‘Anyadin’ escapes censorship after years in limbo

After years of being barred from local screens, Kamar Ahmad Simon's internationally acclaimed film "Anyadin…" (Day After…) has finally been cleared for release in Bangladesh.
Responding to the much-anticipated release, Kamar told local media, "Art without politics is hypocrisy. Though nothing compares to people, it feels like 'Anyadin…' has been freed from detention today." He previously emphasised the role of cinema in shaping cultural narratives, especially in conversations about Bangladesh's future beyond 2024.
The film, an official selection at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival's Cinéfondation, has garnered international recognition over the years. In 2016, Simon made history as the first Bangladeshi filmmaker to be named a Featured Director at Locarno's Piazza Grande, where he also received the ARTE International Prize from France.
"Anyadin…" had its world premiere at the Tuschinski Theatre in Amsterdam during the 2021 IDFA main competition. It later won the Harrell Award for Best Feature at the Camden International Film Festival in 2022 and was selected as one of 18 global masterpieces at MoMI in New York. The film was also nominated for the Golden Eye at Zurich, competed at the Festival of Three Continents in Nantes, and screened at the Sydney Film Festival, among others.
Although "Anyadin..." received international recognition, it never saw the light of day in Bangladesh due to objections from the former Bangladesh Film Censor Board regarding its political themes. However, with its recent clearance, the long-imposed restriction has been lifted, allowing the film to finally premiere locally.
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