Dhaka International Film Festival begins

The Fourteenth Dhaka International Film Festival has begun with a call to foreign filmmakers to base their films on stories from Bangladesh.

Over 150 films from 56 countries will be screened, and several workshops will be held in the nine-day festival beginning on Thursday.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu was the chief guest at the inaugural function of the festival, organised by the Rainbow Film Society in the National Museum auditorium.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam was a special guest.

Syrian filmmaker Mohammad Malas and Norwegian filmmaker Ania Brain lit the auspicious lamp to open the festival.

Addressing the foreign filmmakers, Shahriar Alam said: “You look for a theme of story that will illuminate or touch our hearts.

“If you look at the birth of Bangladesh, or go back to 1952, to the day we call Martyrs’ Day, for which Mother Tongue Day is observed worldwide, you might come across unusual stories.”

Over two decades ago, Bangladesh was known as the world’s poorest country, but that has changed completely, said Alam.

He also spoke about the film industry in Bangladesh today, and the controversy over the showing of foreign films.

“Indian films are in great demand. But we have reservations about showing Indian films in cinemas, even though they are widely watched in our living rooms. Despite that, there are differences of opinion about showing them in public.”

He said that despite the criticism, there are good films being made in Bangladesh, and he mentioned the support being given by the government.

He said that cinema was an essential art form in all countries, including Bangladesh. “It can tell the story of the birth of a nation. Those of you who are in Bangladesh can consider making a film about that.”

Artistes perform dance at the inaugural ceremony of the 14th Dhaka International Film Festival beginning at the National Museum in Dhaka on Thursday.

He pointed out that the most powerful art form for the masses could play an important role in curbing misrule, militancy and fundamentalism. 

“Films can help resolve the problems of the present world. They can bring about the change that politicians can’t,” he said.

Chief Guest Inu said: “There are villains in politics and in films, but villains in films never win.”

The festival was launched with a screening of the Bangladeshi film ‘Under Construction’ by Rubaiyat Hossain.

The films in the festival will be shown in the Central Library, the National Museum, the American Center, and the Alliance Francaise.

Twenty-five young filmmakers will take part in a workshop at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh from Jan 16 to 22.