United News of Bangladesh

Bangladeshi miniseries “Annie”, directed by Abdullah Mohammad Saad and starring Nazifa Tushi, has won the “Future is Sensible Award for Best Series” at the 32nd Geneva International Film Festival in Switzerland. The award was officially announced at the festival’s awards ceremony held recently at Théâtre Pitoëff, located at Maison Communale de Plainpalais in Geneva, according to a press release issued on Sunday. Making its debut at the prestigious festival as a selected project in the “Future is Sensible” section, Annie secured the Best Series award in the same category, marking a significant international achievement for the Bangladeshi production. In a statement on behalf of the cast and crew, the team said, "We only wanted to tell a story. Today, it feels wonderful to see that story taking flight on its own wings. Annie is a long journey of a dream built on the trust and courage of many of us. This international recognition has made that journey even more special and memorable." The miniseries had two screenings during the 32nd edition of the festival, on November 2 and 5 at Le Cinéma du Grütli - Salle Simon in Geneva. Its award was announced at the festival's closing ceremony. Directed by Abdullah Mohammad Saad, it features Nazifa Tushi in the titular role. Yash Rohan, Simon Sadik, Sarika Sabrin, Farhana Mithu and Najah, among others, also appear in the production. Earlier, Annie was selected for the “Women in Series” section of Seriencamp Festival, an international series festival held in Cologne, Germany. The selection marked another international platform for the Bangladeshi production. Its world premiere took place at the same festival on June 9. The producers have said the series will subsequently be released for Bangladeshi audiences on OTT platform iScreen. Annie is produced by Metro Video, Catalog and Zirel. Ehsanul Haque Babu and Ali Afzal Ujjal are the producers, while Tanvir Hossain, Shihab Nurun Nabi, Tuhin Tamizul, Johan Chapelan, Saiful Islam and Raihan Sikder are the co-producers. Abdullah Mohammad Saad first gained international recognition with his debut feature film “Live from Dhaka” in 2016. His second film, “Rehana Maryam Noor”, made in 2021, was selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Bangladeshi film to be included in the festival's official selection. The film subsequently screened at more than 15 international festivals.  

Russell Brand's convictions for rape and sexual assault have renewed scrutiny of the BBC and other media organisations over whether they ignored or tolerated his behaviour during his rise to fame as a comedian and broadcaster. Brand, 51, was convicted Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving multiple women. He was acquitted of two rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. He is scheduled to be sentenced Monday. For three consecutive years while working at BBC radio stations, Brand received The Sun's "Shagger of the Year" title, reflecting his provocative public image. However, critics say his behaviour was overlooked by employers and the wider public. The BBC apologised last year for a culture of silence that prevented staff from reporting his conduct between 2006 and 2008, saying some considered him too influential. It renewed the apology following his conviction. The case gained momentum after The Times and Channel 4 jointly published allegations from women in 2023. Their investigation encouraged others to come forward, providing evidence that led to his conviction. Brand's former BBC colleagues had previously raised concerns about his conduct. In 2008, he resigned from Radio 2 after an on-air prank involving actor Andrew Sachs and his granddaughter. The BBC was subsequently fined 150,000 pounds by the broadcasting regulator. Channel 4 also apologised in 2024 for failing to investigate a serious complaint against Brand made by an employee in 2009. He was convicted of sexually assaulting the former employee while working on a channel project. Media and marketing experts said Brand's provocative persona, which was widely promoted by the media, may have helped normalise his behaviour and discouraged people from recognising warning signs.

A large crowd of music lovers gathered at Manik Mia Avenue on Saturday to enjoy ‘Concert for Solidarity’, organised to mark the National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and managed by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the open-air concert was held with support from the Bangladesh Musical Bands Association (BAMBA). Although visitors started arriving in the morning, the crowd began swelling in the afternoon. People turned up with friends and family members to enjoy live performances by their favourite bands. Following a rally organised by the BNP, the concert venue turned into a sea of people, with music enthusiasts of different age groups eagerly waiting for the performances. Seven popular Bangladeshi bands performed at the concert, including Nagar Baul James, Miles, Warfaze, Feedback, Artcell, Shironamhin and Mechanics. The musical event began at 4 pm, with entry open to all. Monzur Hasan, who came from Mirpur to attend the concert, said it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy performances by so many popular bands on the same stage. “I am particularly looking forward to listening to James and Miles live,” he said. Naila Mariam, a young visitor, said young people have always shown strong interest in Bangladeshi band music, adding that such initiatives would help introduce the next generation to the country's homegrown music scene. “Being able to enjoy performances by favourite bands live is a completely different experience,” she said. Many visitors expressed excitement, particularly over the opportunity to watch James, Miles and Warfaze perform live. Several also thanked the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for arranging the open-air concert on the occasion of the historic day, while calling for more such initiatives. Nagar Baul James took the stage as the final act of the concert, bringing the seven-band musical event to a close. His performance was among the most anticipated attractions of the evening, drawing enthusiastic responses from the audience. Meanwhile, security measures were tightened around the concert venue, with additional police personnel deployed at the site and surrounding areas. Police were seen on duty to ensure the safety of visitors and maintain law and order throughout the event.

