Film fraternity wants storytelling freedom

Bangladesh’s film fraternity arranged a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital Thursday, demanding an explanation for the alleged recent ‘attacks on art’ on films such as ‘Hawa’ and ‘Saturday Afternoon’. 

At the press conference ‘Golpo Bolar Swadhinata Chai’ (We Want Storytelling Freedom), they questioned the lawsuit for allegedly violating wildlife conservation laws by the Forest Department’s Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit against ‘Hawa’ director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon and demanded a proper explanation for why Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s much-anticipated film ‘Saturday Afternoon (Shonibar Bikel) is stuck at the Bangladesh Film Censor Board. The artistes put forward a five-point demand at the event.

A large number of artistes joined the press conference, uniquely designed with barbed wire-fenced tables, organised by the country’s entertainment industry’s producers, artistes, and associates. They demanded freedom of expression for Bangladeshi entertainment content, as well as justice for the two films in question.

Popular artistes and filmmakers Nasir Uddin Yousuff, Nurul Alam Atique, Jaya Ahsan, Chanchal Chowdhury, Morshedul Islam, Tariq Anam Khan, Afsana Mimi, Shampa Reza, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, Zahid Hasan, Masum Reza, Kamar Ahmad Simon, Piplu R Khan, Gias Uddin Selim, Gousul Alam Shaon, Iresh Zaker, Afran Nisho, Azmeri Haque Badhan, Zakia Bari Mamo, Nazifa Tushi, and Meghdol singer Shibu Kumer Shill among others, joined the press conference.

Eminent director and media personality Nasir Uddin Yousuff said, “The moment people started coming back to the halls, it is not a good indication that a leading film is facing charges. Also, why did ‘Saturday Afternoon’ not get a clearance from the censor board? Where our constitution gives us the right to free speech, why should art get no freedom?”

“We thought we will tell the story of flowers, birds, and the river”, said ‘Hawa’ director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon. “Now, we have to cross off birds from the list – how can I tell the full story? I feel like I’ve entered a cage myself. Films should not be in the crosshairs for real-life acts.”

“Should we stop making films?” said Jaya Ahsan, continuing, “In this world where deforestation is a major issue and animals are being treated inhumanely, what the Forest Department is doing in this regard? Why are they targeting films and creative art?”

‘Saturday Afternoon’ director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “It has been three years, yet I did not receive any logical explanation on why ‘Saturday Afternoon’ is not cleared by the censor board. We have appealed against the decision from time to time, yet the situation is not resolved and our film did not get the censor certificate.”