Save Bangladeshi film industry

by Qamarul Hassan Bablu
June 23, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/818/save-bangladeshi-film-industry

Bangladeshi film industry possibly is at the worst ever situation now-a-days. This is because of piracy, exorbitant rise in artiste payment, virtual non-cooperation from Bangladesh Film Development Corporation [BFDC] and step-motherly behavior of Bangladesh Film Censor Board [BFCB].

Few hundred dollars are invested each year in Bangladeshi film industry. Since the independence of the country, government was providing credit facilities in buying raw film as well as technical service from BFDC since the independence of Bangladesh. But, previous Islamist coalition government stopped all such facilities offered to the film producers in the country thus putting additional financial burden on the film producers in Bangladesh.

In addition, BFCB is continuing to show step-motherly attitude towards films producers in the country. During every political government, set of new people are appointed in the committee of BFCB, who are entrusted to watch the movies before issuing censor certificate.

But, the censor board in Bangladesh is again heavily influenced by Islamist laws. According to it, no producer can show any man wearing shorts. According to Sharia law, men cannot wear shorts, which would expose their knees. Moreover, censor board also forbids the film producers from showing anything against militant Islam, clergies or repression of religious minorities in Bangladesh. There is no scope for anyone of making any anti-Jihadist movie in the country.

Though police department is mostly corrupt in the country, but, Bangladesh Film Censor Board won't allow anyone in showing police officers receiving bribes from people. According to norms of BFCB, police officers should always be shown almost as angels, which surely do not reflect the exact situation in the society.

In India, film producers are eligible of receiving bank loans for funding any film. But, in Bangladesh, none of the banks are having any policy of investing in this particular sector. Almost three million people are directly or indirectly employed in film industry in Bangladesh. This is no negligible figure for a country like Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi government earns millions of Taka as amusement tax from the film sector every year. But, there is virtually no sign of any visible cooperation from the government to this sector.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is known as a great patron of cultural activities is requested to look into this matter and ensure required cooperation to Bangladeshi film producers.

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