Seven of the country's popular bands, including Nagar Baul James, Miles and Warfaze, will perform at an open-air concert on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Saturday, marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Titled “Concert for Solidarity”, the event is being organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Bangladesh Musical Bands Association (BAMBA), with the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy serving as the management partner. The lineup also features Feedback, Artcell, Shironamhin and Mechanics. Announcing the event on its Facebook page, BAMBA described it as a celebration of unity and solidarity, featuring seven iconic bands on one stage for seven hours. "One city, one stage, seven iconic bands, seven hours of performances. A unique spirit of unity and solidarity. Get ready for an unforgettable musical experience. The bonds of unity, harmony and goodwill will be celebrated through music at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka," the association said. The same announcement was shared on the official Facebook pages of Miles, Feedback, Warfaze, Shironamhin, Artcell and Mechanics, inviting music lovers to attend the event. Nagar Baul James also invited fans to the concert, writing on Facebook, "Dear friends, see you on November 7 at Manik Mia Avenue on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day." The open-air concert will begin at 4pm and continue for around seven hours. The event is open to all, with no entry fee. Several concerts have been cancelled or postponed in recent times over security concerns, while open-air musical events have also been affected.  Against this backdrop, Saturday's concert has generated anticipation among music enthusiasts eager to enjoy a large-scale live music event in the capital.  

Danish comedian Rasmus Wallbridge spent four months believing he was working on a feature film with his longtime creative partner, only to discover that the project was actually an elaborate television prank recorded using hidden cameras, sparking widespread criticism across Denmark. The resulting programme, titled "Everyone Loves Rasmus", premiered on Danish broadcaster TV 2's platforms on Oct 26. However, it was withdrawn less than a week later following a public backlash, prompting the broadcaster to apologise to Wallbridge. Throughout most of the production, Wallbridge believed he was making a Danish horror-comedy alongside his creative partner Martin Johannes Larsen. In reality, hidden cameras placed behind mirrors, inside coffee cups and USB sticks, and even sewn into his clothes recorded his interactions with people he thought were actors and production collaborators. According to TV 2, more than 100 people, including several Danish celebrities, participated in making the programme, with most of them aware of the prank. Before the show's launch, Larsen described its concept as an effort to demonstrate courage, explore boundaries and create something entirely new. TV 2 said Wallbridge was informed about the real nature of the programme before its broadcast and was given the authority to prevent its release. Wallbridge said he had been fully committed to the film project because making a feature film was a major personal ambition. He described the experience as surprising but acknowledged that, as a comedian, he could understand its entertainment value. He compared the experience to a real-life version of "Klovn", a Danish comedy series about an awkward comedian who is repeatedly manipulated by his more successful best friend. Despite Wallbridge's initially restrained reaction, the programme faced intense criticism, with critics accusing its creators of psychologically manipulating him throughout the production. Some also questioned whether Wallbridge could have felt pressured to approve the broadcast because of the involvement of numerous influential personalities and concerns about possible consequences for his career. TV 2 said several cast members, their family members and others involved in the production had received abusive messages and direct threats following the controversy. In an Instagram post at the end of October, Wallbridge acknowledged the public debate but said he would remain silent. He also clarified that even his closest associates had been unaware of the programme's actual nature during filming. Larsen later apologised, saying the programme was intended as a tribute to Wallbridge rather than an attempt to ridicule him.

