October 21, 2022) as well as Star Cineplex in Bangladesh.
The superhero movie is a spin-off of Shazam! (2019), the 11th movie in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and the first movie in the franchise's Phase One, based on the same-named DC Comics character.
A ‘Shazam!’ spin-off produced by Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema, ‘Brack Adam’ first debuted in DC Comics in the 1940s as a villain; however, in 2000, it was re-introduced as an anti-hero.
Read Star Cineplex's Awesome Autumn gives moviegoers chance to win trip to Maldives.
The character of Black Adam, portrayed by wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, possessed divine abilities from the Egyptian gods. After being freed from the earth for approximately five thousand years, he returned to the modern world to take part in an exciting conflict over justice and retaliation, crossing the path with the Justice Society of America (JAS).
Dwayne Johnson, the main draw as the title character, is appearing in a DC Comics movie for the first time with this film. In addition to this, Pierce Brosnan, the former James Bond actor, is also playing a special character in the film.
Moviegoers and DCEU fans in Bangladesh have been eagerly waiting to see the powerful anti-hero in the theatres.
Marking the release, Star Cineplex arranged a gala press premiere on Thursday (October 20, 2022) night at its SKS Tower branch in the capital which was joined by journalists from different media outlets alongside popular celebrities and social media influencers.
Read New Releases: Top 10 South Indian Movies to Watch in October 2022
“Previously, it was unthinkable for moviegoers in our country to watch the most eagerly awaited Hollywood productions on the day of their international premiere. Star Cineplex brought that opportunity to its fans and now we are premiering the biggest Hollywood films on the same day of their global releases, and we will continue this trend for our moviegoers,” Star Cineplex parent company ShowMotion Limited Chairman Mahboob Rahman Ruhel said at the event.
He also informed that the Cineplex is bringing two of the next most-anticipated Hollywood films in the upcoming months - the celebrated Marvel Comics superhero ‘Black Panther’ sequel ‘Wakanda Forever’ in November, and ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ in December, the second installation of the groundbreaking American epic science-fiction film ‘Avatar’ (2009), directed by James Cameron.
Star Cineplex is now showing the film ‘Black Adam’ across all of its five branches in the capital - Bashundhara City in Panthapath, Shimanto Shambhar in Dhanmondi, Sony Square in Mirpur, SKS Tower, Mohakhali and Bangabandhu Military Museum in Bijoy Sarani.
Read Star Cineplex's Awesome Autumn gives moviegoers chance to win trip to Maldives.
'Golpo Bolar Swadhinata Chai': Artists place five-point demands
The artists have taken a swipe against the recent "attacks" on films such as "Hawa" and "Saturday Afternoon."
At the press conference "Golpo Bolar Swadhinata Chai" at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital Thursday, they questioned the lawsuit for allegedly violating wildlife conservation laws by the Forest Department's Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit against “Hawa” Director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon and demanding a proper explanation for why Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s much-anticipated film "Saturday afternoon" is stuck at the Bangladesh Film Censor Board.
The artists put forward a five-point demand.
A large number of artists joined the press conference, uniquely designed with barbed wire-fenced tables, organized by the country's entertainment industry's producers, artists, and associates. They demanded freedom of expression for Bangladeshi entertainment content, as well as justice for the two films - "Saturday Afternoon" and "Hawa."
Popular artists and content makers, including Nasir Uddin Yousuff, Jaya Ahsan, Chanchal Chowdhury, Morshedul Islam, Tariq Anam Khan, Afsana Mimi, Shampa Reza, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, Zahid Hasan, Nurul Alam Atique, Masum Reza, Kamar Ahmad Simon, Piplu R Khan, Gias Uddin Selim, Gousul Alam Shaon, Iresh Zaker, Afran Nisho, Azmeri Haque Badhan, Zakia Bari Momo, Nazifa Tushi, and singer Shibu Kumer Shill among others, joined the press conference on Thursday.
The five demands are immediate withdrawal of the case against "Hawa" under wildlife conservation laws, a well-justified explanation from the censor board on why "Saturday Afternoon" is not cleared by the censor board and not getting a clearance certificate, the abolishment of the censor board alongside the implementation of an updated and inclusive film certification law with the participation and consultation of all stakeholders, establishment of an updated and inclusive OTT policy with the participation and consultation of all stakeholders and assurance of prior notice before filing any case related to film or content, which must be discussed with the relevant authority.
