No Bangladeshi films in Kolkata int'l film festival

Kolkata International Film Festival has entered its 30th year. Cinema lovers eagerly await this popular festival every year, and this time, the excitement in the city of Kolkata is at its peak. However, for the first time in the festival's history, there are no Bangladeshi films. Due to political unrest and ongoing instability in Bangladesh, global politics has been shaken. Although an interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Yunus has been in power for several months, diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh have not normalized. In this context, the absence of Bangladeshi films has led many in Kolkata's Bengali community to believe that the festival's representation of Bengali cinema has diminished, and that the cultural exchange between the two Bengals, which has been a continuous tradition, has been interrupted.

Every year, Bangladeshi films have gained significant popularity at the Kolkata Film Festival. The presence of renowned Bangladeshi directors, actors, and actresses adds another dimension to the event. The excitement surrounding prominent Bangladeshi talents like Jaya Ahsan, Chanchal Chowdhury, and Musharraf Karim is palpable in the Nandan area of Kolkata. However, it became clear during the festival's press conference that this year’s scene would be different.

The opening ceremony of the 30th edition will begin with a tribute to the renowned filmmaker Tapan Sinha. His film Golpo Holeo Sotti will be the first to be screened. A total of 2,459 films were submitted for the competition category, with 30 short films nominated. Additionally, 42 feature-length documentaries will be showcased, and 103 films will be presented outside the competition category.

This year, France is the focus country. However, among the 29 countries participating in the festival, Bangladesh is noticeably absent. The 30th Kolkata International Film Festival will run from December 4 to December 11. This year's chairperson is director Gautam Ghosh, with actor Prosenjit Chatterjee serving as the co-chairperson. The festival's theme song has been conceptualized by West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with the lyrics written and sung by Nachiketa Chakraborty. Last year, the theme song was performed by Arijit Singh. The grand opening ceremony will be held on December 4 at the Dhakshinayan Theater.

When asked whether the absence of Bangladeshi films was due to the country's political instability, no one wanted to comment. After the Kolkata International Book Fair, Bangladesh is also absent from the Film Festival this year. Some intellectuals in Kolkata believe this distance could have a significant impact on the cultural exchange and long-standing cordial relations between the two Bengals.