07-02-2021

sUNDAY, feBrUArY 7, 2021
10
Bangladesh participates in WHO's
Health for All Film Festival 2021
The World Health Organization (WHO)'s second
call for entries to its Health for All Film Festival has
received 1,175 submissions from 110 countries
including Bangladesh, the organization said on
Thursday, reports UNB.
In the second edition of the festival, Bangladesh is
participating alongside countries including
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France,
Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kenya,
Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal,
United Kingdom, the United States of America,
Russia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey
and Uganda.
More than 40% of the short films feature themes
related to Covid-19,
revealing the pandemic's
pervasive and universal
consequences, WHO said
in a press release.
Launched in 2020, the
festival aims to nurture a
new generation of film
and video innovators
focused on health topics.
WHO engaged with
independent filmmakers,
production
companies, NGOs,
communities, students,
and film schools, to ensure a diverse range of
entries.
"Telling stories is as old as human civilization. It
helps to inspire, motivate, build empathy and share
problems so we can find and share solutions
together. Everything WHO does is about stories
because everything we do is about people. We're
excited about the quantity and quality of entries in
this year's Health for All Film Festival. Ultimately,
we hope the festival is not just a way to tell stories,
but to change the arc of people's stories around the
world, towards better health," said Dr Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Three GRAND PRIX (grand prizes) will be
awarded in May 2021 for each of the following
categories that are aligned with WHO's global goals
for public health.
Universal health coverage (UHC): films about
mental health, non-communicable diseases, major
communicable diseases, innovative health services
and other UHC stories not part of emergencies.
Health emergencies: films about health
emergencies, such as COVID-19 and Ebola, as well
as health responses in the context of humanitarian
crises and conflict-affected settings;
Better health and well-being: films about
environmental and social determinants of health,
such as nutrition, sanitation, pollution, and/or
films about health promotion or health education.
WHO also plans to award three special prizes: a
student-produced film, a health educational film
aimed at youth, and a short video designed
exclusively for social media platforms.
Entries can include short documentaries or
fiction films (3 to 8 minutes in length) or animation
films (1 to 5 minutes).
The composition of the Festival jury will be
announced in the coming
weeks and will include a
number of criticallyacclaimed
artists from the
film and music industries,
along with WHO experts.
The jury will recommend
winners to WHO's
Director-General, who will
make the final decision.
Initial shortlists for each
category, comprising 15
films per category, will be
announced in March.
Richard Curtis, a film
director and writer from the United Kingdom, who
was a member of the 2020 jury, said: "Being a Juror
for the Health For All Film Festival was a deeply
satisfying job-so many subjects I knew nothing
about suddenly coming to life in the work of some
remarkable film-makers. And the actual judgement
day was gripping-really varied and passionate
points of view from everyone on the panel. It was a
real pleasure and a real privilege."
Wagner Moura, an actor and film director from
Brazil, who was also among the jurors in the first
edition of the Festival, said: "It was truly an
honour for me to participate. The films that I
have seen educated me a lot about different
health issues around the world, and I want to
encourage all persons concerned to keep doing
these films, to keep talking about your
communities, to keep exposing the
vulnerabilities of the communities that you
filmed. This is the perfect moment to praise the
work of volunteers, of doctors, of health sector
workers, that have sacrificed their lives for the
sake of the most vulnerable ones."
Gillian Anderson comes aboard
Lionsgate's White Bird adaptation
Actor Gillian Anderson will be
toplining Lionsgate's upcoming
drama White Bird: A Wonder
Story. Based on a graphic novel
of the same name by RJ Palacio,
the movie will serve as a creative
companion to the studio's 2017
hit Wonder, featuring Jacob
Tremblay, Julia Roberts and
Owen Wilson.
The story is about a young
Jewish girl hidden away by a boy
and his family in Nazi-occupied
France during World War II,
reported Deadline.
Anderson, 52, will essay the
role of Vivienne, the woman who
along with her family must make
unimaginable choices.
Filmmaker Marc Foster,
known for movies such as World
War Z, Quantum of Solace, The
Kite Runner and Stranger Than
Fiction, will direct from a
screenplay by Mark Bomback.
The project, which will begin
production in the Czech Republic
later this month, will be
produced by Mandeville Films'
David Hoberman and Todd
Lieberman alongside Palacio.
