Describing the film as a prime weapon for building a knowledge-based progressive society, President Abdul Hamid on Thursday urged film-makers, producers and artistes to highlight the country’s history and heritage in the film remaining accountable to the society and people.
“Film is not only a medium of entertainment, it is a strong mass media and also a mode of non-formal education. As it has good side, it has bad side also and its impact on the mind of the viewers is direct and long-lasting,” said the President while addressing the opening of the “15th Dhaka International Film Festival-2017” at the National Museum Auditorium here.
He said the role of film is immense in building the country and the nation as it reflects life and livelihood of people. Filmmakers, directors and artistes are ‘celebrities’, ‘stars’ or ‘idols’ in the society and they are very popular among young people, he said, adding that so, they should engage themselves in creative activities remaining accountable to the society.
Abdul Hamid said Liberation War is a glorious part of the history of Bengali and Bangladesh. Film played a strong and courageous role in the Liberation War and different democratic movements, he said and urged the filmmakers to highlight the true history of Liberation War so that the young generation can know it properly.
“It is our expectation that side by side with spreading the spirit of Liberation War, you would highlight the heritage of our age-old communal harmony. You would project hopes and expectations of the common people and also true and colourful parts of their life in celluloid,” he added.
Highlighting the history of film in this part of the world, the President said making the country’s first film ‘Mukh O Mukhash’ in 1956 and establishment of FDC in 1957 was the beginning of the journey of film. After 1947, movement got intensified in film industry like the political movement in the then East Pakistan, he said, adding that this movement got institutional shape under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
President Hamid said the then Industries Minister and young leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placed “East Pakistan Film Development Corporation’ bill in the East Pakistan provincial assembly in 1957 and the corporation started its activities from that year, he said, adding that it is now “Bangladesh Film Development Corporation” (BFDC).
He said over 188 films of 67 countries, including Bangladesh, will be screened in the festival. Filmmakers-critics and people concerned of the film industry will gather here centering the festival that will help Bengali movies consolidate its position in the film world, he added.
“I think that our young and creative filmmakers will get scope to enrich them with knowledge by watching films of different languages and cultures, which will play roles in building decent and positive culture in the country,” he hoped.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, President of International Federation of Film Critics Alin Tasciyan and Festival Director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal spoke on the occasion.
