History of Liberation War and movements cannot be portrayed without films: DSCC

Md Abdus Salam, administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and a valiant freedom fighter, has said it is not possible to properly depict the history of the Liberation War and the Language Movement without films.

He made the remarks while delivering the presidential address at the ‘Hridoye Dhaka-416’ film festival and award-giving ceremony at Madhumita Hall in Motijheel of the capital on Saturday (August 22).

Abdus Salam said films have a deep relationship with the history and heritage of Dhaka. The capital Dhaka is one of the oldest and most traditional cities in the world. DSCC has organised this film festival to spread the glorious history, heritage and culture of this city at home and abroad.

He said films are not only a medium of entertainment but also a powerful medium to present important events of history and society to the new generation. The role of films is undeniable in properly presenting important chapters like the Liberation War, the Language Movement and the anti-fascist movement.

To present the history, heritage and multi-dimensional culture of the capital to the new generation centred on the celebration of ‘Hridoye Dhaka-416’, this week-long film festival has been organised. Two films will be screened free of cost every day at Madhumita Hall during the festival.

In his speech as the chief guest at the programme, political adviser to the prime minister Zahir Uddin Swapan praised the initiative. Raising the issue of the decreasing number of cinema halls in the country, he said that at one time more than 850 cinema halls were operational across the country but the number has decreased significantly at present. With the easy availability of smartphones and modern multimedia, changes have also come in the tastes of viewers. Therefore, along with making films considering the tastes of viewers, policy support from the government is needed in this sector.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will work jointly through a memorandum of understanding to revitalise the film industry of Bangladesh. He expressed hope that good days will return to the country’s films if good films can be made and viewers can be brought back to the halls.

At the festival, actresses Sujata Azim, Suchanda, Anwara, Bobita, Nuton, Champa and Shabnaz; actors Ujjal, Sohel Rana, Alamgir and various artists, directors, musicians, cinematographers and technicians were honoured for their contributions in different fields of films.

In addition, posthumous honours were given to late film personalities including Abdul Jabbar Khan, Zahir Raihan, Khan Ataur Rahman, Ehtesham, Amjad Hossain, Subhash Dutta, Chashi Nazrul Islam, Nayakraj Razzak, Prabir Mitra, Bulbul Ahmed, Gazi Mazharul Anwar, Azam Khan and Andrew Kishore.

Chinmoy Mutshuddi, Rafiquzzaman, Anupam Hayat, Mahmuda Chowdhury and Abdur Rahman were honoured for their contributions to film journalism. Special honours were also given to Lion, Azad and Madhumita cinema halls.

As part of the festival, various films including ‘Mukh O Mukhosh’, ‘Nawab Sirajddoula’, ‘Jibon Theke Neya’, ‘Oshikkhito’ and ‘Dahan’ will be screened free of cost at Madhumita Hall from August 22 to 28.