Entertainment
Coke Studio's 'Chiltey Roud': Arnob whips up another magical track
Coke Studio Bangla Sunday released its fifth track "Chiltey Roud" – an ode to loved ones – where the show curator and producer Shayan Chowdhury Arnob made his singing debut.
Young folk singer Ripon Kumar Sarkar, popularly known as Boga Taleb, voiced the soulful fusion – combining legendary Bhawaiya song "O Ki Ekbar Ashiya" written and sung by Abbasuddin Ahmed – with Arnob.
No matter where or who someone is, the deep blue sky speaks to them just the same.
The same sky that bestows shade over the arable soils of the village also brings relief over the busy streets of a metro city. The language of love and yearning for loved ones is universal.
The urban lyrical picturisation of Chiltey Rodey written by Saron Datta interweaves with the pain and yearning of O Ki Ekbar Ashiya to express the same deep emotion and hunger in people's hearts, in cities and villages, to be close and in the presence of love.
The chief sound engineer of the song is Faizan R Ahmad (Buno) and the track was mixed and mastered by Buno, Saadul Islam and Yash Divecha. Jannatul Firdous Akbar and Rubayat Rehman provided backing vocals.
The track was performed by Jalal Ahmed (bansuri), Saadul Islam (electric guitar), Imran Ahmed (electric guitar), Shuvendu Das Shuvo (acoustic guitar), Faizan Rashid Ahmad (Buno) (bass guitar), Rahin Haider (tenor saxophone), Sayonton Mangsang (bansuri), Hassan Haider Khan (shehnai), Pantho Kanai (drums), Mithun Chakra (percussions), Pradyut Chatterjea (piano), Mubarak Islam (percussion) and Md Ashikul Islam (esraj).
Directed by Krishnendu Chattopaddhyay, the video production of the song was done by Dope Productions Private.
BTV to air Buddha Purnima special programme 'Jaytu Buddha Sasanang’
Celebrating Buddha Purnima, the main religious festival of the Buddhists, a special program 'Jaytu Buddha Sasanang' will be aired simultaneously on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and BTV World at 8:40 pm on Sunday.
Produced by BTV Producer (programme) Sadiqul Islam Neugi ponney, the program will feature religious music, dance and drama.
A part of Gautam Buddha's life has been highlighted through a special drama presentation as part of the programme.
Also Read: Khagrachhari celebrates 38th anniversary of BTVs Bonophul Theke Lok Lokaloye
Reality show ‘Close-Up One’ famed singer Nishita Barua performed religious tracks at the programme, while more than two hundred artistes from the Dharmarajika Lalitkala Academy took part in the musical segments.
Recorded in Bangladesh Television's own studio, the programme is planned and written by Dr Sumon Kanti Barua.
‘Moshari’ wins Atlanta Film Festival Jury Award
Young Bangladeshi filmmaker Nuhash Humayun's horror short film ‘Moshari’ won the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short at the Atlanta Film Festival (ALTFF) 2022, one of the few Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the world.
The news was confirmed by Nuhash himself on his verified Facebook page on Thursday night.
“MOSHARI is now OSCAR QUALIFYING! Our Bangladeshi horror film just won the Atlanta Film Festival Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short, an Oscar Qualifying Award. Thank you to my incredible team, my family, and my industry colleagues in Bangladesh and beyond for being part of this journey,” Nuhash wrote.
'Moshari' had its world premiere at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival back in March this year. The 22-minute film stars 'No Dorai'-famed actress Sunerah Binte Kamal and Nuhash's niece Nairah Onora Saif.
Also read: Chorki releases third episode of Nuhash Humayun’s “Pett Kata Shaw”
“When the world is overrun with bloodthirsty creatures, the last of mankind perseveres in Dhaka by spending their nights inside the moshari (mosquito net) — the only known shelter from the unknown threat. Two sisters, Apu (Sunehra) and Ayra (Nairah), must navigate this strange new world to survive.
“However, their strained relationship is becoming as much of a threat as the dangers outside. One night, when Ayra’s curiosity lures her outside the safety of the moshari, Apu must rise to the occasion — as they face their demons, together,” according to the synopsis described on the film’s official website.
Describing the award-nominated film, the ALTFF jury said, "Working with familiar horror elements, 'Moshari' constructs a totally surprising edge-of-your-seat story that brings real world social-political realities into a brilliant unique world."
“I wanted to capture our strange relationship with the moshari — a metaphor for both safety and suffocation. The specific mix of fear, wonder and mystery of being a Bangladeshi kid restlessly poking the moshari wondering what’s on the other side. These emotions have existed for generations as folk tales and primal fears, but not in a cinematic space - not yet,” Nuhash described his motive behind this film in the ‘Director’s Note’ section on the official website of the film.
