‘No filmmaker should have to go through what I did’
Amidst the excitement for trailer for Hansal Mehta's "Faraaz", a film based on Bangladesh's tragic Holey Artisan attack in 2016, a sour aftertaste was felt by many. Hidden behind the frankly stellar cinematography and characterization of the Indian film was a glaring question – is it appropriate for our neighbouring country to make a film, with however 'noble' intentions, about one of the darkest days of our history?
The sentiment was echoed by many, including the family of the victims – Ruba Ahmed, mother of victim Abinta Kabir, in a press conference questioned, "who exactly gave Hansal Mehta the right to make a film on this attack? Imagine having to relive the death of your daughter on the big screen, just because a director wanted to capitalise on a national tragedy."
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She, however, did not have much to comment about Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's "Saturday Afternoon", noting that it was completely up to Bangladesh's censor board. The reason, partially at least, was the fact that Farooki did not use the names or likenesses of any real victims of the attack in his 83-minute one-shot endeavour.
After waiting for long four years, "Saturday Afternoon" received the censor clearance from Bangladesh Film Censor Board, that too on a Saturday afternoon, today.
The film got the clearance from the appeal committee led by actresses Suborna Mustafa and Sucharita, former Additional Secretary Nurul Karim, journalist and censor board member Shyamal Dutta.
"I feel relieved now," the director told The Daily Star. The film was submitted to the censor board on January 9, 2019. "It felt like I was stuck on that date of the calendar for the last four years, until today."
After reviewing the film, the board members initially had expressed their impressions as mostly positive to several media outlets at that time. Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar was one of the jury members to appreciate the film.
A day later, however, controversy started brewing over social media about how the film might hurt religious sentiments of Muslims in the country, owing to Zahid Hasan's beard and Nusrat Imrose Tisha's hijab.
Then, tragedy struck. The film was scheduled to be re-screened by the censor board on January 15, 2019. Peculiarly, they denied the film's theatrical release, on the grounds that it may deepen the religious divide in the country, and distort Bangladesh's image globally.
"For a filmmaker, it was extremely painful," he shared, "There was no clear communication at that time, however, I want to forget everything and keep moving ahead."
"We are now waiting for the official letter, and as soon as we complete the formalities, I will request them to complete the procedures as soon as possible, so that we can release it either on January 27 or February 3."
"I am grateful to my colleagues of Film Alliance of Bangladesh (FAB), to my audience and people from all walks of life who have stood for me," shared the director. "I hope that no filmmaker has to go through what I have, ever again".
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