Anthony Ippolito took an unconventional approach to securing the lead role in 'I Play Rocky', a film about Sylvester Stallone's struggle to write and star in the original 'Rocky'. After learning that Oscar-winning director Peter Farrelly was developing the project, the 27-year-old actor decided to submit an audition tape despite never being invited to audition. "I kind of just took it upon myself to make some stuff on my own and kind of send it to them unsolicited," Ippolito told The Associated Press ahead of the film's limited release Friday. Director Farrelly said Ippolito's audition immediately convinced the team that they had found their lead, cancelling plans for a worldwide casting search. Farrelly praised the actor for capturing Stallone's personality without simply imitating his famous screen characters. Ippolito previously portrayed a young Al Pacino in the miniseries 'The Offer', which explored the making of the 1972 film 'The Godfather'. Farrelly had admired his performance but did not initially realise Ippolito was the actor behind the portrayal. The director said the performance demonstrated Ippolito's ability to transform himself into different characters. Preparing for the role, Ippolito focused on Stallone's difficult childhood, limited parental support and feelings of isolation to understand the experiences that shaped the actor before he became famous. He also explored Stallone's determination to retain the lead role in 'Rocky', reportedly turning down offers worth around $300,000 for his screenplay rather than surrender the opportunity to star in the film. Ippolito said Stallone's conviction and commitment to pursuing his dream despite the risks were central to the story. AnnaSophia Robb, who portrays Stallone's first wife, Sasha, praised Ippolito's transformation, saying his extensive preparation over 18 months made his performance feel natural on set. Ippolito said the film's growing reception had been rewarding. Stallone, who was not directly involved in the production apart from a conversation with Farrelly, has also watched the film and praised the performance. "It's fantastic. And the kid did a great job," Stallone told the AP in September, adding that it felt unusual to see a film about his life while he was still alive.

Bangladeshi documentary ‘Mamun: In Praise of Shadows’, portraying the life and artistic journey of eminent photographer Nasir Ali Mamun, has won the Best Biographical Documentary award at the MosDocFest Documentary Film Festival in Moscow, Russia. Directed by British-Bangladeshi filmmaker Makbul Chowdhury, the film has previously received recognition at two international film festivals, winning the Best Documentary award at the UK Asian Film Festival in the United Kingdom and a Special Jury Mention at the fifth World Film Festival in Kolkata. The Moscow award marks another milestone in the documentary's international journey, bringing further attention to the work of one of Bangladesh's most distinctive portrait photographers. Nasir Ali Mamun has established a significant position in Bangladesh's photography landscape through decades of work dedicated to portraiture. Known for his distinctive approach to capturing human faces and personalities, he has developed a visual language that goes beyond conventional portrait photography, seeking to explore the character, emotions and inner dimensions of his subjects. Through his camera, Mamun has documented prominent personalities from different fields, creating a substantial visual record of individuals who have shaped the country's cultural, intellectual and artistic landscape. His portraits are distinguished by an individual artistic sensibility, often focusing on the relationship between the subject, their surroundings and the deeper human stories behind their public identities. Over the years, his sustained engagement with portrait photography has helped establish his reputation as a prominent figure in the country's photographic tradition. His work offers not only individual representations of notable personalities but also a broader visual reflection of the society and times in which they lived. ‘Mamun: In Praise of Shadows’ traces this long artistic journey, examining the photographer's creative philosophy, working process and contribution to the development of portrait photography in Bangladesh. The documentary also explores how Mamun's photographs have become part of the country's cultural and visual memory, preserving the faces and personalities of different generations through his distinctive photographic perspective. By bringing together his life, artistic practice and photographic archive, the documentary offers audiences an insight into the journey of an artist whose work has consistently explored the relationship between photography, identity and human expression, according to the director.

