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The 9th International Short & Independent Film Festival, organised by the Bangladesh Short Film Forum, kicked off in the evening on December 22 at the premises of the Central Public Library.
   Former Chief Adviser of the Care Taker Government, Justice Mohammad Habibur Rahman inaugurated the festival while litterateur Hasnat Abdul Hye, the chairman of the festival, Aminul Islam, director of the festival and Zahidur Rahim, president of the Bangladesh Short Film Forum were present among others.
   Besides, Shawkat Osman Auditorium of the Central Public Library, the films will also be screened at the auditoriums of the Bangladesh National Museum, the auditorium of the Forum in Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh and German Cultural Centre in Dhanmondi.
   The president of the Bangladesh Short Film Forum, Zahidur Rahman said that though the country is facing bomb attacks, the forum will continue with its activities. ‘The forum will work to uphold the rich culture of the country as well as create opportunity for the viewers to enjoy the quality films,’ he added.
   Justice Mohammad Habibur Rahman said that Bangladesh has a history of making quality films. Naming the noted filmmakers of Bangla films, Rahman hoped that the filmmakers of this generation would also bring laurels for the country through making good films.
   He said, ‘The Short Film Forum will continue its activities and will also work for the development of the country’s film industry. As the making of short films do not need big budget, the filmmakers can invest their talent in this field.’
   ‘Short film making cannot be considered merely a movement; it has got maturity and it is now seen as a continuous activity. The forum members have earned critical acclaim and awards abroad. They will pave the way for the next generation,’ he added.
   Hasnat Abdul Hye, in his vote of thanks, said that amid many limitations including limited resources the Short Film Forum has been arranging this sort of festival since 1986.
   Thanking all the people who are behind the festival he said, ‘The enthusiastic members of the Forum have made the festival successful. The filmmakers from every corner of the world have also helped the forum by sending their films to make the festival worth the effort.’
   Films will be screened at 11:00am, 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Twenty seven countries will participate in the festival, including Bangladesh with an entry of 34 films. A total of 165 films will be screened.
   The participating countries include Germany, the Netherlands, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Hungary, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Sweden, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Italy, Malaysia, Indonesia, Norway, Poland, Lithonia, Austria, Mexico and Bangladesh.

The Tarantula, like any other, was not an ordinary art exhibition. Designated after the 15th century saga of a tarantula spider, the concept of the exhibition was coherent-‘remove the impurities of the society bitten by the evil of drug addiction, fundamentalism and self deceit through art and culture’. Hosted by the Hyacinth Garden Gallery at the Zainul Art Gallery, the exhibition posed art in various forms like photography, digital imaging and oil canvas.
   As one closely contemplates the theme, it is apparent that we are engulfed by a culture of avarice, abhorrence and guile and art can be used as a form of medication. As the legend goes, during the 15th century in Taranto, a little town in southern Italy, people were struck by an epidemic caused by the bite of a tarantula spider. The cure for the disease was simple; rhythmic dancing to the beats of local instruments. Reflecting on this idea Laila Sharmeen, coordinator of the exhibition, states, ‘in the same way we are bitten by the spider of evil and only a correct rhythm can heal us. That rhythm can be found in fine art.’
   The gallery was indeed a decor of splendid art. The wonderful array of colours caught behind those wooden frames conveyed a specific message. Amid the gallery, one picture was bound to catch the public eye: a small Indian boy holding a text copy in the incorrect way not realizing that, he startlingly stares into the artist’s camera and poses for a shot. Like many others, he comes from a poverty stricken family in India. He is affected with HIV.
   Oblivious of his disease, he dreams about his future. Although the photo does express sympathy but the main objective was to create awareness among the general public about AIDS. The artist Donnaa M. Guenther, a physician by profession, stated, ‘it is my intention to put faces on AIDS, to record and share images of the impact of AIDS/HIV on women, children and families in order to create awareness and raise funds for treatments.’
   Another picture displays an artist’s emotion, not with colour, but with colourful buttons. A businessman in the widely popular garment sector, Md. Golam Rabbani wanted to have his say in terms of the pictorial way. The picture titled ‘Joker’ was definitely no joke of the exhibition.
   The interesting fact about this exhibition was that, people from all walks of life had an opportunity to unleash and display their creativity. Regardless of the profession they pursue, they all have an artistic side towards life. A different path of expression, like many say, some statements are made not by words, not by action but by art.

In the tradition of all great monster movies, this one too combines sci-fi and humor.
   Valentine McKee (Bacon, Loverboy, Cavedweller) and Earl Bassett (Ward, Funky Monkey, Coast To Coast) realize that their desolate town is experiencing unusual seismic activity. The duo discover that the town is located over a nest of enormous creatures nicknamed "graboids" - giant critters with growling stomachs and teething tentacles moving beneath the desert at dazzling speed. Now, the desperate pair begin a race for their lives to overcome these deadly freaks of nature. Great sound effects and action laced with dollops of fun.
   Tremors
   HBO
   9:30pm
   Starring
   Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward