Eye on the motherland

‘Documenting Bangladesh 3’ begins

By Nadia Sarwat

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Documentaries effectively protest the injustices and social anomalies, thus possessing a powerful role to assess the development of a country. Celebrating this power to generate public awareness, a four-day documentary film festival began in the city on April 16. 

Titled "Documenting Bangladesh 3," the festival features films that see Bangladesh from different perspectives. The festival has been organised by Bangladesh Documentary Council. A total of 40 documentary films are being screened at the festival being held at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium and Seminar Hall of Central Public Library. This is the third film festival organised by the council. Manusher Jonnyo Foundation and Oxfam GB are sponsors of the event. Step Towards Development, Aktel, Standard Bank Ltd., Singer Bangladesh LTD., United Airways and Mustak Ahmed have also sponsored the festival. 

National Professor Kabir Chowdhury, one of the initiators of Bangladesh Chalachchitra Shangshad movement, inaugurated the festival. Filmmaker Manzare Hasin Murad, adviser, Bangladesh Documentary Council; Fauzia Khan, president of the council and Farhana Hafiz, programme officer of Oxfam GB were also present at the inauguration. Anwar Chowdhury, festival director and general secretary of Bangladesh Documentary Council, presented the welcome speech. 

In his inaugural speech Kabir Chowdhury noted, "Among the different genres of films, documentary holds a special place. Its significance is recognised worldwide. In a country where people often indulge into forgetting history, documentaries can play an important role in generating awareness in our past." 

"While the authenticity of information provided in a documentary is of utmost importance, the filmmaker's responsibility is to present that in an artistic way," he added. 

Noted cinematographer Maksudul Bari was given a lifetime achievement award at the event by the council. Manzare Hasin Murad spoke on the awardee. A leading cinematographer of the country, Bari, has worked in acclaimed films like "Agami," "Aandhiar," "Amader Chhelera" and more. Bari continues to work behind the camera with absolute sincerity and commitment. Always eager to work with the talented upcoming directors, Bari dedicated his award to the young who are involved in filmmaking.

Films are being screened at the festival in three categories -- general screening, competition for filmmakers, and competition for film students. The third category has been introduced this year to inspire young filmmakers who are studying the medium at universities or film institutes. Best films from these two competitions will receive the Bangladesh Documentary Award 2009 at the closing ceremony. Manzare Hasin Murad, Mainul Huda, Khurshid Anam, Mafidul Haque, Maksudul Bari, Nargis Jahan Banu, Shabnam Ferdousi and Shamim Reza are in the jury board overseeing the selection and competition. 

"Frozen Tears," a 16-minute documentary on the Mirpur Jalladkhana genocide by Polash, Tanvir, Laki, Meherun and Faiz; "Urai Moner Ghuri" by Lutfun Nahar Moushumi and "Rupantorer Rupkotha" by Tasmiah Afrin Mou were selected from the three categories to be screened at the inaugural programme. On the second day (yesterday) of the festival, premiere of a documentary on veteran activist Hena Das, titled "Abhjatri," was held. Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the event, while eminent litterateur Professor Hasan Azizul Haque was the special guest. 

Besides screening films, seminars and round tables are also parts of the festival. "Documenting Bangladesh 3" ends on April 19.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Solo performance by Iffat Ara Dewan at Bengal Shilpalay

Cultural Correspondent

Friday, April 17,2009

To mark the Bengali New Year, Bengal Foundation organised a solo musical performance by artiste Iffat Ara Dewan on April 16 at Bengal Shilpalay. At the event, the artiste entertained the audience with Rabindra Sangeet and songs of yesteryears. 

Luva Nahid Chowdhury, director general of Bengal Foundation greeted the artiste with flowers. Dewan started her performance with "Jodi kichhu amarey shudhao" -- received with rounds of applause. A rendition of "Chand tumi eto alo" was next. 

Throughout the evening the artist performed 20 songs, including "Modhur roopey biraj," "Sharadin tomaye bhebey," "Jetha ramdhonu othey heshey," "Bhuley thakar kotha chhilo" and "Ei shundor swarnali shondhyaye." 

Daulatur Rahman, Almas Ali, Benjamin Sarker, Mrityunjay Majumdar and Dipan accompanied the artiste on keyboard, violin, 'tabla' and guitar respectively. 

Iffat Ara Dewan is a renowned Tagore artiste who pursues music as a passion. 'Adhunik' songs, in particular songs of yesteryears, also suit her style. Dewan is also a talented painter and has had eight solo painting exhibitions so far.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Action heroes Stallone, Akshay star in Bollywood comedy flick

Agencies
Posted: Apr 17, 2009

Hollywood's action hero Sylvester Stallone and stunt king Akshay Kumar are teaming in a Bollywood romantic comedy flick, the first for the American star. 

Stallone has played lead role in four ultra-violent Rambo films. He will again play John Rambo, this time in an Indian production.Stallion's project, 'Kambakht Ishq' (Incredible Love) is a romantic comedy that the producers claim is the first Bollywood movie to feature A-list Hollywood actors in proper roles.In his new incarnation Rambo is a successful Hollywood actor, not a misunderstood killing machine. The plot centres on his stuntman double who falls in love with a supermodel. 

The leads are played by Akshay Kumar and Karina Kapoor, two of India's biggest stars. The film also features the former Bond girl Denise Richards and Brendon Routh, who played the latest incarnation of Superman. 

