Capturing an era

Aguner Paroshmoni, a film on Liberation War by Humayun Ahmed

Cinema and media circles believe that unless the government acts soon to preserve and nurture these films on the Liberation Movement and War, this priceless heritage might be lost forever. Another alarming aspect is a very small group of filmmakers currently use their medium to make films on the war.

One reason is that there is no fresh talent to take the place of the renowned directors such as Zahir Raihan, Khan Ata, Alamgir Kabir, Narayan Ghosh Mita and Alamgir Kumkum.

Others, who are interested in this genre of films, point fingers at the government. As they point out, no government wants to provide the necessary logistic supports, including ammunition, trained soldiers and other inputs, without which it is difficult to make a realistic film on the war. There is also a complaint about standard and fact-based scripts. The major grouse, however, is about the problems that filmmakers face with the changes of government. A film, which is being made with the complete approval of a government, might face obstruction after a subsequent change in the political scenario.

Subash Dutta, a renowned actor and director, has stopped making films on the Liberation War because, he thinks, at present there is no scope to make fact-based films. 'When we made films immediately after Independence based on facts, we got a lot of infrastructural support from the government which is badly needed for a realistic film on war,' he explains. 'Afterwards, many governments have come to power with different versions of the history of Bangladesh. They just can't agree on any point, let alone films on the Freedom Movement and war. None of them want to promote films on the historic event.

Sohel Rana, a famous actor-producer, thinks that to get more film productions, the whole scenario needs a change. 'We should settle four aspects. Firstly, we should have one factual history of Bangladesh, which will be widely accepted. Secondly, the government should come forward with a fresh mind to provide necessary support to make such films. Then, our novelists and writers should produce more novels on our freedom movement Lastly, the filmmakers, artistes, technicians and other film industry representatives should work as a team to make films, he suggests.

Joint Secretary of the Ministry Information, M Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury, however, denies the allegation of the government's non-cooperation. 'There is no specific case where government does not help; whenever they came for help, we tried our best to support them. But the demand for infrastructural support should come through proper channels.'

Many foreign makers and organisations have also worked on the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Among them a number of Indian filmmakers have produced some good films. Geeta Mehta made a documentary film, Dateline Bangladesh, in London. Durga Prashad made Duranta Padma. Titas Ekti Nadir Nam, by Ritwik Ghatak, the famous director from West Bengal, has won acclaim. A Japanese filmmaker named Nagisha Ochima made Bangladesh Story.

Besides, different television networks like BBC, NBC, French Television and CBS have also made many documentaries on the Liberation War. These documentaries are based on footages collected during the wartime while covering news of the war.

Unfortunately, no government took any initiative to collect the valuable documents. Even the Bangladeshi people have not seen these documentaries which might help discover many unrevealed aspects of our Liberation War.

Another unfortunate matter is that Bangladesh Film Archive has only 12 films on the Liberation War in its possession. Little effort has gone into their preservation.

Joint Secretary M Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury, however, claims that the government has done its best to collect and preserve films in the archive but the producers themselves are not at all interested to submit their productions for preservation. He also points out that the Information Ministry does not have a scheme to collect the films from abroad. He then refers to the role of the Department of Films and Production (DFP) 'who might inform if there is any such production in the government collection or not.' DFP's officials, however, deny responsibility. A high up official, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that their job is only to publish journals or make documentaries on different issues.

Chashi Nazrul Islam, the director of four films on the Liberation War, including the maiden one of this genre Ora Egarojon and recently released Megher Porey Megh, also supports the view of the film activists. He believes at the same time that whatever the situation is, films on this theme should be made regularly to let our new generation know the history of our Liberation.

.However, despite several bottlenecks, both Subhash Dutta and Sohel Rana are optimistic about a better future for war-based films. As Dutta says, 'There is no need to be frustrated about the quantity of films because one authentic production is better than thousands of indigent productions. And it is possible to make films on the Liberation theme even after two or three centuries, while it has been only three decades since our Independence.'

A few Feature films on Liberation War
Fakrul Alam's Joy Bangla, Zahir Raihan's Jibon Theke Neya, Chashi Nazrul Islam's Ora Egarojan, Subhash Dutta's Arunodoyer Agnishakkhi, Momtaz Ali's Raktakto Bangla Ananda's Bagha Bangalee, Alamgir Kabir's Dhire Bohe Meghna, Alamgir Kumkum's Amar Janmobhumi, Khan Ataur Rahman's Abar Tora Manush Ho, Chashi Nazrul Islam's Sangram, Mita's Alor Michhil, S Ali's Banglar Chabbis Bachhar

Harunur Rashid's Megher Anek Rong, Ananda's Kar Hashi Key Hashey, AJ Mintu's Bandhan Hara, Matin Rahman's Chitkar, Chashi Nazrul Islam's Hangor Nodi Grenade, Alamgir Kabir's Rupali Shaikotey and Ek Sagar Rokter Binimoye Shahidul Haque Khan's Kalmi Lata, Nasir Uddin Yusuff's Ekatturer Jishu, Humayun Ahmed's Aguner Parashmoni, Kazi Hayat's Sipahi, Tanvir Mokammel's Nadir Naam Madhumati, Khan Ataur Rahman's Akhono Onek Raat, Chasi Nazrul Islam's Megher Porey Megh.

Liberation war in short films and documentaries
Zahir Raihan's Stop Genocide and A Stage is Born, Babul Chodhury's Innocent Millions, Alamgir Kabir's Liberation Fighters, Morshedul Islam's Suchona, Tanvir Mokammel's Hulia and Smrity 71, Mustafa Kamal's Protyabarton, Abu Sayeed's Dhushor Jatra and Abortan, Enayet Karim Babul's Chakki and Pataka, Akther Hossain's Duranto, Sumon Ahmed's Neel Dangshan, Alamgir Kabir's Programme in Bangladesh and Towards Golden Bangla, Tareq Masud and Catherine Masud's Muktir Gaan and Muktir Kotha, Kawsar Chowdhury's Shey Rater Kotha Boltey Eshechhi and Shamim Akter's Shilalipi are some appreciable enterprises.