Anderson most recently
received Golden Globe and SAG
nominations for her
performance as former UK
Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher in hit Netflix series The
Crown.
Source: The Indian Express
TBT reporT
Shakib khan and Mahi's movie
'Nawab LL.B' got stuck in the
censor board due to 11
objections.
The Secretary of the Board of
Censor Md. Jasim Uddin
confirmed the matter on last
Thursday (February 4) at noon.
"The director-producer has
been informed of their
objections to 11 scenes," he said.
Excluding the scenes, he sent a
Bongo
releases
new horror
series '2
Mad Men'
Bongo, the first and largest video streaming
platform of the country, on Friday released
its new horror series"2 Mad Men", reports
UNB.
The new series portrays a horror story
with a narrative saying: "Have you ever been
in an empty office and felt like someone was
watching you? For some that horrific
sensation is never-ending."
British actor Jameela Jamil has
shared a message on the online
harassment she has been facing
since speaking up about the
farmers' protests in India. Jameela,
who is the star of the hit show, The
Good Place, said she has been
regularly speaking about the protest
and has been getting rape and death
threats online for it.
"I have repeatedly spoken about
the farmers in india over the past
few months and what is
happening there at the moment,
but each time I do I am met with
death and rape threats. so while
you are pressuring me in my dms
please keep in mind that i am a
human being who has some
limitations as to what i can
handle," she wrote in a message
on Instagram on Friday.
"I do however maintain. my
solidarity is of course with the
farmers in India and everyone
fighting for their rights during this
protest. I hope you are also
pressuring men to speak on this
subject too as they are far less
likely to be attacked the way
women in the public eye are. To
everyone reading this. As I've
letter to submit the image to the
censor again. Otherwise, it is not
possible to give clearance to this
film in any way."
Meanwhile, director Ananya
Mamun expressed surprise in
response to the censor board's
decision. He has already been
jailed for a scene in the film and
is out on bail.
Ananya Mamun told the
media, "I apologize again for
that scene of the police. That
may not have been the case. But
asked many times before, please
read about what's happening," she
added. Responding to her
comment, Four Weddings and a
Funeral star Andie Macdowell
wrote, "Went to India for my first
they also objected to the
dialogue that 'rape of women
means killing freedom'! This is
what I am having trouble
accepting. I want to go to jail a
hundred times for this
dialogue".
I would change 11 scenes
based on the censor board's
objections. And the film will be
released in theaters soon with
censor clearance said Mamun.
However, he thinks that
dropping the scenes will lead to
a rhythmic decline in the
continuity of the film.
'Nawab LL.B' was released on
December 16, on "I-Theater"
"At this haunted office, no one will dare
stay after it gets dark. Only the '2 Mad Men'
can explain this persistent haunting."
Starring Manoj Kumar Pramanik, Arosh
Khan and Sumaiya Afrin Ahona in the lead
roles, and directed by Sameer Ahmed, "2
Mad Men" has been powered by e-
commerce outlet Buy Here Now.
Bongo Chief Operating Officer Fayaz
Movie 'Nawab
LL.B' stucks in
censor board
time last year right before
coronavirus. I am watching. don't
know why people are threatening
you ? You can block those people."
On Saturday, Oscar-winning actor
Susan Sarandon had also voiced
app. Director Ananya Mamun
and actor Shaheen Mridha were
arrested on the night of
December 24 on charges of
'insulting' the police in a scene
from the film. Both were sent to
jail in a pornography case filed
by the police. On January 11,
they both got bail. Originally,
the film was submitted for
censor board after bail. It is
believed that both of them got
bail on the condition of
removing the objectionable
issues from the film.
Orchita Sporshia has played
an important role in Shakib
Khan's 'Nawab LL.B'.
Taher said, "We always try to provide the
best entertainment possible. And we
previously released genres of action, thriller,
romantic, comedy, and much more."
"I believe people will love this newly added
genre - horror."
Viewers can watch the series on Bongo
through Bongo's iOS or Android app,
website and Android TV app.
Jameela Jamil getting rape threats after
voicing support for Indian farmers
her support towards the farmers,
who are protesting against the
new farm laws by the central
government. "Standing in
solidarity with the
#FarmersProtest in India. Read
about who they are and why
they're protesting below," she
wrote in her tweet.
