More movies on the way

Women filmmakers from Bangladesh have been making films on a regular basis. Every year, at least one of their movies is released. Some of them have even won national film awards. On international women’s day, Prothom Alo talked to them about their new films.

Shameem Akhtar with ‘Ogneejita’ after ‘Rina Brown’

Shameem Akhtar has made three films so far, ‘Rina Brown’ being the last one. She says, “I’ve begun working on two new films”. Among the two, Ogneejita is based on ‘birangona’, the women tortured during the war of liberation, she said. Beside this, Shameem will be making another film ‘Bhasan’. “I hope to make Ogneejita with government funding. Ferdousi Priyabhashini had agreed to appear in the film. She is no more. A few of her interviews are available and I’ll use these in the film,” she added. If all goes well, she wants to start making the films this year.

New film from Nargis Akter

Nargis Akter has finished making her new film ‘Zoiboti Konnar Mon’. The story is from the long-running drama of the same title by Selim Al Deen and the film is government funded.  The shooting is complete and she hopes to release the film shortly. She said, “All of the actors are new, as the characters required. I enjoyed working with them and hope the viewers will also enjoy the film too.”

Shahnewaz Kakoli pens ‘Bangladesher Chithhi’

Shahnewaz Kakoli has almost prepared five scripts while the sixth one is in the pipeline. She is waiting for a producer now. She said, “Bangladesher Chithhi (Letter from Bangladesh), based on the liberation war of Bangladesh, will be my first attempt among these” and continues, “Three scripts are final--these can qualify at international festivals. Now the scripts will be selected after discussing with the producers.” She will soon start shooting a film with Ferdous, she also said.

Shaon scripts ‘Gouripur Junction’

Meher Afroz Shaon does not like to be labelled as a ‘woman film-maker’, “If we do not call a doctor or lawyer as a ‘woman doctor’ or a ‘woman lawyer’ then a film-maker should not be called a ‘woman film-maker’ either.” Shaon said she is drafting scripts of ‘Gouripur Junction’ and ‘Nokkhottrer Raat’ (Starry Night) while working on another one. “As I’ve started making movies, I’ll continue with this”, she said with confidence.

Rubaiyat sketches ‘Shimu’

Rubaiyat Hossain is working on the script of ‘Shimu’. “I’ve not thought it through as yet. We’ve seen the locations and are thinking about the cast. Let’s see, we’ll begin soon.” She hopes to start working this year. Her last film ‘Under Construction’ was acclaimed at home and abroad and also won an award.

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Nusrat Nowrin.