BANGLADESH BANS 'JESUS 71'
Naeem Mohaiemen
BANGLADESH BANS 'JESUS 71'
--------------------------
"Ekatthur er Jishu" (Jesus 71), a Bangladeshi film on the 1971 liberation war,
was banned by the Bangladesh Censor Board this month.
If anyone can help with bringing this film for exhibition for south asian
communities in the US, please e-mail me (especially financial assistance
will be necessary). I am not sure what status of overseas exhibitions
are with this ban, but will find out soon.
I will be in US until August at:
231 West Lorain, Oberlin, OH 44074 216 774-1993
Following are some news report excerpts on ban
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[From Dhaka Courier, May 7, 1993]
JESUS IN WONDERLAND: CENSOR BOARD CRUCIFIES 'EKATTURER JISHU'
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Bangladesh Film Censorship Board has refused to allow release of
"Ekatthur er Jishu" (Jesus 71), a movie based on Bangladesh's war of
liberation. In a letter, the Board claimed that the film "distorted
historical facts, particularly maligning Bangladesh and its ideals and
heroes."
Ruhul Amin Gazi, gen secretary of one faction of DUJ, told 'Dhaka Courier'
"Everyone objected to the fact that the characters in the movie were Hindu
and Christian and they were the targets of the Pakistan Army. But in reality
what percentage do they constitute of the population? The majority of the
population is Muslim. They are absent."
The 100 minute film is based on novel by Shahriar Kabir. In full color, the
film cost Taka 15 lakh.
The film is directed by Nasiruddin Yusuf.
The film's stars include:
Humayun Faridi
Pijush Bandapadhyay
Zahiruddin Piyar
Florence Sharmili Gomes
Director Nasiruddin Yusus has called the censor board's comments, "motivated,
fabricated, insulting and, at the same time, laughable."
He also said, "I have had the honor of participating in the Liberation War
and the people of the country are well aware of my role in the cultural arena,
upholding the spirit of the liberation war.... I believe only influence by
Razakars and Al Badrs could make it possible for the censor board to discard
the film in such language."
"I have no words to express the anger and sorrow that the fruits of our two
years' labour cannot be shared with the people."
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The following is excerpt from review of the film that appeared in April 2,
1993 issue of Dhaka Courier:
THE RESURRECTION
----------------
"God never gets sick, never gets disabled. He never received bullets between
his knees. And I only serve humanity." Thus states Desmond, and orphan
brought up in a village church by a Father in rural Bangladesh. When the
liberation war begins in 1971, the Father and Sisters flee the area, but
Desmond stays on. He equates the torture of the men, women and children
with an episode of the Bible.
'Jesus 71' is an insight into the paradox of viewing life humanely and
interpreting it according to the Bible. While the Father and Sisters
leave the village, unwilling to mix religion and politics, Desmond
gives refuge to villagers fleeing the atrocities of the Pakistani
army.
The chain of events is set off when the dead body of local fisherman is
found floating down the river. He has been killed by the Pakistan army when he
went to the market to sell fish. Life in the village comes to a standstill.
Desmond commits himself to the cause of humanity and unconsciously gets
involved in politics. When the freedom fighters finally come to the village,
he lets them use the church as their hideout.
An affinity can be found between the intense suffering of Jesus and that of
Desmond. The anguish reaches a height when the Pakistan army kills a mute girl
who is left behind with Desmond in the church. It is the humiliation of
mankind that rends Desmond's heart.
The intensity of pain is further heightened when three freedom fighters are
crucified in front of the church. When Desmond reaches the nadir of despair,
the crucified freedom fighters seem to reappear on the church steps alluding
to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is as if the return of Christ has come
about in a small and obscure village of Bangladesh through the three freedom
fighters in 1971.
Yet Desmond too is Christ-like in his forbearance, in his love for humanity
and his suffering.
The film is a subjective impression of Bangladesh's War of Liberation.
It is produced by Anupam Chitrayan Trust.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
--Naeem Mohaiemen
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Bhaskar Ghosh
In article <NAEEM.93M...@occs.cs.oberlin.edu> na...@occs.cs.oberlin.edu (Naeem Mohaiemen) writes:
Newsgroups: soc.culture.bangladesh,soc.culture.pakistan,soc.culture.indian,soc.rights.human,alt.feminism
From: na...@occs.cs.oberlin.edu (Naeem Mohaiemen)
Organization: Oberlin College Computer Science
Date: Wed, 19 May 1993 23:08:23 GMT
BANGLADESH BANS 'JESUS 71'
--------------------------
"Ekatthur er Jishu" (Jesus 71), a Bangladeshi film on the 1971 liberation war,
was banned by the Bangladesh Censor Board this month.
