What Role Should the Government Play?
Bangla cinema was the premier entertainment, popular over its more glamorous competition in West Bengal. We were thankful to the Lord and those stars like Salman Shah, Shabana, Razzak, Bobita and others became idols and continued to influence on people’s hearts and minds in a golden chapter of the era of cinema.
But in an age of digitalisation that is developing fast, Bangladesh’s film industry is being confronted by an array of challenges that may soon shake its traditional moorings. The emergence of modern technology and media platforms has changed the entertainment environment, and this change has been reflected in a change in films production, distribution, and consumption.
And in the process, it begs the all-important question: What is the future of the Bangladesh film industry? And what is the government doing to help create that future, and deal with the problems people like filmmakers, and artists, are facing right now? These are important questions as we begin to navigate this new reality and get the film industry back on track.
Current Situation
At the moment there are many crises in the Bangladesh film industry. No good scripts, budgetary concerns, slow progress of the metamorphosis of single screen theatres into multiplexes, piracy, shortage of talent none of these seem to have changed much. But in recent years, a new generation helmed by indie filmmakers and young directors has brought a glimmer of hope.
Where Does the Government Stand?
The development of an industry can be influenced directly by the government by its policies, funding, infrastructure development, and international representation. The question is: What is the government doing now, and what should it be doing?
Financial Support and Grants
The government gives grants to companies producing films, but there have always been complaints about how these grants are allocated and managed. If that process was more open, competitive, and based on merit then actual film makers may be created.
Investment in Film Education
An industry cannot be strong without the professional corps that grows up behind it. The government could also open more national-level film institutes and try to upgrade the film quality of the existing ones.
Reforming the Censorship Board
In order not to constraint creativity by political or social factors, a contemporary censorship should be open-minded, fearless, and transparent.
Market Expansion and Internationalization
It is thus necessary for the government to encourage the Bangladeshi film in the global market. Contributing to international film festivals, supporting subtitling, and fostering co-productions in films of this type could also spur the sector.
Multiplexes and Cinema Halls coming up.
The construction of new state-of-the-art cinemas and renovation of old ones through public-private partnership will encourage the movie-loving public to visit the theatres, the memorandum added.
Future Direction
The youth of Bangladesh are still enamoured to the movies. The growth of OTT platforms, appearance at several International Film Festivals and new narratives from the pockets of Independent Filmmakers indicates the otherwise in our trade.
But for this potential to materialize, the Government needs to have the vision and to stop looking at cinema just as a way to have fun but as the culture and the economic strength that it is.
Conclusion
Cinema is not only a form of entertainment it is a reflection of a nation’s soul, a part of its history, and a powerful tool for social change. If the government takes measure and proper policy in time, film industry can bring back the golden days in Bangladesh just like the Punjabi film industry achieved after two years.