A notion exists in Hollywood that the most anticipating and award-seeking films go for the end-of-year release to maximise the nomination tally in the award season next year. It is not yet a trend in Bangladesh as the award ceremonies here do not adhere to specific schedule (the 2012 edition of National Film Award took place on May 10 this year – evidently a whole year of delay).
However, another notion works here: films based on the Liberation War are usually set to be released in December to garner more attention since it is the month of victory. The Dhaka Tribune picks up a few films that are scheduled to be released next month, including the ones on the war.
Meghmallar
After the premiere for limited audience on November 18, feature film “Maghmallar” gained attention all around and is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 12.
The film depicts the violent side of the war and portrays the story of survival of a middle-class family – quite an unconventional portrayal of the Liberation War. Usually, storytellers focus on the horrors, sufferings and upheaval which were an inherent part of the nine-month war.
Adapted from Akhtaruzzaman Elias’s acclaimed work “Raincoat,” the film won the National Filmmaking Grant 2013. Shahiduzzaman Selim, Aparna Ghose, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Mosharraf Karim and Aditi play vital roles in the film, which is directed by Zahidur Rahim Anjan. Zero Degree
According to the promotional poster of the film “Zero Degree,” it is the “first-ever unexpected thriller on silver screen in Bangladesh.” Whether such is the case is to be determined by the audience. But having a star-studded cast, such as Jaya Ahsan, Mahfuz Ahmed and Ruhee, Animesh Aich behind the camera, the film garnered favourable attention from the film aficionados.
A teaser video depicting few moments from the film with the backdrop of singer James’ identical tenor voice has already gone viral on the internet. The film got the censor board’s approval on Sunday, but the release date has not been finalised yet. the director said the tentative date is near the end of December, or in early January.
Ekattorer Ma Jononi
“Ekattorer Ma Jononi” has been selected for the US Film Festival to be held on December 27. Telling the story of the Birangonas of the Liberation War, the film features Nipun Akter as a protagonist. The story is based on the novel “Jononi Shahoshini 1971” by Anisul Haque. Made with the support of government grants, the film is set to release on December 19.
Directed by Shah Alam Kiron, it also features popular actors such as Agun, Shakil Ahmed, MM Morshed and Chitrolekha Guho. Uttom gave the art direction, while a theatre troupe took part in the making of the film.
Desha: The Leader
The directorial debut of Saikat Nasir, “Desha: The Leader” is a political thriller and is set to release on December 12.
Debutant Shipon shares the screen with Mahiya Mahi in the film, produced by Jaaz Multimedia, while the rest of the cast include Tarique Anam Khan, Sohel Khan and Manjurul Karim.
A large amount of Chroma key, a special effects technique for compositing, and post-production editing has been used in the film, marking the improvement in the technical department of Bangladeshi productions.
