Scenes from Joyjatra.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has taken an initiative to screen timeless Bangla feature films upholding the spirit of the glorious war of independence through mobile screening at open spaces of some uncommon venues in the capital city. The films created a buzz among the root level people.
The project began with screening of two films on the inauguration day on July 02: Zahir Raihan’s Jiban Theke Neya was screened at Bahadur Shah Park in Sadarghat and Stop Genocide was screened in Loharpool, Sutrapur.
Eleven movies are being screened at 17 points including Mohammdpur Bus Stand, Mirpur Senpara, Gopibag Bazar, Aga Sadek Lane’s Haridas Colony, Bou Bazaar of Tejgaon and others. In each spot, two movies are screened in two consecutive days. 
The locations of the films screening have been designed in such way that the root level people get the opportunity to watch the films. The aim of the programme is to create consciousness about the War of Independence among the common people, said one of the organisers.
The project is a successful one in attracting a good number of people at the venues.
However, technical and other difficulties like load shedding and defective DVDs often created obstacle to the show.
Sheikh Russel, a small businessman, watched Chhana O Muktijuddho at Mohammadpur on Wednesday. Russel observed that it was a good endeavor though the session would have been more enjoyable if the sound was clearer.
Ahmed Rubel, a student, who came to watch Raktakto Bangla at Iraqi Playground in Azimpur, told, ‘I am glad to watch the films on the war. But more recent films should also been included.’
About the drawbacks, Sanatan Ullas, the coordinator of the programme, told New Age, ‘We are not self sufficient in terms of electricity supply. We had to manage electricity supply from the adjacent houses or shopping malls; therefore, films screening are often being stopped due to electricity failure. Moreover, sometimes the DVDs provided by the academy are scratched’     
Moreover, the scheduled location of Mohammadpur Bus stand had been transferred to elsewhere on Wednesday. ‘The choice was not appropriate as the bus stand was overly crowded. So that we screened the films in an alternative location which is beside the Mohammadpur Dam,’ added Ullas.
The programme is a part of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s yearlong project titled ‘Swadhinatar Challish Bacchar O Shilper Mohan Aloy Muktijuddho.’
Chaka, Alor Michhil, Megher Anek Rang, Arunodoyer Agni Shakkhi, Chhana O Muktijuddho, Shyamal Chhaya, Joyjatra, Raktakto Bangla, Aguner Parashmoni, Jiban Theke Neya and Stop Genocide are the films which had been selected for the screenings.