Expressing concerns against the ongoing situations, artists and content makers opined that visual arts, such as film, cannot be created with passion and perfection if such barriers are put forward.
“Saturday Afternoon” Director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “It’s been three years, yet I did not receive any logical explanation on why “Saturday Afternoon” is not cleared by the censor board. We have appealed against the decision from time to time, yet the situation is not resolved and our film did not get the censor certificate.”
“Films are like the headlights of society, and society cannot move forward nor progress if the headlights are forcefully turned off. We sincerely demand the release of our film from the censor board,” Farooki added.
Echoing the same, Jaya Ahsan said, “We don’t understand why this film is not cleared for this long. Didn't the Holey Artisan event take place in reality? A novel has been published on the incident, why can't we get the release of “Saturday Afternoon” about the same issue? This film has been unnecessarily put under the fire for no logical reason at all.”
Demanding justice against “Hawa,” she added: "Personally, I am known for being an animal advocate. In our surroundings, if we look at the pet market in the capital’s Nilkhet-Kataban area, animals are being treated inhumanely. What is the concerned authority doing in this regard? Films are fiction, should we stop making films?"
The artists and content makers expressed their aspiration to see prompt actions from the concerned authorities to resolve the issues and fulfilment of their five-point demands.
Also read: Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa
Wind of 'Hawa' blows full
Moviegoers drifted with the wind of "Hawa" as Mejbaur Rahman Sumon's debut film, one of the most-anticipated Bangladeshi cinemas in recent times, hit theatres of the country Friday.
Despite not being released during any major festivity, the film garnered an overwhelming response from the audience before and after its release. On the first day of its screening, Hawa hit 23 theatres all over Bangladesh and had 66 houseful shows.
In Dhaka, Hawa is being showcased at nine theatres, including all branches of Star Cineplex – Bashundhara City in Panthapath, Shimanto Shambhar in Dhanmondi, Sony Square in Mirpur, SKS Tower, Mohakhali and Bangabandhu Military Museum in Bijoy Sarani – Shyamoli Cinema Hall, Modhumita, Blockbuster Cinemas, and Lion Cinemas.
Tickets were sold out in most of these theatres almost two-three days ago. Massive crowds, eager to set sail with Hawa, were seen in front of the ticket counters in almost every theatre.
There will be 23 showings of Hawa at Star Cineplex on its opening day. This is the first time that a movie will have this many showings upon its launch at the Cineplex, whose website was down due to the volume of people trying to buy tickets.
"After so many days, Bangla movie fans have been to the cinema in such big numbers," Star Cineplex Senior Manager (Media and Marketing) Mesbah Uddin Ahmed told UNB.
"Although there is a big audience for foreign films, Bangla films are now thriving as well and we feel really proud to see massive crowds of movie fans. I hope they will keep coming back to watch Bangla movies."
"Our film has had houseful shows across the country. I am overwhelmed. I have not seen this kind of hype around a movie in the last two decades," Chanchal Chowdhury, who portrays the role of Chan Majhi, the leader of a group of fishermen stuck on a fishing boat, told the media after the screening of Hawa at Star Cineplex.
"Only those who watch Hawa will realise what we had to go through to bring the movie to the theatre. It has never been easy."
"Now many people are coming to the movie theatres to watch the result of our hard work and determination. There cannot be a greater reward than this for us," Chanchal said.
Read: 10 Best Upcoming Bengali Movies in Eid-ul-Adha 2022
Outside Dhaka, Hawa is being showcased in Sena Auditorium in Savar, Cinescope in Narayanganj, Silver Screen, Sugondha, Cinema Palace in Chattogram, Shankha Cinema and Liberty Cineplex in Khulna, Rupkotha in Pabna, Roots Cineclub in Sirajganj, Shapla in Rangpur, Modhuban Cinema and Momo in Bogura, Chhayabani in Mymensingh, and Borsha Cinema in Gazipur, and Grand Sylhet Cineplex in Sylhet.
