FTII to host the first Bangla film fest in city

An array of some admirable Bangladeshi films would be screened at the festival that starts tomorrow

The custom of making momentous and meaningful films in Bengal has not only inspired filmmakers in Bollywood, but also in our neighbouring countryu00a0Bangladesh.



Thus, an assortment of some admirable movies would be screened at a first festival of Bangladeshi movies, which has been organised by the students and faculty members of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
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The event will be held on February 20 and 22 at National Film Archive auditorium and is expected to witness the presence of celebrated Bangladeshi directors like Tareque Masud, Tanvir Mokammel, Abu Sayeed, Parvathy Baul and Sounak Chakravarty.

The movies that would be screened during the festival include Matir Monia (The clay bird), Nirantar (Forever flows), Chitra Nadir Pare (Quiet flows the river Chitra), Itihassh Konye (Down to history) and Muktir Gaan (Song of freedom).

Besides, Swapana Bhoomi (Land of dreams), a documentary film, will be one of the main attractions during the fest.

"We are privileged to have these five great directors attend the fest. It will be an enlightening experience for our students," said Pankaj Rag, director of FTII.

He added that the films, which would be screened during the festival, represent Bangladeshi sentiments and speak about the socio-political history of the nation.

Likewise, Gayatri Chatterjee, a faculty in the direction department of FTII who had done an in-depth study of Bangladeshi films, said, "These films give a strong political message and speak about the resistance of Bangladeshis during their pre-Independence era."
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Stating that the Bangladeshi culture is free and above religion and faith, Chatterjee added that Bangladesh has even accepted a poem of Rabindranath Tagore as their national song.

"Also, Bangladeshis celebrate Bhasha Divas every Feb 21. But the directors, despite the importance of this day, will be present in Pune to showcase their films," she said.

Other attractions of the festival

FTII has also organised a photo exhibition on veteran director Tapan Sinha, which will be inaugurated by noted actor-director Amol Palekar.

Also, a workshop and seminar on screenplay writers will be organised between March 16 and 22. Last year's seminar was attended by veteran screenplay writer and lyricists Javed Akhtar and Abbas Tyrewalla.