“It took over ten years for the initial seed of the idea to grow into our film, a family drama in the guise of Bengali horror,” he added.
Alongside winning the award at the 2022 ATLFF, ‘Moshari’ has also been selected for Marché du Film-Festival de Cannes and also for the SITGES Festival International de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya's Fantastic 7 segment.
Also read: 'Golui' receives screening permit in Jamalpur once again
Since 1976, the ALTFF shows a diverse range of independent films, with special attention paid to women-directed films, LGBTQ films, Latin American films, Black films and films from the American Southeast.
This year’s festival was held from April 21 to May 1, 2022.
Star Cineplex to open new branch at Bangabandhu Military Museum Thursday
Bangladesh's first multiplex chain Star Cineplex will open its latest branch at Bangabandhu Military Museum Thursday.
The branch – Star Cineplex's fifth in Dhaka – will screen movies with a single screen, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, senior manager (media and marketing) at Star Cineplex, told UNB.
It will run three shows at 11am, 1:40pm and 4:15pm, he added.
Star Cineplex now has branches at Shimanto Shambhar (Dhanmondi), Sony Square (Mirpur), SKS Tower (Mohakhali) and Bashundhara City Shopping Mall (Panthapath).
The popular cinema hall franchise is also preparing to open several other multiplexes outside Dhaka – namely, Chattogram, Cumilla and Bogura.
To enthral Bangladeshi moviegoers with world-class amenities, Star Cineplex opened its first branch on October 6, 2004, as Bangladesh's first-ever multiplex at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Dhaka.
Latest domestic and Hollywood films are regularly being screened at its citywide multiplexes.
Also read: Star Cineplex to open its maiden theatre in Chattogram next year December 24, 2021
Tareq Ahmed to join Mumbai International Film Fest 2022 as international juror
Dhaka DocLab Director and Liberation DocFest Bangladesh Festival Director Tareq Ahmed has been invited to attend the 17th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) as one of the international jury members.
The oldest and largest film festival for non-feature films in South Asia since 1990 is organised by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
This is the first time the biennale festival invited a Bangladeshi film personality as its international juror.
This year's festival is also going to showcase 11 Bangladeshi short and documentary films, honouring the golden jubilee of the country's independence, Tareq told UNB.
"Today the MIFF officially invited me to join as one of the international jurors for the 17th edition of the prestigious biennale festival, scheduled to take place from May 29 to June 4. I am honoured and excited to join this event," he said.
Three Bangladeshi short films – Amitabh Reza Choudhury's "Silence," Suborna Senjutee Tushee's "Ripples," and Abu Sahed Emon's "Araimon Shopno" – are going to be showcased at the MIFF.
Seven documentary films – Shabnam Firdousi's "Born Together," Dilara Begum Jolly's "Jothorleena," Humaira Bilkis' "Garden of Memories," Ratan Pal's "Dojahan," Makbul Chowdhury's "Not a Penny Not a Gun," Suman Delowar's "Jolo Guerrilla" (Naval Commando), and Mafidul Haque's "Kaan Pete Roi" (Sound of Silence) will be screened.
Piplu R Khan's "Hasina: A Daughter's Tale" will also be showcased at the MIFF.
Best Rainy Day Movies to Excite Homebound Ecstasy
Rainy Day movies can make the celebration of staying at home during the monsoon more enjoyable. This is a great way to get wet in the rain without getting your body muddy. The torrential downpour of the classic movies can make you thrilled while the lightning and thunder are roaring outside. Let's check out some wonderful movies worth watching on a rainy day.
Top 10 Rainy Day Movies to Enjoy during Monsoon
Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Tim Robbins-Morgan Freeman
There is hardly any comparison to this 1994 movie when it comes to getting ultimate Pleasure with a mind-bending story and great acting. Frank Darabont was the screenwriter and director of this adaptation of Stephen King's novel.
It is the story of an innocent man's prison life, in which he befriends a smuggler in jail for falsely accusing his wife of murder. The movie received Academy Award nominations in a total of 7 categories including Best Acting.
Read Upcoming Dhaliwood Bengali Movies on Eid-ul-Fitr 2022
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Keanu Reeves-Carrie Anne Moss
This sci-fi movie directed by the Wachowskis Sisters is associated with some significant changes in the movie industry. This 2003 film is the third installment of the Matrix Quadrilogy. When man-made machines became a nightmare for the whole of mankind, only Neo could save everyone from this.
The Matrix showed an unprecedented dystopian world through a breathtaking story. The action sequence of Neo and Agent Smith in the Rain is still an iconic scene in film history.
