From The Editor's Desk
This year's Oscars was an eventful one, marking the first of many things. The monumental blunder made while awarding the Oscar for the “Best Film” category solidified my notion of the world being at the peak of instability at the moment. After the disaster at 2015's Miss Universe pageant, one would think that they would be more careful about these absolutely crucial aspects of the program. Add to that the turmoil with Trump's election as president and his Twitter exchange with the likes of Meryl Streep, it seems like the entirety of Hollywood has a stance on the issue. I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations to all the winners. I had the opportunity to visit Rotterdam and Berlin this year for the IFFR (International Film Festival of Rotterdam) and the Berlinale respectively. I am extremely proud to say “Live from Dhaka”, made by Bangladesh's very own Abdullah Mohammad Saad, got showcased in the “Bright Future” category in the IFFR. However, it is shocking that the young director could not show up to the festival because of VISA issues. As a representative from Bangladesh, I was asked repeatedly why he could not show up by the festival director. “Under Construction”, a film by Rubaiyat Ahmed, was showcased in “Talent Campus” in the Berlinale. As a film enthusiast, it gives me immense joy that my country's films are being showcased and earning respect in film festivals worldwide. I would very much like to see Bangladeshi artists represent us at the Oscars one day. It is but a dream.
Rafi Hossain
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