Chalachchitram Film Society celebrates 30th anniversary

Chalachchitram Film Society has arranged a six-day film show featuring classic Bangladeshi movies to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The event, titled “Shornojuger Chhobi”, is being held at the Music and Dance Centre Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The festival started on December 22 with the screening of Soovas Dutt’s film “Shutorang” (1952). The event has been dedicated to the recently deceased film personality.

Morshedul Islam, filmmaker and president of Chalachhitram, said that during the initial stage of the film society movement in Bangladesh people would say that film societies only screen foreign films. He hoped that with such arrangements, people would realise that they are also dedicated to promoting and screening local films.

Veteran actor Razzaque formally inaugurated the festival. Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu was the chief guest. Hedayetullah Al Mamun, secretary, Ministry of Information, was the special guest. Among others, Kamrun Nahar, director general, Bangladesh Film Archive, spoke at the inaugural programme.

The organisers have selected 11 films by 10 directors (two by Soovas Dutt). Three acclaimed directors — Amjad Hossain, Abdul Latif Bachchu and Ruhul Amin — attended the inaugural ceremony.

The last couple of days featured screening of films — “Harano Din” (directed by Mustafiz, 1961); “Abirbhab” (Soovas Dutt, 1968); “Neel Akasher Nichey” (Narayan Ghosh Mita, 1969); “Pitch Dhala Poth” (Ehtesham, 1970); “Epar Opar” (Masud Parvez, 1975); “Nayan Moni” (Amjad Hossain, 1976).

Today, Abdul Latif Bachchu’s “Jadur Banshi” (1977) and Abdullah Al Mamun’s “Shareng Bou” (1978) will be screened respectively at 4 pm and 6:30 pm.

Tomorrow, the last day of the festival, two more films — “Nolok” (Shibli Sadique, 1978) and “Gaangchil” (Ruhul Amin, 1980) — will be screened

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Bangladesh Film Archive are assisting Chalachchitram in organising the festival.

Chalachhitram Film Society started its journey in 1982. Apart from arranging screening of films and other film related activities it has produced films such as “Chaka” (directed by Morshedul Islam).

Source: The Daily Star