Ruhul Amin Gazi, gen secretary of one faction of DUJ, told 'Dhaka Courier'
"Everyone objected to the fact that the characters in the movie were Hindu
and Christian and they were the targets of the Pakistan Army. But in reality
what percentage do they constitute of the population? The majority of the
population is Muslim. They are absent."
Dear Naeem.
I didn't understand what precisely Ruhul Amin Gazi meant. (BTW, what
is DUJ ?) Is he an official spokesperson of the Film Censor board in
Bangladesh ? Do you have any more details on the exact reasons why
this film would be banned in Bangladesh ?
I thought it was common knowledge that during the initial days of the
'71 war Hindu communities and neighbourhoods in East Pakistan were
singled out by the West Pakistani Army and its collaborators for the
initial massacres and destruction. Is that not a known fact in present
day Bangladesh ? That would be as ridiculous as saying that since the
Muslim minority forms only 12% of the Indian population, the fact that
thousands of Muslims were killed in riots in West Bengal in 1947 is
less significant than the deaths among the Hindus.
I am completely confused about the official position here.
But then again, rewriting history to suit political and religious
purposes is common practice all through our subcontinent. The fact that
people might start believing the re-written history is scary though.
- bhaskar.
PS. BTW, i would like to arrange to have this movie be screened here
at Yale. Let's see what we can do about it.
--
===============================================================================
Bhaskar Ghosh "Tomar pujar chholey,
gh...@cs.yale.edu @yalecs.bitnet Tomay bhulei thaki"- Robithakur
===============================================================================
Naeem Mohaiemen
> Dear Naeem.
> I didn't understand what precisely Ruhul Amin Gazi meant. (BTW, what
> is DUJ ?) Is he an official spokesperson of the Film Censor board in
> Bangladesh ? Do you have any more details on the exact reasons why
> this film would be banned in Bangladesh ?
----
I transcribed excerpts from the article. The exact reason is not clear.
But the following emerges:
1) Board's official letter says, the film distorts history of 1971 war.
2) Director called this ridiculous and pointed out fact that he had
participated in liberation war as had many of the artistes involved.
Distortion on their part was, as he says, unlikely.
3) Director Nasiruddin Yusuf thinks that pressure from rehabilitated
razakars (collabaorators during 71 war) forced closure of film.
Unpleasant truths regarding razakars? Unpleasant in that razakar
cadre has no desire for rejuvenation of 1971 history?
4) The film's centerpiece was a Christian. Some of the principal
characters were Hindu. Perhaps the Board prefers only that Muslims
be shown.
5) Ruhul Amin Gazi is the only member of Board who opened his mouth so
far with ridiculous "hindu Christian" comment. Still in the dark ages..
> I thought it was common knowledge that during the initial days of the
> '71 war Hindu communities and neighbourhoods in East Pakistan were
> singled out by the West Pakistani Army and its collaborators for the
> initial massacres and destruction. Is that not a known fact in present
> day Bangladesh ?
Yes, it is a known fact.
>That would be as ridiculous as saying that since the
> Muslim minority forms only 12% of the Indian population, the fact that
> thousands of Muslims were killed in riots in West Bengal in 1947 is
> less significant than the deaths among the Hindus.
Agreed.
> But then again, rewriting history to suit political and religious
> purposes is common practice all through our subcontinent. The fact that
> people might start believing the re-written history is scary though.
People like Yusuf, who have direct memory of 1971, are rapidly approaching
middle age. The next generation of Bangladeshis are in danger of losing
any sense of 1971 through such officially sanctioned distortion and
censorship.
--
--Naeem Mohaiemen
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Saif Ahmed
> is DUJ ?) Is he an official spokesperson of the Film Censor board in
> Bangladesh ? Do you have any more details on the exact reasons why
> this film would be banned in Bangladesh ?
Regardless of whether it was representative of a common theme or not a
movie on a specific incident or person should not have been banned
unless there was something particularly objectionable in it. Of course
the Bangladesh Film Censor Board isn't exactly known for it's
objectivity.
Saif
--
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| | Saifuddin Ahmed : |
| | sah...@occs.cs.oberlin.edu |
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