Campaign to halt ‘Bonolota Express’ screening in Brahmanbaria, condemnation from filmmakers and organizers

It has been alleged that a party is actively campaigning on social media, calling for the screening of the movie 'Bonolota Express' scheduled for Saturday in Brahmanbaria to be stopped. Such campaigns have already generated discussion and criticism in the area and online. The film's producer and director Tanim Noor has expressed deep anger and dissatisfaction over the incident. He has described the matter as sad and undesirable and condemned the attempt to create such obstacles around the screening of the film.

The Film Reform Roadmap has expressed concern about the entire course of events. In a press release, the organization said that such a situation created around the screening of the film is uncomfortable for artistic and cultural activities and it can have a negative impact on the free environment of the film.

Brahmanbaria Film Society started its journey on May 10 with the slogan 'New generation in film studies, new horizons of cultural heritage'. With the aim of building a creative cultural platform in the district through regular film screenings, discussions, discussions and workshops, they have already organized eight episodes of 'Bhatghumer Cinema Adda'. In continuation of this, the ninth exhibition has been organized at Annada Government High School on May 30. The controversial film 'Bonolota Express', released on Eid-ul-Fitr, is scheduled to be screened there. However, as soon as the campaign for the exhibition began, criticism and opposition began on social media. There has been intense concern and anger among the local cultural arena and film workers regarding the issue.

After reviewing several Facebook posts and screenshots of Messenger groups received by the media, it has been found that an organized campaign is being conducted demanding the closure of the screening of the film 'Bonolota Express'. It is known that various posts and messages have called for the cancellation of the screening of the film. In addition, a red ‘cross’ (X) sign is being drawn on the poster of the film and it is being circulated on social media, which is quickly going viral on various online platforms and groups. The issue has received mixed reactions from netizens and a new discussion has been created in the online environment.

In a post on Facebook, a person named Abu Bakr Mohammad Ayman wrote, Brahmanbaria is the city of Alem-Ulamar. Allama Fakhre Bangal (RA) once stopped cinema in this city. But unfortunately, it seems that some mischievous circles are trying to start cinema in the city again.

A similar statement is also known to have been spread on a messenger group called ‘Sanghatnik Oikya’, where the same position is being reiterated on the issue.

Another person named HM Syed Qasim wrote in his post, “I don’t want to see the screening of a forbidden thing called cinema in the city of Alem-Ulamar.” In addition, HM Qazi Akram, Md. Sakibul Hasan Chowdhury and Arif Billah Mujahid, among others, have expressed similar views against the screening.

The film's producer Tanim Noor has expressed concern over the incident. In a post on social media, he said, "The news that I saw recently about the screening of the movie 'Bonolota Express' in Brahmanbaria is really sad. Brahmanbaria has always been a fertile land of tradition and culture." He further wrote in the post, "Healthy entertainment and the practice of art never harm our society or faith, but rather promote mental development. Mutual discussion and respect are much more necessary than any unwanted ban." As a son of Brahmanbaria, he also called this incident "shocking."

Bakhtiar Shahriar, general secretary of Brahmanbaria Film Sangsad, said, "We want to complete the screening beautifully on May 30. But since the announcement, we have been seeing posts on social media opposing this progressive initiative. We are certainly concerned about the matter." However, we hope that they will not be able to stop our show. We will formally inform the local administration about the matter and seek necessary security.

Meanwhile, various cultural organizations, film workers and film lovers have already started protesting, alleging that healthy and progressive cultural activities are being hindered. According to them, the natural environment of art, literature and filmmaking in a town like Brahmanbaria, which is built on a rich tradition and cultural identity, should not be hindered or restricted in any way.

To build a free and liberal cultural environment, it is necessary to encourage all kinds of creative activities, including film screenings. They also expressed their fear that if such initiatives are hindered, it will be detrimental to cultural development and may have a negative impact on local art practice in the long run.