SHIBU KUMER SHILL

Shibu Kumer Shill is an independent filmmaker of Bangladesh. After completing his Masters of Fine Arts on Sculpting from Dhaka Fine Art Institute, he made films (such as Yatri, Autry) and also made a documentary named Eliaser Khoary. He won the Best Documentary Award of Celebrating Life 2008 for his work on Eliaser Khoary. Shibu, a creative person of diverse talents, is also the vocalist for Meghdol, a musical band.

1. Why did you choose to become a filmmaker?
I didn't chose to become a filmmaker on my own, it just happened. In the past I worked in the theatre, practiced sculpting, painting and music. Along the way I realized that filmmaking is a big artistic platform to tell stories and hence my interest towards films increased.

2. What do think about the current situation in Bangladeshi filmmaking?
In my honest opinion there was a time in Bangladesh when there was an amazing storytelling style of Zahir Raihan and later of Taraque Masud. After them we haven't seen any filmmaker who came close to such brilliance. I think our filmmaking scenario lacks storytelling style; every filmmaker should have their distinctive ways of telling a story. We had short film forums in our country but we are yet to see a reflection of these forums on actual work. We need more investors and more people to watch our works and most importantly we need good filmmakers. I think that the filmmaking industry is still at an aspiring stage.

3. What do you think about the future of Bangladeshi filmmaking?
I have a lot of hope and I am very optimistic about it. We have a lot of scope in our country now to make good films, unlike in the past.

4. Do you think we need a film institution in our country?
Yes! Any art form needs a proper institution to nurture artists in their own platforms. I myself would have joined a film school, if there were any in this country. There are some film appreciation courses in our country, which I think are total frauds! I think these malpractices should be stopped. It is horrible to see teachers trying to explain films they don't understand to their students.

5. What is your own favorite work?
Eliaser Khoary! It was my first work and it won me two awards. When I was doing that film, I thought it wouldn't be a good piece of art but after I saw the final cut I was satisfied. It made me fall in love with filmmaking.

6. What are your favorite films?
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Pather Panchali, Uncle Boonmee Who Recall His Past Life, Silence of The Lambs and Subarnarekha are some of my favorite films.

7. Who are you favorite filmmakers?
Satyajit Ray, Terrence Malick, Kim Ki-duk, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Andrei Tarkovsky, Lana Wachowski and Andrew Paul Wachowski are some of my favorite filmmakers.

8. Who are your favourite actors?
My favourite actors include Humayun Faridi, Asaduzzaman Noor, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

9.  What is your opinion about Bangladeshi in general?
I am proud to say that Bangladesh is a free country and I feel lucky that I was born after the country was liberated and I didn't have to go through the horrifying things my parents saw but I would have still been a proud Bangladeshi if I fought in the war! Today's society is black and white there are good people and there are bad ones. It is horrible to see that people protesting against war criminals get beaten up.

10. What are some of your future plans?
I am working on 'Fireh Esho Chaka', a documentary which will feature footage of Humayan Faridi. I am also working on another documentary named Novera, the subject of which is Novera Ahmed.