Hawa revolves around a water gipsy girl who appears unannounced on a fishing boat that has become trapped in the middle of the ocean while narrating a metaphysical story. The film features Chanchal, Nazifa Tushi, Sariful Islam Raaz, Sumon Anwar, Nasir Uddin Khan, and Sohel Mondal in the lead roles.
Sukarna Sahed Dhiman, Zahin Faruq Amin, and Sumon wrote the screenplay. Sumon wrote the story and dialogue.
Produced by Sun Music and Motion Pictures and distributed by Jazz Multimedia, Hawa's song "Shada Shada Kala Kala," written and tuned by Hashim Mahmud, and "E Hawa," Meghdol's tribute to the film, swayed the nation towards the movie.
"Ratsasan aka Noropishach" starring Vishnu Vishal & Amala Paul set to give goosebumps
Have you heard of Jack the Ripper, England's infamous serial killer who ran on a killing spree overnight?
Then you may have heard of Russia's serial killer No.1, the "Siberian Ripper" too.
Bongo's movie of the month is "Ratsasan" aka Bangla Dubbed "Noropishach" - a South Indian blockbuster psychodrama thriller from 2018 starring Vishnu Vishal and Amala Paul and based on a true serial killer story, said a media release.
Don't miss this movie of the week coming this Friday July 8, 2022; if you are a fan of the scary, thrill & chill, and shivers down your spine! Awestruck for all dark film fans 100% guaranteed!
The story is about passionate film director Arun Kumar.
Constant rejections in his attempt to pursue a career in filmmaking, and his family constraints, force Arun to let go of his dream and take up a job as a police sub-inspector.
While adjusting to his new job role, the city becomes agitated by the news of a brutal serial killer targeting young high school girls.
Using his skills as a screenwriter and putting himself in the killer's mind, Arun links the clues that direct him to the mass murderer.
However, the inspector in charge, Lakkhi, doesn't believe in Arun’s unorthodox methods and profiler skills.
But when the police unit is struck by personal loss caused by the serial killer, the police chief Kamol desperately appoints Arun to find the criminal.
The storyline for the dark psycho thriller, directed by Ram Kumar, was developed over four years.
A lot of research on serial killers was implemented into the plot.
Read: 10 Best Upcoming Bengali Movies in Eid-ul-Adha 2022
Especially the story of the Russian "Siberian Ripper" Alexander Nikolayevich Spesivtsev who brutally killed more than 15 children inspired Kumar to realize "Ratsasan aka Noropishach".
The film starring Amala Paul and Vishnu Vishal was released on 5 October 2018.
It received critical acclaim from the audience, and became a big commercial success.
Besides the thrill, the movie also offers obligatory romance.
The Heroine is Amala Paul who plays the character of Bithi, a teacher which Arun is smitten by.
The music by Ghibran is notable too.
The romantic parts are nicely blended while the spooky, almost wall-to-wall score actually amps up the tension and lends an edge-of-the-seat vibe to the story.
About this movie of the month, Bongo's Head of Licensing and Distribution, Karoline Hoeppner, said, "Our movie Ratsasan (Bangla dubbed "Noropishach") is not for the faint- hearted."
The director doesn’t hold back when it comes to violence and the music and editing emphasizes the violence even more.
Bongo brings South Indian film 'NGK'
Video streaming platform Bongo released Sai Pallavi and Suriya's political film ''NGK," dubbed in Bangla, Friday.
The story revolves around an honest good doer whose life becomes a living hell due to the political conspiracy, selfishness and corruption surrounding him.
Nanda Gopal Kumar (Suriya), nicknamed NGK, is an environmental engineering graduate who resigns from his job to take up organic farming.
NGK is a do-gooder who always has people's welfare and best interest in mind. The youngsters of his small-town look up to him as a role model. He lives with his loving parents and a caring but possessive wife (Sai Pallavi).
However, the local politicians envy NGK's reach among the local youth. Ultimately a clash between city politicians and NGK erupts.
NGK was released in theatres on May 31, 2019.
Popular streaming platform Amazon Prime released the movie in Tamil on July 5, 2019, on their OTT platform. It is the first Tamil movie released in South Korea and Japan.
Also read: Bongo brings Turkish series 'Hercai' as 'Rehana'
Dhanus’s hit movie of month coming as Karnan-Bidrohi
Bongo is presenting the Tamil movie of the month 'Karnan' which is based on a story written and directed by Mari Selvaraj.
