Three Bangladeshi films invited to Toronto Film Festival

Three films from Bangladesh have been invited to be screened in ‘International South Asian Film Festival 2015’ in Toronto, Canada. The films are – Shah Alam Kiran’s ‘Ekattorer Ma Janani’, Ashraf Shishir’s ‘Gariwala’ and Riazul Rizu’s ‘Bapjaner Bioscope’. The five-day festival, scheduled to take place from May 14 to 18.On the occasion of the festival, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Rokeya Prachi, Nipun, Shah Alam Kiran and Ashraf Shishir from Bangladesh will take part at the event.’Ekattorer Ma Jononi’, a film based on the country’s Liberation War, has been directed by Shah Alam Kiran. The film, which has been produced by the government donation, has made attempts just to let the new generation know about the sacrifices of the 30 lakh martyrs and two lakh women who were tortured by the Pakistani Army in 1971. ‘Ekattorer Ma Janani’–based on Anisul Haque’s novel ‘Janani Sahasini 1971’–includes Nipun in the lead role, where she will be seen in three different roles. Made under government grant received in 2012, the film features the ambiance pre and post of the Liberation War. The cast of the play includes Mishu Chowdhury, Nasrin Akter Nipun, Agun, Shakil Ahmed, MM Morshed, Sazu and Sohan, among others.Besides the world premiere of ‘Ekattorer Ma Janani’, the screening of ‘Bapjaner Bioscope’ and ‘Gariwala’ will be held at Cineplex Odeon Town Square on May 17 during the festival.’Gariwala’, young filmmaker Ashraf Shishir’s debut film that received a government grant in Bangladesh, features a story of the indomitable dream of two young siblings. Their mother works at a rice mill despite severe illness, while the father is a rickshaw-puller, who has been missing for two years. They stroll about the village all day and even with their mother’s disagreement, but they do not own such a car. One day, they sell water lilies to buy old bearings, make their own car and win the race. In the city, one brother discovers their father with his new family. They find their mother half-dead and rush her to the hospital in the car. The film stars Rokeya Prachi, Raisul Islam Asad, Masud Aziz, Imran, Saki Farzana and others.’Gariwala’, also won the best screenplay award at the North Carolina Film Festival in the USA. The film received the best screenplay award at the festival held on January 24-25 this year. The film also bagged the best supporting actor award and the best child artiste award at the carnival.On the other hand, ‘Bapjaner Bioscope’, written and directed by Riazul Rizu, stars Shahiduzzaman Selim, Sanjida Tanmay, Shatabdi Wadud and Masum Mohiuddin, among others.