[PAST/ ARCHIVE} Friday 8th Jan 2010 (London, UK) LAND OF PROMISE: Bengali Short Film & Documentary - Departure Arts Centre - 7pm FREE

Land of Promise: Bengali Art Film & Documentary    

curated by Hamja Ahsan ( www.hamjaahsan.com )

1. Land – Directed by Morshedul Islam. 25 minutes

A documentary on the continuous struggle of the landless poor to gain access to and which in turn entails their basic rights. Produced by People’s Forum on MDGs. About the Director: Morshedul Islam (born 1958, Dhaka.) He introduced himself as a filmmaker in 1984 with the short film “Agami” while he was a student. With the film Agami, there started a short film revolution in Bangladesh, which was known as ‘Alternate Film’ later. His first film, Time Ahead was a fictional account of the 1971 Bangladesh independence war. He received international acclaim with The Wheel (1993) which won several awards including the International Critics' Award and Jury Award at the 42nd Mannheim Film Festival in Germany. After directing Dipu Number Two (1996), he went on to complete Dukhai (1997). He and his films took part more than 40 international film festival in different countries of Asia, Europe and America till now. His last film Priyotomeshu (2009) was the first digital film produced in Bangladesh.

2. Bengali Tourist – Directed by Sarnath Bannerjee. 4 minutes

Animation by comic book artist from Kolkota , India, recounting legendary Arab 14^th Century traveller Ibn Battuta on his grand voyage across the muslim word. This is his first film animation. About the director: https://www.sarnathbanerjee.net/

3. Chobi Mela V – Produced by DRIK. 14 minutes

Documentary produced on the 2008 edition of Chobi Mela – the world’s largest photography biennale held across Dhaka, Bangladesh featuring the participation of 33 countries and 63 exhibitions. Featuring the legendary Shahidul Alam, founder of DRIK/ Majority World photography agency. Catalogue of Chobi Mela V is downloadable for FREE: https://www.chobimela.org/ Coverage:https://shahidul.wordpress.com/cmv-press/

4. Finding Bangladesh: Chapter Dhaka Dhaka & Rajshahi - Directed by Adnan M. S. Fakir Duration: 28 minutes

“ A new state in an ancient land…”Two boys, a boat with wheels and the greatest sights of Bangladesh… Light-hearted fast-paced documentary exploring Bangladesh’s Mughal, Islamic, Buddhist heritage  from earliest times & Ibn Battuta travels produced by the youth of Bangladesh to in still pride in their nation.

A selection of Adnan Fakir short films are viewable online: https://www.youtube.com/user/adnanfakir

Further Reading

1. History of Bangladesh –  Willem van Schendel

Fascinating, balanced and readable account of the History of Bangladesh. See also: The Bengal Borderland by the same author on understanding the partition between West Bengal and Bangladesh.

2. Bengal in Global Concept History – Andrew Sarotori

Highly original account of Bengali culture across West Bengal and Bangladesh in relation to global history and cultural theory.

3. Bangladesh – Mikey Leung & Melinda Meggitt (Bradt’s travel guide)

The unsurpassed, most comprehensive travel guide to Bangladesh – infinitely better than the  Lonely Planet guide. 1^st edition released in October 2009 and hence the most up-to-date. Visit Bangladesh.

Internet: 1. Good blog on Bangladesh contemporary filmmakers incuding Morshedul Islam - https://bengalifilmdirector.blogspot.com/

2. Shahidul Alam blog – the legendary Bangladesh photography provides a window on the world: https://www.shahidulnews.com/

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Other Asias is a Pan-Asian arts organisation based in London, Dhaka and Lahore that activates currents of exhibitions, film screenings, plays, symposiums and more. Find us on Facebook: Other Asias Transnational Contemporary art currents. Contact: info@otherasias.com Web: otherasias.com