Bangladesh to be the ‘country of Focus’ at the Mumbai International Film Festival
As a fitting tribute to the golden jubilee of the liberation of Bangladesh, it has been made ‘Country of Focus’ during the 17th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF).
A special package of 11 films from Bangladesh including critically acclaimed film Hasina- A Daughter’s Tale will be presented at India’s foremost documentary film festival MIFF 2022. The festival starting from Sunday, 29 May 2022 in Mumbai will feature documentary, short fiction and animation films from across the globe.
The films in the ‘Country of Focus’ category from Bangladesh will include the ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s tale’ which depicts the persona of the iconic political figure and its current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Directed by Piplu R Khan, the film has won critical acclaim internationally.
The films in the country focus section trace the memories of Bangladesh liberation war and the sacrifices made by the people of the country for independence.
Films like ‘Not a Penny Not a Gun’, ‘Jolo Guerrilla’ derive their inspiration from 1971 war which liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan. These films detail the pain and agony suffered by Bangladeshi people in their pursuit of freedom. ‘Jothorleena’ directed by Dilara Begum Jolly is a film which follows the extra ordinary life of Bangladeshi writer Roma Chowdhury and her battle against the untold agony inflicted upon her by war. ‘Kaan Pete Roi’ directed by Mofidul Hoque is also a touching portrayal of the ordeal of a Mathematics lecturer who took a bold stand against the atrocities during 1971 war.
Other films like Silence (Nisshobdotar Shohor), directed by Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, Ripples, directed by Suborna Senjutee, Garden Memories directed by Humaira Bilkis and Born Together (Janmsathi) directed by Shabnam Firdousi deal with social issues are among those included in the country focus section.
MIFF has received overwhelming response from film-makers across the globe. It received 808 entries from 30 countries out of which 102 films will be screened under the competition category. It includes 35 in the international competition section and 67 in the national competition section.
The Best Film of the Festival will receive the Golden Conch award, along with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs. There are several other awards also in other categories from five to one lakh each. The coveted The coveted Dr. V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award with a cash award of Rs 10 lakh will also be given away during the festival.
The films will be screened in a hybrid mode. Films included in the MIFF can be viewed online by registering on the website of MIFF.