Viewers will be able to enjoy the blockbuster "Karnan-Bidrohi" in Bangla for free from June 10 on the Bongo OTT platform.
This highly inspirational film is a cocktail of action, drama and undoubtedly powerful acting surge. The story is based upon a village rebel Karnan belonging to a poor village who revolts against the mistreatment of lower classes by the upper class and high-ranking police officials, said a media release.
Read: Smartphones are changing the filmmaking landscape for youth: Amitabh Reza
Popular Tamil Superstar Dhanush and Rajisha Vijayan play the lead roles. Other renowned appearances are Gouri Kishan, Lal, Yogi Babu, Nataraja Subramanian, Gouri Kishan, Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli, Azhagam Perumal, and many more.
'Karnan', first theatrical release was held on April 9, 2021. Later on, 14 May, 2021 it was published digitally on the OTT platform Amazon Prime.
The story narrates how Karnan became his people's hero, how oppression can be insidious, and how the bureaucracy stands by the side of the oppressor and even takes part in the oppression. The plot revolves around the village Podiyankulam.
When the village is refused a bus stop, the oppressed village rises with the help of Karnan to fight this injustice.
Read: ‘Talash’ to hit screens on June 17
Karoline Hoeppner, Head of Licensing and Distribution, Bongo, said, "After Rajnikanth's action loaded Kabali, we are now launching Dhanush's Karnan. The title translates as Bidrohi and is about a simple man who fights injustice and becomes the hero of his village.”
Hoeppner also said, “We all love movies where the good wins against bad, or the small wins over the big. The movie setting is a village with upper- and lower-class families - A place where oppression and privilege intersect. Please watch "Karnan-Bidrohi" on Bongo to see how the villagers boldly stand up against the decision making by the establishment when it all boils down."
'JK 1971' official teaser released
The official teaser of Fakhrul Arefeen Khan's film "JK 1971," Bangladesh's first English language movie on the 1971 Liberation War, was released online Saturday.
The 1 minute 16 second teaser was released on Gorai Film's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Based on a true incident, the film features the real-life story of Jean Kay, a young Frenchman, who hijacked a plane of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) just after the vehicle took off on December 3, 1971, in Paris, demanding 20 tonnes of emergency child medicine for Bangladeshi refugees during the Liberation War.
"This is really an exciting moment for us as we recently completed our post-production work. The audience reaction after the release of the teaser tells us that we need to bring this film to theatres as soon as possible," Arefeen told UNB.
Also, the "Bhubon Majhi" and "Gondi" director said the official trailer will be released in September this year, and the movie might hit the theatres in December.
Co-produced by Gorai Films and Tanvir A Mishuk, the film features American Francisco Raymond, West Bengal's Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Sourav Shuvro Das, Indrajit Mazumder; Russian actors Deria Gvrusenko, Nikolai Novominaski, and 36 foreign artists from the US, UK, and Spain.
Renowned scriptwriter Masum Reza and director Arefeen worked on the screenplay of the film.
Also read: 'Rickshaw Girl' continues to be screened in US
‘Agamikal’ to hit screens on June 3
Here's good news for movie buffs! Actors Emon- and Momo-starrer film ‘Agamikal’ will hit the screens across Bangladesh on June 3.
Mamnun Hasan Emon and National Film Award-winning actress Zakia Bari Momo will be seen together after 15 years in this film, following their silver screen debut in Tauquir Ahmed-directed 'Daruchini Dwip' in 2007.
Leading director Anjan Aich has directed the film, produced by Mancha International.
While talking about the release date, Emon told UNB, "Feeling glad that 'Agamikal' is being released just a month after Eid-ul-Fitr. Hopefully, it will be able to become a part of the positive transition our film industry is moving towards."
READ: You can’t pass comment on a film by seeing only trailer, says Shyam Benegal
"The story, character and my experience working for this film were altogether promising. Hopefully, the enthusiasm of people returning to cinema halls after Covid will continue with frequent releases of films," he added.
Apart from Emon and Momo, Tutul Chowdhury, Shuchona Azad, Faruk Ahmed, Shatabdi Wadud, Ashish Khandakar and Saberi Alam are part of the cast.