Cox’s Bazar Film Society announced on Wednesday that it will hold a two-day film screening event on June 5 and 6 in protest against the disruption of a screening of ‘Bonolota Express’ in Brahmanbaria and to promote a healthy film culture in Bangladesh.
The announcement was made at a press conference held beneath the banyan tree at Shaheed Daulat Maidan on the premises of Cox’s Bazar Public Library.
Among those present were the organisation’s General Secretary Yassir Arafat, Joint General Secretary Jahin Faruk Amin, Office and Communications Secretary Farhad Zaman Jony, and member Abdu Rashid Manik.
The event, titled ‘Cox’s Bazar Talkies’, will take place at Shaheed Subhash Hall of Cox’s Bazar Public Library. Audiences will be able to watch three films each day between 3 pm and 9 pm.
Organisers said film-related activities in Cox’s Bazar had remained limited for a long time and that the initiative was intended to bring film enthusiasts together while creating a new cultural space for audiences.
On the first day, June 5, ‘Hawa’, directed by Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, will be screened at 3 pm. Shahin Dil-Riaz’s documentary ‘Rakib Khan: The Projectionist’ will be shown at 6 pm, followed by ‘Delupi’, directed by Mohammad Toukir Islam and his team, at 7 pm.
On the second day, June 6, ‘Fatima’, directed by Dhruva Hasan, will be screened at 3pm. Fazle Rabbi’s short film ‘Tadattwo Onneshan : The Eternal Journey’ will follow at 5.30 pm, while Tanim Noor’s ‘Bonolota Express’ will be screened at 6.30 pm.
Joint General Secretary Jahin Faruk Amin said all films would be screened with English subtitles, allowing both local and international audiences to enjoy them. Entry fees have been set at Tk100, while students will be able to attend for Tk50. Registration will be available both online and at the venue.
Speaking at the press conference, General Secretary Yassir Arafat said, “Film is not merely a form of entertainment. It is an important component of society and culture. It is necessary to ensure an environment where film screenings can contribute to the growth of free thought and creativity.”
He added that the organisers hoped Cox’s Bazar Talkies would create new opportunities for regular film screenings and audience-centred cultural activities in the district.
