Mejbaur Rahman Sumon
TV Play & Film Director
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In 2006, a dreamy-eyed Mejbaur Rahman Sumon began a wonderful journey by directing the serial “Coffee House”. The massive appreciation from viewers for “Coffee House” paved the way for his future endeavours. He went on to direct plays like “Shohortolir Alo”, “Tarpor Paruler Din”, “Tarporo Angurlota Nondo Ke Bhalobashe”, “Jochhna Nodi Othoba Rashid-er Kichhu Kolpo Drishsho”, “Pherar Poth Nei, Thake Na Kono Kaale”, “Prem O Porabastobota”, “Simtar Shada Jama” that fetched him recognition as a talented director.
“Tarporo Angurlota Nondo Ke Bhalobashe” was one of the most talked about works by Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, as it created a stir among the viewers. The director is known for his preference for powerful stories. His work stands out for very good reasons.
Sumon says that for him stories are like watching the sky through a window. No matter how small the sky seems through the window, its true endlessness is never lost in his eyes. Viewers in Bangladesh enjoy listening to stories and it is this reason why they watch the plays with eagerness, the director adds.
Sumon studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. Although his initial intention was to be a renowned painter, he eventually leaned towards the world of plays. Sumon's father was a photography enthusiast and the director inherited his father's aesthetic senses. He was also inspired by Nurul Alam Atik's works such as “Cycle-er Dana” and “Choturtho Matra”.
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“Tarporo Angurlota Nondo Ke Bhalobashe” was one of the most talked about works by Mejbaur Rahman Sumon. |
“Dokhiner Janalata Khola -- Alo Ashe Alo Phire Jae” was another brilliant work by Sumon, which earned him the Prothom Alo Critics' Choice award.
The director likes to work with a combination of patience and passion, making his works unique. His love for direction and curiosity in implementing different techniques also raise his standards.
Sumon, who constantly searches for fresh stories, was walking through crowds on the streets one day. With an empty pocket and the stress of leaving a job, he kept walking from Mogbazar to Bangla Motor and on to Shahbagh. It was during this walk when the story of “Coffee House” came to him.
Sumon's latest dreams involve the silver screen. He plans to begin work on his first film this year, the story for which was written by him. There is no new plan for TV, but Sumon adds that there are plenty of possibilities to do good work.
By Shah Alam Shazu
Fauzia Khan
Documentary-maker
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Fauzia Khan is a well-known documentary maker and film activist. She has worked on subjects ranging from the Liberation War to contemporary social issues like women's rights. Reducing discrimination and gender violence, and basic needs of the public are her areas of interest.
As an organiser she has been trying to create a platform for budding filmmakers. She was the president of Bangladesh Documentary Council, from 2007 to 2009. At present she is an executive member of the organisation.
Fauzia completed a Diploma in Cinema (specialisation in editing) from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune in 1997. She completed her Masters in Bangla from Dhaka University.
Fazia made several awareness generating documentaries for TV channels and different non-Government projects.
Her memorable works include “Kothae Pabo Tare”, a documentary on the Liberation War that aired on ATN Bangla. She also made several others on the subject, such as “Shey Kotha Bole Jai” (Telling Tales) and “Kande Amar Ma”.
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Fauzia Khan highlights women's rights in her films. |
Her documentary, “I Had Something to Say”, on adolescent female reproductive health, produced by Steps Towards Development, Bangladesh has been shown at several international documentary festivals. Her other work “Way to Go” focuses on women's participation in local government.
Fauzia made “Aloye Bhuban Bhora”, a documentary on artist Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, produced by Bengal Foundation and “The Other Canvas”, a documentary on six women painters of Bangladesh.
She was an associate editor of Tareque and Catherine Masud's “Muktir Kotha”.
At present, she is working mainly as an independent filmmaker, editor and writer. She is the coordinator, Resource Centre of Dhaka Art Centre.
She attended the Emerging International Filmmakers Fellowship offered by The Documentary Centre, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA in 2010.
Her tele-film “Nijkolmohonay Clara Linden”, based on a short story by Shahaduzzaman, will be aired soon.
Bangladesh Mohila Parishad has honoured her with a special award for her contribution in documentary making.
By Jamil Mahmud