DT e-Paper Saturday 09 September 2017

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22 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 DT Showtime Provocative, not empowering A review of Lipstick under my Burkha • Farhat Alam Brishty If you want to see a film making a statement about the society’s repression of women, you will not be disappointed by Alankrita Shrivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha. But if you want to watch a film that sensibly portrays women’s real struggles in the society, if you want to see a powerful womens’ uprising or at least their rational efforts to overcome the struggles, if you look forward to something that will motivate the women and move the audience regardless of their genders, then, sadly, you will be fairly disappointed by the film. I definitely do not intend to belittle the makers’ efforts to raise voice against the traditionally male dominated society, especially because of the fearless attempt at portraying unorthodox women characters and the brilliant execution by the actors. However, not all women dream of casual sex as most of the characters in the film suggest. Of the many forms of repression women have to suffer from, sexual repression is definitely one; but the film focuses on sex rather excessively which makes the film lose its authenticity. Buaji, played by Ratna Pathak, is a 56 year old widow, someone the people of her society look up to. She is so involved in playing the role the society has assigned to her, that when someone asks, she struggles to remember her real name for a second. But she is also the same person who reads erotic novels, hiding them behind religious books, seeks sexual pleasure from a younger man and has clandestine phone flirtations with him. A tricky character as this is played by Pathak so smoothly and realistically, that it would force you to reconsider your pre-set notions of elderly women around you. Deciding to play a “risky” character like this in itself is brave, and Ratna Pathak went on to make this role one of the best performances of her career. Likewise, other protagonists of the film like Leela, Rehana, and Shireen are victims of societal repression too. Except for Shireen, the rest of the characters find their comfort in casual sex, smoking, drinking, cheating, and stealing – all in secret. This could be Alankrita Shrivastava’s way of expressing the reality that women have to do what they want to do by unfair manipulation in a society that constantly suppresses them. That being said, this statement cannot be appreciated simply because of the means of expressing it – violation of basic human ethics. I wish the makers would answer a simple question: how does smoking cigarettes actually make any man or woman liberated? Another important point to note is, the film shows almost no member of the male species to be supportive of women, to be kind, just or loyal. The most important factor, though, is that none of the women protagonists actually take a fair, brave attempt to change their fate. The film shows the negative consequences of the womens’ supposed rebellious acts – which only demotivate the female audience. The film could have intended not to preach any message but show what goes on with the women behind the curtains or “under the burkha” – but this very fact makes the film confusing in itself, though the film is undoubtedly a courageous piece of work. Lastly, the brilliant performances by Konkona Sen Sharma, Aahana Kumra, Plabita Borthakur and most importantly, Ratna Pathak make the film worth a try. • Jake Gyllenhaal to receive Golden Icon Award at Zurich • Showtime Desk American actor Jake Gyllenhaal will receive the Golden Icon Award for lifetime achievement at the Zurich International Film Festival this year. The Academy Awards nominated actor will attend the Zurich festival with his latest film Stronger, in which he is playing the role of Boston marathon bombing survivor, Jeff Bauman. Directed by David Gordon Green, Stronger will have its world premiere in Toronto, on September 8, and will screen on October 3, in Zurich. The 13th Zurich Film Festival will run from September 28 to October 8. After his breakout performance as “Donnie Darko” in 2001, Gyllenhaal has been counted as one of the greatest actors in his generation. His embrace of complicated and troubled characters —a closet gay man struggling with love and identity in Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain, a psychotic ambulance chasing video journalist in Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler — has been rewarded with both critical and commercial acclaims. Gyllenhaal recently wrapped up shooting for Wildlife, Paul Dano’s directorial debut, in which he stars alongside Carey Mulligan. His upcoming productions include The Sister Brothers, and the Englishlanguage debut of French director Jacques Audiard, titled Rust and Bone.•