Chorki’s acclaimed series ‘Feu’ is returning in a complete format as ‘Feu Complete Saga’, bringing its full story to the streaming platform on November 12. Inspired by the tragic Marichjhapi massacre, the fictional series explores heroism, survival and political intrigue against the backdrop of the Sundarbans. The story follows the mysterious figure Marshall, a representative of ordinary people, while young Daniel becomes embroiled in a bloody confrontation with foreign agents. Written by Sukorno Shahed Dhiman and Romel Rahman, the screenplay was developed by Dhiman and Siddiq Ahamed. Several questions remained unanswered after the first season: Is Sunil still alive or a victim of political conspiracy? Will Marshall (Mostafizur Noor Imran), who transformed from a honey collector into a pirate leader, succeed in securing his people's rights? Will the people of Dumurjhapi find shelter? Director Dhiman said the new release would answer these questions and clarify the geopolitics surrounding the community. The nine-episode series will premiere on Chorki at 12 am on November 12. Its teaser was released on November 3. Dhiman clarified that ‘Feu Complete Saga’ is not simply a second season but combines portions of the first season with the remaining story to present the complete narrative. He said viewers who had not watched the first season would also be able to understand the entire story, describing the new release as the real and complete version of ‘Feu’. Filming took place between 2023 and 2024 in Chalna, Batiaghata, Bajua, Mongla, Khulna and Satkhira, highlighting the heroism and culture of southern Bangladesh. Chanchal Chowdhury plays Sunil, while Mostafizur Noor Imran portrays Marshall. The cast also includes Tariq Anam Khan, Tanvir Apurbo, Hossain Zibon, Tahmina Authoi, Rizvi Rizu and others. More than a hundred artistes from Khulna, Bagerhat and Batiaghata took part in the production. Imran described Marshall as the reflection of a true fighter, saying the character's appearance, clothing, body language and behaviour carried considerable depth. Chorki CEO Redoan Rony said the first season's story, locations and visuals had generated discussion among viewers. He expressed hope that the series' visuals and performances would make its portrayal of history and struggle more engaging. The title ‘Feu’ refers to a jackal whose calls alert others to a tiger's presence. According to Dhiman, the word also reflects the fear and anxiety that become part of everyday life, making it relevant to the series' political narrative. The story draws on the 1979 Marichjhapi massacre in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, where lower-caste Hindu refugees, including members of the Namasudra community, were evicted from an island settlement. While official records put the death toll at two, various estimates suggest more than a thousand people were killed.

An unidentified celebrity on Tuesday lost a legal bid to prevent two British media organisations from publishing allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Lawyers representing Independent Television News (ITN) and the publisher of The Guardian told the High Court last month that the allegations concerned the man's alleged abuse of power and influence, including attempts to approach several young women for inappropriate sexual activities. The celebrity has denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly threatened to take his own life if the allegations were made public, according to the court's ruling. His lawyer, Sara Mansoori, previously told the court that he attempted suicide after receiving letters from ITN and Guardian News and Media seeking his response to the allegations. She said he made another attempt later and was recently hospitalised for psychiatric treatment. The case has attracted considerable attention across Britain, raising questions about the balance between the privacy rights of public figures and the media's responsibility to report matters of public interest. Gavin Millar, representing the media organisations, said the allegations had emerged from an extensive and thorough investigation, arguing that their publication served a significant public interest. According to a summary of Tuesday's judgment, the media organisations alleged that the celebrity had used his public profile and influence over several years to establish relationships with young women, some considerably younger than him, and had engaged in or attempted to engage in seriously inappropriate behaviour. The judgment noted that some of the alleged actions, if established, could constitute criminal offences. Justice Matthew Nicklin rejected the injunction application, ruling that granting it would constitute an exceptionally serious restriction on the media organisations' rights. The judge acknowledged that the man had a serious and longstanding psychiatric vulnerability and that publishing the allegations would significantly increase his risk of suicide. However, he said the available evidence did not establish that suicide was inevitable. He also observed that the man's statements could not reliably demonstrate that future medical treatment or intervention would be unable to reduce the risk. The judge ruled that the celebrity's identity should remain undisclosed to give him an opportunity to appeal the decision. Reporters Without Borders UK welcomed the court's ruling on Tuesday but called for the remaining reporting restrictions to be removed. In a statement, the organisation said that although the potential risks of harm must be treated seriously, responsible journalism serving the public interest should be allowed to continue. It warned that setting dangerous legal precedents could have consequences beyond individual cases, adding that neither wealth nor access to expensive legal representation should protect anyone from legitimate public scrutiny.

Veteran singer Sheikh Shahed Ali, popularly known as ‘Rokzana’ Shahed, is undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital in the capital after suffering a stroke. The singer, who has been battling kidney disease for years, has developed fresh complications amid his prolonged struggle with the illness. Ershadul Haque, a friend of the singer and head of Cool Exposure, said Shahed has been undergoing regular dialysis for the past four years. He said Shahed had been preparing to release 24 new songs composed over the past 11 years. An event marking the release was scheduled for November 6 at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka which has been cancelled due to the singer's illness, he added. Shahed was also preparing to travel to Delhi after November 15 for a kidney transplant but the  trip has now been postponed due to his current medical condition, Ershadul said. Shahed Ali is the founder of the band ‘Gachh’ and has been involved in music since the 1990s. He is also known in the music scene as ‘Rokzana’ Shahed. Some of his popular songs include ‘Rokzana’, ‘Upolobdhi’, ‘Classroom-e Boshe Shekha’, ‘Utpakhir Dim’, ‘Khola Chul’ and ‘Prem Ashbei’. His debut album ‘Probhu’ was released in 1991. He has released five more albums since then.