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Daniel Radcliffe-Emma Watson
Any one of the Harry Potter film series is enough to enchant a rainy night. However, this version, released in 2004, is the first to feature a rain sequence in a Harry Potter movie. In this installment, Harry Potter and his friends have to deal with the horror of a frightening prisoner who just escaped.
The movie was nominated for a Visual Effect and Original Musical Score at the Academy Awards. This fantasy film is directed by Alfonso Cuarón and is based on J. K. Rowling's best selling novel of the same title.
Read Greatest Hollywood Gangster Movies of All Time
Baby driver (2017)
Ansel Elgort-Lily James
This 2017 movie is suitable for getting the feeling of riding a roller coaster while sitting at home. The movie depicts a skilled driver who, along with his girlfriend, tries to escape from the maze of the criminal world.
This action film shows some car stunts under the writing and direction of Edgar Wright. Its special achievements include the nominations for three Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and one Golden Globe Award.
Read Greatest Movies based on 1971, the Liberation War of Bangladesh
3 Idiots (2009)
Ameer Khan-Kareena Kapoor
Regardless of age, place, and time, this 2009 Bollywood blockbuster is everyone's favorite movie. The movie is directed by Rajkumar Hirani based on the concept of Chetan Bhagat's novel Five Point Someone.
This film depicts the negative aspects of the ongoing education system through the life stories of three friends from an engineering college. The humor of this film filled with some great songs will leave a residue even after the end of the movie. The commercially successful movie has been widely acclaimed nationally and internationally.
Read KGF Chapter 2: Expensive Kannada film made record for fastest grossing.
Barfi (2012)
Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra
Written and directed by Anurag Basu, this 2012 movie can instantly bring a wonderful feeling to the heart. The movie captures the brutal reality of life through the funny nuisances of a mute and deaf boy.
The film also stars Ileana D'Cruz in the lead role along with Ranbir and Priyanka. The film won a total of six awards, including Best Film at the Filmfare Awards. This romantic-comedy movie was enlisted in the row of the highest-grossing movies of 2012.
Read Greatest Films Featuring Women in Science
The Classic (2003)
Son Ye Jin-Jo In Sung
In this nonlinear screenplay, the love life of mother and daughter is shown side by side like a bioscope. The writer and director of the movie, Kwak Jae Yong, shows a great combination of love, waiting, war and tragedy.
Cho Seung Woo has also played the lead role in this Korean film with the Son Ye Jin-Jo In Sung pair. This 2003 melodrama film got 1 Blue Dragon Film, 1 Grand Bell, and 1 Korean Film Award.
Read Epic Islamic Movies Ever Made in History.
Be With You (2018)
Son Ye Jin-So Ji Sub
Little Ji Ho still believes that his mother, who passed away, will return at the beginning of a rainy season, as promised to his father. Soo Ah really comes back one day but she doesn't remember anything from her previous life.
Directed by Lee Jang Hoon, this 2018 movie is the Korean version of the 2004 Japanese film of the same title. The original story is taken from Takuji Ichikawa's novel. For those who love Korean pop culture, this romantic movie is worth watching.
Read Greatest Hollywood Detective Movies of All Times.
Police Story (1985)
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan means pulsating action stunts with lots of comedy. His Police Story franchise was started in 1985. This cop movie is about a police officer who goes to arrest a drug lord and gets involved in a dangerous situation.
There are a total of five movies in the film series and each one is very exciting. This action movie won Best Picture and Best Action Choreography at Hong Kong Film Awards.
Read Film Rajkumar: Everything about Shakib Khan’s Upcoming Movie with US Actress.
Antaheen (2009)
Rahul Bose-Radhika Apte
This Bengali movie is perfect for a romantic atmosphere in the pouring rain. The National Film Award-winning film of India is directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and written by Shyamal Sengupta.
The relationship between Abhik and Brinda was developed in the virtual world. But destiny changes just before they meet face to face in the real world. The songs in the tragedy-based movie are quite heartwarming. Even after listening once, they seem to be constantly humming in the ears.
Read Telugu Film RRR: Lifetime Record Breaker and the Pride of Indian Cinema.
Wrap Up
Grab a cup of hot coffee and watch any of these Rainy Day movies. Nothing more is needed to spend a rainy day with thrill and amusement. Before the movie starts, make sure that all the house chores are done. Repeated breaks in the movie can ruin the comfortable feeling in an instant. There is no comparison to being lost in the divine world of rain for the whole two hours in this way.
'Golui' receives screening permit in Jamalpur once again
After being restricted from screening in Jamalpur, Shakib Khan-starrer film ‘Golui received permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday to continue screening the film in the district.