According to ‘The Times’, Indian film-makers, hoping to tap new markets, are collaborating with some of the West's most feted talents. The Hollywood screenwriter Paul Schrader, whose credits include Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, is working with Anubhav Sinha, an Indian producer, for his next project Xtreme City.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Court says Sami can approach for bail if booked for harassment

Agencies
Posted: Apr 17, 2009

A sessions court granted interim relief to singer Adnan Sami by giving him 72 hours to move for anticipatory bail if his estranged wife registers a case against him on the charge of harassment and cruelty to her. 

Additional Sessions judge P H Mali ordered that if Sami's wife Sabah registers a case against him for alleged harassment and cruelty, then Sami would be given 72 hours to approach the court to seek anticipatory bail. The court's order came on the anticipatory bail application filed by the Sami on April 15. The court held that since officially case has not been registered by Sabah, Sami's application is not maintainable. Saba had on April 2 registered a non-cognizable offence against Sami under IPC Section 498 (A) for alleged harassment.

Sami's lawyer Vibhav Krishna had argued that all the allegations levelled by Saba against the singer are false and that he does not live with her since long. 

"Saba has tried to malign Sami's image by spreading false stories about him in the media. Whatever Saba has alleged does not fall under the purview of cruelty or harassment," Krishna argued. 

"Saba has serious neurological and psychological problems and also suffers from depression and emotional stress," Sami's application states.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Pamela Anderson's 'Baywatch' swimsuit up for auction

Agencies
Posted: Apr 17, 2009

Hollywood pin-up Pamela Anderson's red swimsuit, which she wore in her hit series 'Baywatch' is to go under the hammer this month. 

The lycra one-piece swimsuit is signed "Love Pamela Lee, X O" by Anderson and is expected to fetch USD 2, 900 in the auction which kicks off on 30 April in Calabasas, California. The blonde bombshell wore it in the popular series 1990s show where she played lifeguard CJ Parker, ‘Contactmusic’ reported. 

The swimsuit is among other Hollywood memorabilia being auctioned including a pair of holstered pistols worn by Angelina Jolie in 'Tomb Raider' and Harrison Ford's gun from the 1982 sci-fi film 'Blade Runner', which are expected to fetch USD 104,000. 

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire some of the most important visual effects pieces ever created for modern cinema," said auction boss Joe Maddalena.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Heidi Klum pregnant with fourth child

By Jill Serjeant

Fri Apr 17, 2009

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Supermodel and TV presenter Heidi Klum is pregnant with her fourth child, her singer husband Seal has said.

Seal confirmed the rumors from the stage of a concert on Thursday in New York's Radio City Hall, telling the audience; "Heidi and I are having another baby. I mean, Heidi is doing all the work", Us Weekly reported.Klum, 35, a Victoria's Secret lingerie model who hosts the U.S. fashion reality TV show "Project Runway", was in the audience with her three children.

British singer Seal and Klum married in 2005 and have two young boys together. Klum's first child, Leni, is from a previous relationship.

Source: http://www.reuters.com

Case filed for obscenity against Akshay, wife

Agencies
Posted: Apr 17, 2009

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and wife Twinkle Khanna may land in further trouble for their alleged obscene act on the ramp following the filing of yet another case against them in a local court here. 

Advocate Pavitra Mohan Verma filed the case in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Shikha Pathak against the star couple's performance during the promotional catwalk for a particular brand of jeans at a show. The court after recording the statements of the complainant and a witness yesterday, scheduled April 20 for further hearing of the case. 

Verma in his complaint said that he was ashamed watching a TV show on April 2 where Akshay Khanna while cat-walking on the ramp, had got his jeans unbuttoned by his wife. A similar case was filed on April 7 in a Meerut court also.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Slumdog bosses donate £500k to educate poor kids in India

ANI
Posted: Apr 17, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire bosses have donated 500,000 pounds to kick off a programme aimed at educating poor kids in India. The filmmakers have teamed up with Plan, an international kids' development organisation, to create the five-year programme targeted towards providing healthcare and education. 

"Having benefited so much from the hospitality of the people of Mumbai, it is only right that some of the success of the movie be ploughed back into the city in areas where it is needed most and where it can make a real difference to some lives," the ‘Daily Express’ quoted director Danny Boyle as saying. 

“Slumdog Millionaire has shown audiences around the world a snapshot of what life is like for one in six people on the planet,” added Plan U.K.'s chief executive, Marie Staunton. 

"Education really is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty so we will focus the funds on getting children into school, keeping them there and ensuring they are healthy," she added. 

The Oscar winning director had previously he set up the Jai Ho Trust to ensure that the film’s two young stars Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, who played Latika and Salim in the early scenes of the film, get proper education.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

'Hannah Montana' holds six spots on the Billboard Hot 100

By Aly Semigran

Apr 17, 2009

As if we needed another sign that Miley Cyrus is taking over the world, the 'tween pop phenom is now dominating the Billboard Hot 100. Six songs off the soundtrack for Hannah Montana: The Movie -- which just so happened to rule the box office this past weekend -- span this week's singles chart from No. 8 to No. 88, including Miley's "The Climb," BFF Taylor Swift's track "Crazier," and Miley's duet with dear old dad Billy Ray, "Butterfly Fly Away." While the Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" held on to the top spot, the Hannah Montana tunes are climbing at a steady rate. Miley's "Hoedown Throwdown" has seen big success in the past few days, with a 119 percent rise in downloads. And with a song title like that, who could be surprised? 

How about you, Music Mixers? Have you purchased songs off the Hannah Montana soundtrack? Or are you simply too busy bracing for the Miley-induced apocalypse?

Source: http://music-mix.ew.com