Film 'Delupi' Captures Echoes of Post-July Uprising Era

A recent screening of the film 'Delupi' by director Mohammad Tawkir Islam at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy was followed by a discussion titled 'July Mass Uprising and the Political Role of Cinema.' The event featured prominent figures including poet and First আলো executive editor Sajjad Sharif, writer and New Age editor Nurul Kabir, Professor Bakhtiar Ahmed from Independent University Bangladesh, and Associate Professor Monira Sharmin from the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB).

During the discussion, Sajjad Sharif noted that 'Delupi' reflects the period following the July mass uprising, stating that the film portrays many events that occurred during the interim government. He suggested viewing 'Delupi' as both a village and a representation of Bangladesh, where leadership changed without fundamental transformation. Sharif highlighted the film's depiction of the situation of minorities and cultural practices during that time, emphasizing its significance for understanding the movement later on. Nurul Kabir added that the film attempts to capture the momentum and meaning of the uprising Bangladesh experienced.

Professor Bakhtiar Ahmed described 'Delupi' as simple, candid, and honest, focusing on microsocial situations beyond centralized narratives and offering an alternative perspective from the margins. He sees it as providing microscopic insights into the 1924 mass uprising, distinguishing it from other revolution films by avoiding grand narratives and instead presenting small, everyday truths of people's lives. Monira Sharmin pointed out that the film begins where the July uprising ended and is crucial for documenting the history of July 1924, noting that while much has happened related to July, few films have been made. She stressed that the film's core tone is July and that old foundations are essential for nation-building, observing that the dreams seen in the film resonate with Gen Z.

State Minister for Planning, Junaid Ahmed Palak, who attended the screening, remarked that movements transform people, potentially changing characters like Zakir Chairman, a transformation hinted at in the film. Culture State Minister A. K. M. Ahsanul Haque Amu and Director General of Shilpakala Academy, Liaquat Ali Lucky, were also present. Director Mohammad Tawkir Islam expressed his desire for the film to reach a wider audience. The event was organized by World Cine Circle, Cinephile Society Bangladesh, and Sundarban Film Society, and moderated by Mohammad Nur Ullah, General Secretary of the Federation of Film Societies of Bangladesh. 'Delupi,' released on November 7th, has received praise from both audiences and critics.