Released on this year’s Eid-Ul-Fitr, the the government-funded film was being screened at the Jamalpur district Shilpakala Academy, Mirza Azam Auditorium in Jamalpur Sadar, Nurunnahar Multipurpose Auditorium in Madarganj and Faridul Haque Khan Dulal Auditorium in Islampur since the release of the movie, as there is no theater or cineplexes in Jamalpur except Asha Cinema Hall in Melandah Upazila.
However, Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Mursheda Zaman restricted the screening of the film stating that no "commercial movie" would be screened at these places, according to the Cinematograph Act, 1918.
This decision sparked massive criticism among the anticipating audiences, and several other Dhallywood filmmakers, actors and crew have expressed dissatisfaction over the decision on social media, including Shakib Khan himself.
On Tuesday, Jamalpur Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mokleshur Rahman and Islampur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanvir Hasan Ruman have granted access to screen the movie as per the directive of the Ministry, according to 'Golui's director S A Haque Olike.
Now that the restriction has been lifted, Olike said that the filmmakers, actors and crew of Bangladeshi cinema reverted the restriction through their protest.
READ: Tasnia Farin to make silver screen debut with Atanu Ghosh's film
“I wholeheartedly thank the honorable Minister and Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as well as everyone who supported ‘Golui’ for the sake of our Bengali cinema,” he said regarding the decision.
Based on a romantic storyline with the context of traditional ‘Nouka-Baich’ (Rowing) sports, 'Golui' has been released in 29 cinema halls across the country. The movie has been shot in different areas of Jamalpur.
Alongside Shakib Khan, the film features an ensemble cast including Puja Chery, Azizul Hakim, Ali Raj, Samu Chowdhury and more.
Warhol's 'Marilyn' auction nabs $195M; most for US artist
Andy Warhol's “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” sold for a cool $195 million on Monday, making the iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe the most expensive work by a U.S. artist ever sold at auction.
The 1964 silkscreen image shows Monroe in vibrant close-up — hair yellow, eyeshadow blue and lips red — on a rich blue background. It's also the most expensive piece from the 20th century ever auctioned, according to Christie’s auction house in New York, where the sale took place.
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The Warhol sale unseated the previous record holder and another modern master, Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose 1982 painting “Untitled” of a skull-like face sold for a record $110.5 million at Sotheby’s in 2017.
Christie's said an unnamed buyer made the purchase Monday night. When the auction was announced earlier this year, they estimated it could go for as much as $200 million.
“It’s an amazing price,” said Alex Rotter, chairman of Christie’s 20th and 21st century art department. “Let it sink in, it’s quite something.”
“This is where we wanted to be, clearly,” said Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of Christie’s. “It proves we are in a very resilient art market.”
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The proceeds of the sale will go to the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation Zurich, which put the painting up for auction. The foundation aims to help children with health care and educational programs.
Warhol created more than one image of Monroe; this particular painting has been exhibited in museums around the world.
Animation film on Bangabandhu screened in New York
The country's first animation based on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 'Mujib Amar Pita', has been screened in New York.
The world premiere of the film was held at the Bombay Theater in Queens, New York on Sunday, said a PID handout here on Monday.
The ICT Division made the animation based on the book titled "Sheikh Mujib Amar Pita", authored by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aiming to uphold Bangabandhu’s life before all particularly the new generation at home and abroad.
READ: World premiere of ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ held
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque was present as the chief guest at the premiere, while State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak as the special guest.
Palak said the film was earlier screened in different cinema halls in Bangladesh. Now the world premiere was organized in New York to uphold Bangabandhu's life, philosophy and political ideology in the world arena.
He said another film is being made on the basis of Bangabandhu’s unfinished memoirs ‘Oshomapto Attojiboni.’
Noting that a game was made on the Liberation War, he said it is being possible to unlock the potential of Bangladesh in the gaming and animation market.
The ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ film, directed by Sohel Mohammad Rana will later be screened in different cities of the United States.
World premiere of ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ held
The world premiere of ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is my father) was held at Bombay Theatre Hall in Queens of New York City on Sunday (April 8).
The animated film, based on the life and works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of the nation, was screened abroad for the first time after its release in Bangladesh.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division made the animation film to spread the heroic and successful story of Bangabandhu to the new generation across the globe.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque was present at the programme as the chief guest while state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present as the special guest.
Lawmakers Md Nurul Amin, Aparajita Haque, and Nahid Izhar Khan were also present.
Bangladesh Consul General in New York Dr. Mohammad Monirul Islam,moderated the function while Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Ambassador Rabab Fatima, and Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Bikarno Kumar Ghose were also present.
Sohel Mohammad Rana directed the film which will later be screened in various cities in the United States, said the ICT Division.