Showtime 23 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 DT Ilias Kanchan enraged over WHAT TO WATCH rumours • Showtime Desk Rumours have been making rounds that famous film actor Ilias Kanchan is expecting a nomination from a political party to run in the next national elections. The news even made it to the headlines of some local media outlets. But it appears that a rumour is all that it is, and now Ilias Kanachan is furious about it. The actor, who is also the founder of Nirapad Sharak Chai Andolon, has sent a statement to the press on Thursday in this regard. “There’s no base for the news saying that I am expecting a nomination from BNP. This is just false, imaginary and baseless. I think, publication of this news is a heinous crime intended against me,” the statement reads. Kanchan also stated that there’s no possibility of him taking part in the upcoming elections and he is considering legal actions to remove all confusions regarding the matter. “I’ve no relationship whatsoever with BNP. They’ve never contacted me,” he added. Despite his efforts to secure safe roads for the masses, the National Film Award winner artist has no political ambitions. “I am a man of the road and I want to stay that way. I’ve dedicated my life to save the people of the country from the dire consequences of road accidents. I’ve no political ambitions and never expressed any desire to take part in the elections to anybody,” said Kanchan, whose first wife Jahanara Kanchan died in a road accident on October 22, 1993. Kanchan then established a social movement “Nirapad Sharak Chai” (We Demand Safe Roads). The Government of Bangladesh later declared October 22 as National Road Safety Day. According to Kanchan, the rumours could have been spread to hinder the steps he has taken to celebrate the coming National Road Safety Day. Ilias Kanachan debuted his acting career in 1977 through his performances in the film Boshundhora directed by Subhash Dutta. He appeared Tahsan releases Obhiman Aamar in more than 300 films during the 1980s and 1990s and has won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Porineeta (1986). In 2015, he acted in a children’s film Ghuri, produced by Cinevision Bangladesh which was written and directed by filmmaker Zafar Firoze • Train to Busan 4:20pm, Zee Studio While a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan. Cast: Gong Yoo, Ma Dongseok, Jung Yu-mi, Kim Su-an, Kim Eui-sung, Choi Woo-shik Ant-Man 9:30pm, Movies Now Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world. Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Mich • Showtime Desk Popular musician and actor Tahsan launched his muchanticipated album Obhiman Aamar at GPHouse on September 7. At the event, Tahsan charted out his future plans to the media during the formal launch of the album. The music video of the title track from the album, “Obhiman Aamar” was released on the night before Eid, and has already created quite a buzz on social media. The album contains a total of seven songs, six of which were written by Tahsan himself, while the other track was jointly written by Fazbir Taj and Tahsan. Three of the songs were composed by Tahsan, while Sajid Sarkar and Nahid Noman Arup composed two songs each. Out of his love and respect for the recently demised Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, Tahsan dedicated a song titled “Koshto” from his latest album to the highly popular international artist. As an album, Obhiman Amar is a standout for Tahsan, who has revealed many of his untold stories through the album. To share those untold stories and the background stories of the album, the singer uploaded five vlogs on his official Facebook page before the release of the album. Tahsan’s fans were in for a few surprises at the end of the press conference when the artist announced two competitions for his fans. Among the contests, Cover Contest, provides the Tahsan aficionados with an opportunity to share stage with Tahsan by covering his tracks. The other competition is titled “A Wish Come True with Tahsan.” There were also surprise announcements regarding Tahsan’s visit to the US and a concert scheduled for October where he will sing tracks from the latest album. Obhiman Aamar has been released on GP Music. Moreover, the music videos have been released on Grameenphone’s Bioscope platform.• Sully 7:45pm, HBO The story of Chesley Sullenberger, an American pilot who became a hero after landing his damaged plane on the Hudson River in order to save the flight’s passengers and crew. Cast: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Anna Gunn, Autumn Reeser, Ann Cusack, Holt McCallany, Mike O’Malleyael Pena, Anthony Mackie The Transporter 11:53pm, Star Movies Frank is hired to “transport” packages for unknown clients and has made a very good living doing so. But when asked to move a package that begins moving, complications arise. Cast: Jason Statham, Shu Qi, Matt Schulze, Ric Young, Doug Rand, François Berléand
Page 1 and 2: SECOND EDITION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER
Page 3 and 4: News SATURDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 9, 2017
Page 5 and 6: News 5 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017
Page 7 and 8: Bangladesh overhauls Pakistan in pe
Page 9 and 10: News 9 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017
Page 11 and 12: We are all Rohingya The world has a
Page 13 and 14: Opinion 13 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2
Page 15 and 16: Kids 15 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017
Page 17 and 18: What’s on 17 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER
Page 19 and 20: Hazard ready to return for Chelsea
Page 21: Sports 21 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 20

DT e-Paper Saturday 09 September 2017

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