Digital Film: New technologies, new talents

Tareque Masud speaks at the event, Farooqi (C) and Animesh Aich seen next to himPhoto: STAR

A discussion on “Digital Film: New Technologies, New Talents” was held at Goethe Institut Bangladesh on September 6. Filmmakers Tareque Masud, Nurul Alam Atique, Mostafa Sarwar Farooqi, Wahed Tarek and Animesh Aich were the key discussants at the programme. Dhaka University Film Society and Goethe Institut Bangladesh jointly arranged the programme.
The discussants' focus was on possible consequences of digital filmmaking in Bangladesh. According to the discussants, digital film has created a more liberating space for filmmakers as it has created an opportunity to work regardless of the limitations. Whether the technology is weak in terms of depth and the sharpness of the image and the representation of movement can be adequate aesthetic substitute for the swirl of grain and the flicker from the projector that make 35mm such a medium for magic, were also discussed at the programme.
Tareque Masud focused on the technological environment one has to consider while filmmaking. He said, “We need to renew our ideas on films in this digital age. The new generation with its new sensibility for new cinema will make greatest changes possible and perhaps digital technologies made that possible.”
The diversity of content and changes in style of acting made possible by the introduction of digital film was the focus of Mostafa Sarwar Farooqi's speech. According to him, our films have been stereotyped and the theatrical style of acting that is devoid of normalcy has been the dominating trend. “Digital filmmaking appears as a salvation. If we can cultivate this medium properly, digital film can provide an optimistic future,” Farooqi hoped.
Nurul Alam Atique provided a historical perspective to explain why digital filmmaking has become so important for their generation of filmmakers. Referring to the absence of two generations of creative filmmakers from local film industry and the recent 'media boom', Atique saw the medium as the only route for many of the aspiring filmmakers. “Filmmakers are used to limitations; all kinds of compromises take place or you miss the moment. Of course, there are those who do not like making all the compromises and many, especially young talents, are not fortunate enough to get producers for their films. Digital film has opened a window of opportunity for such filmmakers,” Atique said. “The digital technology has managed to decentralise filmmaking,” he added.
Wahid Tarek insisted on effective artistic production rather than the format of the production. The audience also took part in the open discussion.
Prior to the discussion, five digital films, Wicked Confession (directed by Rajib Ahmed), Script Writer (directed by Kamruzzaman Kamu), Shomporker Dana (directed by Wahed Tarek), Shefali (directed by Animesh Aich) and Shunno (directed by Ashutosh Shujon) were screened. Directors of the films exchanged views with audience after the screenings.