23rd DIFF commences, imbued with the spirit of July
The essence of the July movement was at the heart of the 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) today, which officially kicked off at the National Museum's main auditorium.
This year, in honour of the martyrs of July, seven short films will be screened during the festival at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the National Museum, the National Art Gallery of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the North South University (NSU) Auditorium, and the Green University of Bangladesh (GUB) Auditorium.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The festival kicked off with a melodious performance by Joler Gaan, whose music showcased a vivid portrait of Bangladesh's rich culture. They performed their famous songs "Pakhir Gaan", "Pitha-Pulir Gaan", "Emon Jodi Hoto", and "Bokul Phool", to which the crowd vibed delighfully.
A minute of silence was observed to remember the martyrs of the anti-fascist movement in July.
Information Adviser Nahid Islam served as the chief guest, with Jalal Ahmed, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, presiding over the event. Ambassador Yao Wen of the People's Republic of China in Bangladesh, and Xu Yang, director of the International Department of the China Film Administration, were present as special guests. Ilias Kanchan, who serves as a juror in the Asian Film Competition section of DIFF, was also present at the programme.
"This is not just a film festival; it serves as a platform to connect Bangladesh with global cinema, highlighting our culture, creativity, and artistic achievements. Out of the 220 films being showcased, 44 are from Bangladesh, reflecting the growth and talent of our film industry," stated Nahid Islam.
The information adviser also encouraged young filmmakers to use their art to promote the history of the July Revolution.
"I urge our filmmakers to create films about the historic student and public uprising of the July-August Movement, which played a pivotal role in restoring democracy in our country. This movement exposed the flaws in our political system through the awareness and active participation of youth, paving the way for democratic structures. I encourage filmmakers to document these events and present them on both national and international platforms. I wish this festival great success and hereby declare the inauguration of the festival," the adviser concluded.
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said, "Film is an art form that transcends language and culture barriers — presenting human emotions, dreams, and stories in a unique way. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh. The year also commemorates the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema."
Ambassador Yao expressed his joy in announcing that the opening ceremony marks the official inauguration of both the diplomatic anniversary celebrations and the Chinese Film Week.
He added, "From today, 20 outstanding Chinese films will be screened at the Dhaka International Film Festival. 15 Chinese film professionals will engage in in-depth interactions with Bangladeshi audiences."
Xu Yang stated, "We aim to deepen cooperation between the film industries of both countries through film exhibitions."
He expressed gratitude to the Dhaka Film Festival and the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh for organising this year's China Film Week, where popular Chinese films will be showcased.
"The filmmakers who came to Dhaka will also interact and communicate with the audience after the film screening. I sincerely hope that through this medium the people of China and Bangladesh can enhance mutual understanding," he stated.
China is the country of focus this year, and the inaugural ceremony featured a screening of the Chinese film "Moon Man" (directed by Zhang Chiyu) at 7:00pm. This 2022 sci-fi comedy tells the story of the "last human in the universe," stranded on the moon after an asteroid destroys life on Earth.
The festival, which will run until January 19, will host screenings at various venues, including the National Museum, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Green University of Bangladesh Auditorium, and North South University.
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