Before them, pop star Rihanna
had also tweeted about the
protest, raising awareness about it
on Twitter. Later, Swedish activist
Greta Thunberg also extended her
support to the farmers' cause.
On Wednesday, a host of
Bollywood celebrities, including
Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn,
Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor and
Suniel Shetty, put out similar
statements about the ongoing
farmers' protest with the hashtag
'India against propaganda'.
Source: The News
H o r o s c o p e
ArIes
(March 21 - April 20) : Have you been
thinking about attending a seminar of some
kind, Aries, perhaps business related? You
and a partner might go together. This is a
good time to do this, as your thinking is particularly clear
and retentive and you find it easier than usual to
concentrate. Discussions with your partner afterward
could be the icing on the cake. Tomorrow you will feel like
you can take the world by storm.
TAUrUs
(April 21 - May 21) : Your dreams might
be especially intense now, and some could
even be prophetic. You may have recently
dreamed of an old friend you haven't seen
for a while. Don't be surprised if you suddenly hear from
this person, Taurus. You might also come up with some
previously unknown ideas for advancing yourself
professionally. Don't let the unorthodox source of these
insights stop you from using them.
GeMINI
(May 22 - June 21) : Social events involving
both old and new friends could prove especially
satisfying at this time, Gemini. You will be able
to catch up with those you haven't seen for a
while. You might also be introduced to new people who prove
valuable business contacts in the future. Expect good news,
stimulating conversation, and a lot of reminiscing about the
past with warm and congenial companions.
cANcer
(June 22 - July 23) : Today you might
decide to get some annoying but
necessary chores done, Cancer. You
have the energy and stamina to finish
them and probably will, although you may go crazy
from boredom in the meantime. Your mind should
be especially active, so don't be surprised if during
the course of doing your chores you find the
answers to questions you've been asking yourself
for a long time.
Leo
(July 24 - Aug. 23): Some information
that you've been seeking for a long time
might finally be unEarthed today through
your diligent efforts, Leo. This is going to
increase your ability to take on whatever challenges
you're planning to address. Your already sharp business
acumen is likely to be enhanced by whatever you
discover. Be prepared for a lot of hard work and
continued success over the next few months.
VIrGo
(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): Virgo, some volatile
emotional matters that may have reared their
heads over the past few days could finally be
settled to the satisfaction of all involved. The
subject of money may come up. Happiness reigns in the
home, as all the members of your household are basically
pleased with the way their lives are going. The appearance of
some well-loved visitors may add to the contentment.
LIBrA
(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): Some solid, honest
communication between you and those
you love is likely to clear up some
confusion. Roles are more clearly defined,
emotional problems clarified, and chores are more
fairly allotted. This is going to make a big difference in
your daily life. The removal of relationship issues will
guarantee that the atmosphere is more harmonious
from now on.
scorpIo
(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) : You might need to do
some of the less exciting chores involved
with creative or artistic projects today,
Sagittarius. You're in the right frame of
mind to get them done. Your efficiency is at a peak. A
practical, no-nonsense manner marks all your
interactions. By day's end you should feel more than
satisfied with what you've done. You're apt to be
prepared for the next phase of the project.
sAGITTArIUs
(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): You might need to do
some of the less exciting chores involved with
creative or artistic projects today, Sagittarius.
You're in the right frame of mind to get them
done. Your efficiency is at a peak. A practical, no-nonsense
manner marks all your interactions. By day's end you should
feel more than satisfied with what you've done. You're apt to be
prepared for the next phase of the project.
cAprIcorN
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): You may have let
household tasks and chores go for a
few days, Capricorn, so today you
might decide to get them all done at
once. You have the energy and the stamina to do
it. However, take care not to get too caught up in
little details that only you tend to notice. This can
keep you from getting the most important chores
done.
AQUArIUs
(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : Some letters and
calls that you may have agreed to do for
a group you're affiliated with might
have to be taken care of today,
Aquarius. Don't be surprised if you spend a lot of
your time on the phone. It might take a little
persistence, as some of the people you need to reach
may not be in. But you're likely to get everything
done. Your determination is strong.
pIsces
(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : You may need to take
care of paperwork related to financial
matters today, Pisces. You will pay bills,
make deposits, or balance checkbooks.
Whatever you need to handle, you will get it done, and
done well. You might even find that you're better off
financially than you thought you were. In the evening, go
to a movie and forget about money for a while.