Any nation's cinema reflects its culture. Movies serve as a representation of the nation's culture both domestically and internationally. Any kind of oppression against movies is oppression against the culture.
Nonetheless, there have been instances of film screenings in Bangladesh being blocked at different points in time. Film releases have occasionally been halted, sometimes due to legal complexities and sometimes on the objection of the censor board.
Consequently, a large number of films have been made but have not been viewed by the general audience. But the current scenario is different. The country is going through various changes. One of them is the abolition of the Censor Board and the formation of the Film Certification Board. So as viewers, we can be optimistic.
The complications surrounding the much-discussed Saturday Afternoon film have not diminished. The release of the film has been delayed multiple times. The film's director has been vocal about this issue at various times.
It is natural to be vocal. Behind a film, there is intensive hard work by the director, producer, actor, writer, and crew. That work is worthwhile only when it reaches the audience. Therefore, any film must be given the freedom to reach the audience.
Currently, Mustafa Sarwar Farooki, the director of the film Saturday Afternoon, is serving as the cultural advisor. Therefore, our audience has high expectations from him. Since he himself has faced such obstacles and was vocal against it, we are hopeful that he will arrange for the release of the blocked films.
Bangladesh has a history of blocking films. The critically acclaimed and Cannes Film Festival-winning film The Clay Bird directed by Tarek Masud was blocked for a long time due to government interference. After winning international awards, the film generated interest among the audience. As a result, the audience got the opportunity to watch the film.
However, the trend of withholding films did not stop even after this. Many films have not yet reached the audience due to these restrictions. The fate of many films is still uncertain.
Notable among these films are, Saturday Afternoon, Rana Plaza, My Bicycle, Namuna, Kathgolap, Monolok, Omimangshito (Unsolved), Annyadin, Makeup.
These films were not released for various reasons. Sometimes as a result of numerous legal issues, and other times as a result of government pressure. For example, the film Rana Plaza was made based on the tragic incident of the Rana Plaza collapse.
First, the film was cut due to the objections of the censors. Then, the film was set to release on the orders of the High Court, but the release of the film was blocked again due to the objection of garment industry owners. It has been said at various times that the image of the country will be tarnished if the film is released.
The film titled Namuna directed by Enamul Karim Nirjhar was made with a government grant. However, the film's release was blocked due to objections to its storyline. There were allegations that the film, which was made in the social and political context of Bangladesh, had changed the storyline submitted at the time of the grant.
Raihan Rafi's film Omimangshito (Unsolved) generated a lot of conversation around the nation. The movie is said to be based on the tale of a double murder case that rocked the country. Unfortunately the audience did not have the opportunity to know or see whether it was real or not. Because the movie's release has been halted.
The film Saturday Afternoon was made based on the incident of the Holey Artisan terrorist attack. It has also been stuck for a long time. Although it was not released in the country, the film was released on an OTT platform in India.
The fact that the films are stuck is not a good sign for the culture of the country at all. Freedom of expression is one of the main strengths of democracy. Any opinion should be allowed to be expressed. Then you can speak for or against it.
Therefore, the blocked films must be liberated for the good of the nation. I hope the current government will take appropriate steps in this regard.
Fahim Ibne Sarwar is a Writer and Film Critic. He is also the Founder and Editor of bhalochobi.com.