For some time, we have been observing communal instability of some sorts in Bangladesh. We may be Improving technologically day by day, but in terms of humanity, we are walking backward. At least that's what it seems to be after reviewing recent incidents.
In The discussion of these Incidents, I have heard it repeatedly said that cultural practices are not the same in the country, as a result of which social degradation is taking place. We are limited to just coming to talk shows and shouting that cultural practices across the country have to be boosted but do not see any effective action being taken.
Once upon a time, there used to be regular Baul songs in our village, there used to be Jatrapala, there were plays, but now they almost are lost. Whatever is still happening is only capital-centric, it's a matter of great concern.
If we think that we will be developed only by achieving technical excellence and making everyone a graduate by opening universities, that would be a very wrong notion. For building a better nation, we first need to improve our mindset, which can’t be done by producing cheap graduates and giving android phones in everyone's hands, it requires a cultural revolution. And a part of this revolution can be the film society movement and it should not just be Dhaka-centric. It has to be spread to the marginal level because it is never possible to change the whole country through a capital centric approach. The emphasis for this has to be given to the marginalized areas.
We know that film is recognized as the most effective means of communication. People of any language from any part of the world can easily connect with films through its visual language. So, films can be a great tool to change society. There is a lot of film societies in the country, and most of them are active is in Dhaka. And all of the major film festivals that take place every year, except for one or two, are held in Dhaka. Being in Dhaka, the marginalized youth cannot connect with it. He or she is deprived of the experience.
Every year, all the events are held in a particular city in a particular venue around only a small number of people. As a result, our industry cannot expand. The potential youth of the marginalized regions are also not getting the opportunity to advance. When a film society movement can be expanded in a marginalized area, where international festivals will be organized, the youth there will have the opportunity to get involved and get a chance to get to know the world, which will help them think out of the box. From there, the youth may dream of making films, and building a community of film buffs.
When the youth becomes culturally conscious, he will become enlightened citizens. One reason behind the lack of talented film-makers is the lack of decentralization. The infrastructure is such that no talented youth from the marginalized region has the opportunity to rise. If we allow countless dream-mongers to come up through the film society movement by sowing the seeds of dreams among the youth of the marginalized regions, I believe that we will be able to build a strong position in the global market of cinema besides bringing about a positive change in the society.
Jisan Mahadi is the Festival Director of Global Youth Film Festival Bangladesh
