Dhaka 2008

"Sankara" by Prasanne Jayakody

Undoubtedly, the Dhaka International Film Festival — organized by the Rainbow Film Society and headed by our FIPRESCI colleague Ahmed Mustaba Zamal — has proven in the past its commitment and dedication, against all odds, to open a wide window with its rich film programs to the world in a country, where it is almost impossible to see foreign films (except Indian productions) in a movie theater. Due to a number of more or less obscure financial and organizational problems, the 10th edition of the Dhaka International Film Festival — "the flagship event of the Rainbow Film Society" — was however hard-pressed to survive through to its closing ceremonies. Unfortunately, the lack of communication and transparency didn't help to make the situation any easier. Of the 88 films, presented in a mysterious catalog that popped up just before the closing ceremony, just 31 (including nine of the eleven announced competition films) made it to the screen. However, the enthusiasm of the huge, young crowd of spectators and volunteers compensated to a large extent for the difficulties encountered. (Barbara Lorey)

10th Dhaka International Film Festival (Bangladesh, January 10-18, 2008), www.dhakafilmfest.org
FIPRESCI Prize: Sankara by Prasanna Jayakody (Sri Lanka, 2006). Details

Reports:

A Festival by the Seat of its Pants. "Attending a film festival that is taking place in one of the poorest countries of the world, ruled by an interim government under a state of emergency (...) is definitely a special experience for which one should normally be mentally prepared before arrival. However, this time, the surprises came from an unexpected corner", writes Barbara Lorey in her overview of the festival.
Dhaka Expands Its Horizons. Mohamed Mijarul Quayes evaluates the festival's first "Talent Campus", a six-day workshop for aspiring young filmmakers, film critics and journalists. This parallel event aimed to utilize the ambience, resource and assembly of cinema professionals as well as creative talents old and new.
A Screen Meditation. Salome Kikaleishvili reviews Prasanna Jayakody's Sankara. "His first movie is infused with Buddhist philosophy, where the inner world of the main hero, a Buddhist monk, is shown through changes of mystic landscapes, attention to nature and expressing love for its beauty."

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