‘Amar Bhashar Chalachchitra 1429’- An affordable ride into Bengali films
The Dhaka University premises were brighter and more vibrant than ever with throngs of youth in festive attires flocking to the auditorium taking pictures with the iconic film posters decorating the walls. Such was the scenario of "Amar Bhashar Chalachchitra 1429" hosted by Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) at the TSC premises of Dhaka University.
The five-day long festival began on February 5. 18 contemporary and classic feature films, two short films and two documentaries from both Bangladesh and West Bengal being screened over the course of the festival. The screenings were open for all, the tickets being 50tk each and available at the venue.
Iconic movies like "Golapi Ekhon Traine", "Hawa", "Behula", "Manikbabur Megh", '"Once Upon a Time in Calcutta", "Banchharamer Bagan" have been screened so far. Like every year, the festival has received huge response from audiences and has had houseful shows since day one.
In addition to the screenings, this year the event has included a panel discussion session called "Jukti Tokko Goppo". On Tuesday,filmmaker and film activist Zahidur Rahman Anjan, film activist Mir Shamsul Alam Babu and Akram Khan discussed the topic 'Censors in films: an industry caught in the throes of the law' as panelists. The session was moderated by film society activist Asif Karim Chowdhury.
With cooperation from Bangladesh Film Archive, film posters had been arranged for display at the premises. Moreover, the history of Bangla films has also been presented.
Raihan Rafi's "Damal" was screened on February 8. Mrinal Sen's "Interview", Buddhadeb Dasgupta's "Mondo Meyer Upakhyan", Anirban Bhattacharya's "Ballabhpurer Roopkotha" were also screened at the same day at 10 am, 1 pm, 3.30 pm respectively.
On February 9, the last day of the festival, the Hiralal Sen Padak is awarded to a worthy film every year, in commemoration of the Indian subcontinent's first film director, Hiralal Sen. This year, y Muhammad Quayum's debut directorial movie, "Kura Pokkhir Shunne Ura" (The Golden Wings of Watercocks) took the Hiralal Sen Padak home.
"This annual festival started its journey in 2002, on the 50th anniversary of Language Movement. Since then, every year, this festival is held in the month of February", said Shiyan Shahriar Alamgir, President of Dhaka University Film Society, about the festival.
"It is a tribute to Bangla movies and is the biggest Bangla film festival in all of Bangladesh and abroad", he added.
With festivities, analysis and celebrations, "Amar Bhashar Chalachchitra 1429" was an event for the masses, catering to every taste that visited.