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For AKM Quayyum, nature is the source of romance. For him nature remains ‘strange and genuinely mysterious.’ In his recent exhibition titled Romance with Nature at the Saju Art Gallery, anyone can visualise the magic, in which there is a strong element of natural inevitability in his ideas stressing the importance of ‘nature’ in his paintings.
   In Quayyum’s own words, ‘Nature has always been recorded by artists, from pre-historic cave paintings to 20th century landscapes. I too wanted to make nature the subject of my work. I started working using natural subjects like flowers, trees, leaves, moon, sky, clouds and other elements of nature, and these evolved into the idea of making a painting in my own style. And I strongly believe that nature is the mentor of every artist.’
   For him, a sense of place was shaped by the visible but normally ‘unseen’ in the land around him, and at the same time something more palpable: ‘the blooming flowers, water hyacinths, birds, moonstruck human beings ... these scenes made me a painter and I am grateful to nature.’
   ‘You can feel the tranquillity of nature in these paintings. Pale blue, green and violet dominate most of the paintings, although sometimes bright colours like orange, yellow and red are also visible,’ asserts Quayyum.
   Among the 52 paintings, most of them are drawn in oil, although a few works are in acrylic and watercolours too.
   Although this exhibition is dedicated to nature, the artist has not confined himself to only this subject. ‘I’ve done some works that show the tension and pressure of the current time by using realistic elements, the compositions may have some abstract essences though.’
   ‘Through my long painting career I don’t know whether I really established my own unique style or not, but one thing is pretty sure: I am still not satisfied and am searching for my real soul,’ says Quayyum.

Bishwaser Rang (Colour of Faith), directed by Saiful Wadud Helal,  will be presented in the Documentaries of the World section of the 29th Montreal World Film Festival to be held from August 26 to September 5, 2005.
   This documentary is going to raise the question of fundamentalism versus secular culture in countries like Bangladesh.
   Bishwaser Rang is set in a remote village in Bangladesh, known as Badarpur. Each year, at the end of spring, thousands of people gather here to sing and dance in remembrance of their beloved holy man Langta.
   The film depicts how religion and culture come together to give these people a unique kind of identity.  In the post 9/11 world, where we are surrounded by words such as terrorism, fundamentalism, and fanaticism, this film questions any essential conception of religious identity, and calls for a deeper look at the colours that faith might assume.
   Saiful began his career as a journalist. After receiving a diploma in Television production from Inter-Dec College, Montreal, he began working in the television industry as a programme director and editor.
   Between 1999 and 2005, he wrote, produced short films and shows for ethnic TV channels, commercials and music videos. He has directed two short films, The Poet and Bonjour Montreal in 2000.

The British Council is presenting a selection of British Animation Awards nominees and award winners in the categories of short films, TV graphics, new technologies, sound and music; many of which have won numerous international festival prizes. This will be a unique overview of recent British animation, featuring a range of different techniques and a diversity of styles. The British Animation Awards (BAA) compilation is a collection of popular British animation from 1995 to 2003; they will be screened from August 22 to August 26 at 6:00pm daily.
   For many years now, British animation has enjoyed a very high reputation in the international scene for its astonishing range and diversity, both in subject matter and technique.
   The BAA was launched in its current format in 1996, to highlight this very diversity via a bi-annual event that presents awards are in 19 categories.
   The 'Best of BAA, 1994-2004' series of five DVDs were produced, in collaboration with the British Council, in response to the many requests - received from animation fans, advertising agencies looking to spot up and coming talent, and teachers - because very little of this work is generally available.
   Complimentary cards are available from 1 6 August 2005 at: British Council Reception, 5 Fuller Road, British Council Teaching Centre, 754 B Satmosjid Road Dhanmondi, Sagor Publishers, Baily Road and Hallmark, Banani.
   
   The finalists of the British Animation Film Awards 2002 are:
   Best Animated Special
   Little Wolf's Book of Badness
   Angelina Ballerina: The Show Must Go On
   Wilde Stories: The Nightingale and the Rose
   Best Film/TV Graphics
   Catch Me if You Can: Main Title Sequence
   Miranda: Main Title Sequence
   Blobs
   Best Student Film
   1+1
   Fish Never Sleep
   Gifted
   Best Short Film
   Dad's Dead
   How to Cope with Death
   JoJo in the Stars
   Best Music
   The Girl and the Horse
   Extn. 21
   How to Cope with Death
   Most Creative Use of Sound
   Little Things
   Taps
   The Presentators: Sound Effects

G Series has released Flat 59 Love Lane on VCD. The drama is scripted and directed by Sohel Arman. Different roles are played by Shomi Kaiser, Toukir Ahmed, Rozi Siddiqui, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Salahuddin Lovlu, Runa Khan and others.
   The VCD is available in the market.

Eminem is undergoing treatment for dependency to sleep medication, his pub- licist said Thursday, two
   days after the Grammy- winning rapper cancelled his European tour citing exhaustion.
   In a brief statement, Dennis Dennehy said Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, ‘is in the hospital under doctors’ care.’
   Eminem wrapped up his nationwide ‘Anger Manag- ement’ tour last week, then on Tuesday canceled 10 European concerts that were to kick off Sept. 1 in Hamburg, Germany.
   Interscope Records released a statement at the time saying Eminem was being treated for exhaustion, complicated by other medical issues.
   Last month, the 32-year-old denied a report that he was planning to retire.
   But he did say he might be taking a breather after releasing four multi-platinum albums, including his latest, ‘Encore.’
   — AP

Actress Angelina Jolie will reportedly play an evil queen in the epic Beowulf to be directed by Robert Zemeckis and distributed by Paramount and Warner Bros.
   Jolie joins actors Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Brendan Gleeson and Robin Wright Penn, Daily Variety said, and the screenplay is by Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman.
   Beowulf is one of the oldest epics in early English and one of the most important works in medieval English.
   Jolie is currently working alongside Matt Damon on a film directed by Robert De Niro, The Good Shepherd.
   Beowulf has been adapted in six previous films.
   The epic poem tells of the tragedy of a man condemned to eternally err because he was born of a prohibited love between a mortal and a devil.
   His only possible salvation lies in a constant struggle against evil within him and in Grendel, a terrible and apparently invincible creature.
   — AFP

When vampire Lestat (Stuart Townsend) awakens from a long slumber as a rock star, he won’t be the only vampire to walk to earth. His music awakens Akasha (Aaliyah, Romeo Must Die), the queen of vampires, who is now hell-bent on making Lestat her king. But a woman with a gift for the occult falls in love with Lestat, and is ready to hold her own against the blood-sucking creatures of the night.
   Queen of the Damned
   HBO
   9:30pm
   Starring
   Stuart Townsend, Aaliyah
   Genre
   Action/Adventure