Young filmmakers in Bangladesh have called for the creation of an independent film commission to ensure the freedom to produce films that reflect the experiences and stories of ordinary people.
At an open discussion on "Cultural Politics: The Excuse of Cinema," organised by the revolutionary platform July Ganaparisar at the National Museum in Shahbagh, filmmakers voiced concerns about the restrictive cultural atmosphere fostered by what they described as the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina.
They argued that political interference has trapped the artistic community in a metaphorical "glass house," limiting creative freedom.
The discussion, moderated by filmmaker Kamar Ahmad Simon, featured speeches from nine young directors who also addressed past missteps in the cultural sector and engaged in self-criticism. Following their presentations, a question-and-answer session took place.
Among the speakers were filmmakers Sumon Rahman, Aung Rakhine, Tasmiah Afrin Mou, Laboni Ashrafi, Sajedul Islam, Mohammad Touqir Islam, Jahin Farooq Amin, Nurul Amin Atiq, and A Al Mamun, a professor at Rajshahi University's Mass Communication & Journalism Department.
Kamar Ahmad Simon criticised the government, accusing it of dividing the nation by framing cultural discourse around the liberation war and Islam. "For 15 years, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote has driven cultural politics, pitting the spirit of 1971 against fundamentalism.
The artistic community is now trapped in a glass house, complicit in creating the Frankenstein of autocratic rule under Hasina," Simon said.
He went on to say that in the last 15 years, no film has been made that truly reflects the realities of the people or society, adding, "We have been living through a trauma, and the culture of tomorrow will be shaped by today's cultural politics."
Sumon Rahman lamented the industry's decline, claiming, "Fascism has destroyed the film industry over the past 15 years." He also criticised those who supported the regime, contrasting them with the filmmakers involved in the 2024 mass uprising.
Aung Rakhine described film as a tool for social change, expressing frustration over the state of the industry. "Filmmakers are a minority, and in the last 15-20 years, we haven’t produced any quality films. It's a tragedy," he said, while also highlighting ongoing issues in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.