Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged the film industry to focus more on the country's independence war and sacrifice of the masses besides providing entertainment, reports UNB.
"Besides giving entertainment, films can reform the society, educate the people, imbue them with patriotism and advance the country towards prosperity," she said while speaking at a function organized to distribute the National Film Awards 2020 to the winners in 27 categories.
The programme was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) while the PM joined it through video link from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Hasina said films mirror life and they can also reform the society. "Films can contribute hugely toward social reform, teach philosophy and history," she added.
The PM mentioned that films can spread the facts among the mass people about the real history of the country's independence.
People can learn about many unknown national events through films, she said, mentioning that cinemas have power to help remove irregularities and indiscipline from the society. "And I believe that."
She also mentioned that films can be a powerful medium to spread the sense of responsibility and accountability towards the country and its people.
The prime minister said she plans to equip the film industry of the country with modern technologies. "For that we need to transform the cinema halls at upazila level into cineplexes."
She said the government has created a Tk 10 billion (1000 crore) fund for this purpose.
She also put emphasis on transforming the analogue system of old cinemas into digital one for the new generation.
The PM elaborated various steps of her government for the development of the film industry and welfare of the artistes and filmmakers.
She said steps have also been taken to build a modern film complex to protect the cinema industry.
Sheikh Hasina said by nature the Bangalees accept the culture and arts of the country in their hearts.
That's why, Bangladesh's nationhood would be more flourished through films, literature and culture in the days ahead, she observed.
She also highly appreciated the performance of the artistes in the awarded films, saying that their role was just extraordinary.
On the prime minister's behalf, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud handed over the awards to 32 winners in 27 categories.
Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Ministry Hasanul Huq Inu and Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md. Mokbul Hossain also spoke at the programme.
Actor Raisul Islam Asad spoke on behalf of the award recipients.
