Lecture on alternative cinema in Bangladesh

Tanvir Mokammel

In a first for internationally-acclaimed Bangladeshi director Tanvir Mokammel, he has been invited by the Jadavpur University in Kolkata to an international seminar where he will deliver a lecture on alternative cinema in Bangladesh.
The seminar has been organised by the Film Studies Department of Jadavpur University on November 2-3. Acclaimed film historians and film aestheticians from India and abroad will attend the event.
Mokammel will take part in the discussion based on his experience of making and distributing films like "Hooliya", "Nodir Naam Modhumati", "Chitra Nadir Parey", "Swapnabhumi" and "Karnaphulir Kanna". He will also incorporate the experiences of Morshedul Islam, Tareque Masud and other alternative film-makers in Bangladesh and discuss their films.
"This is the first time I have been invited by an Indian university to speak about the alternative cinema in Bangladesh. But last year, I was invited by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) of Delhi to screen and talk about my film 'Swapnabhumi,'" Mokammel told The Daily Star.
Before the seminar, Mokammel will be felicitated by cultural outfit Sahamormi of North Kolkata on October 31where Sudorshan Roy Chowdhury, West Bengal's Minister for Higher Education will preside over the function.
On the occasion, two of Mokammel's feature films "Chitra Nadir Parey" and "Achin Pakhi" will be screened.
During his 10-day stay in Kolkata, Mokammel will join films editor Mahadeb Shi for the final stages of editing the epic documentary ''1971'' on Bangladesh's Liberation War.
Right now, the director is busy selecting the locations and cast for his next feature film "Jibon Dhuli" also based on the Liberation War.