Bangladeshi film scholar Raju hands award to Japanese filmmaker in Venice

Renowned film critic and researcher Zakir Hossain Raju was appointed as the chair of the Netpac jury for the Asian cinema category at the 80th Venice Film International Festival. On Friday, the film critic handed over the award to noted Japanese filmmaker, Shinya Tsukamoto, for his movie "Shadow of Fire".

 The Venice Film Festival honours the best films from 60 nations and bestows the Best Asian Film Award from the 'Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema' (NETPAC).

"At the 80th Venice Film International Film Festival, I was the head of the jury for the Netpac award along with my co-jury members Teresa Cavina and Houvik Habikayan.  We all were mesmerised by the film 'Shadow of Fire".

 The film critic went on to describe the aftermath of war and how Shinya Tsukamoto wonderfully portrayed the angst of the victims in his film.

"We know that war is a devastating affair for humankind but what happens after the war? The movie reflects the aftermath of war and the tale of their survival. Shinya Tsukamoto beautifully portrayed the harsh conditions of the war-torn victims who are trying hard to survive the complexities of life," added Raju.

"Shinya Tsukamoto transfixed us with his precision in details. We thought it was very cinematically portrayed, primarily with close shots and mid shots. The frames showcased very small claustrophobic places which were deliberately done to evoke emotions. Unfortunately, war and militarism have been very important recurring motives for Japan. And of course, we understand that this is why a director like Shinya has come forward to make this film trilogy. We thought it was a powerful portrayal of the aftermath of war in any context in the world," concluded Zakir.

 Notably, after a hiatus of more than two decades, the festival is reestablishing a dedicated award for outstanding films within the Asian category.

Established in 1990, Netpac is an acronym for the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema. It is a global entity with the primary aim of fostering enhanced comprehension and admiration for Asian movies and filmmakers. Netpac's inception coincided with the emergence of Asian cinema, which was gaining recognition and significance on the global stage, despite being relatively unfamiliar both within the region and beyond.

Zakir Hossain Raju is no stranger to the world of film evaluation. In the past, he held the position of chief judge for the Asian Cinema section at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in both 2015 and 2020. He has also been a judge at various prestigious festivals, including those in Hawaii, South Korea, France, and Australia.

Raju, a filmmaker, writer and professor, has contributed significantly to the field of film studies. With an array of research papers on Asian cinema, he also serves as the Head of the Department of Media and Communication at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).