Recouping attention of the movie watchers

People use different tools for their amusement and watching movie is one of them. It is a popular way of recreation almost in every country. Bangladesh film industry is serving this purpose. Bangladesh film industry referred to as Dhallywood has been based in Dhaka since 1956. It produces on an average 60 movies in a year with an average budget of 120 million BDT.
But the question is whether the movies are worthy enough to content the movie watchers. The answer is a big "No". The films that are currently produced are not watchable. The reality is that the cinema industry has reached its nadir. The industry is plunging day by day. The deteriorating standard of our film has taken its toll on the saner viewers. The cine goers are mostly loafers and rickshaw-pullers. The vulgar cut pieces have successfully driven away the high-minded viewers. Low analog print of our films is distasteful and full of unpalatable dialogues. So people also change their taste and indulge themselves in watching Hindi serials and movies.
The hope of resurrection is also not so convincing. Why is this happening here though the scenario is just the opposite in other places? Film industries all over the world are making profits. According to a news story on BBC Online, more than £1.0 billion was spent making films in the UK during 2010, data released by the UK Film Council shows. A record amount of £1.15 billion was exhausted making 119 films last year - an 8 per cent rise on 2009's £1.07 billion expenditure. International filmmakers spent more money than ever in the UK last year, pouring almost £929 million into the production of 28 films.
People in different countries are making good use of modern technology and harnessing profit by using it but unfortunately our film industry is lagging behind as in other industries.
However, with the emergence of some innovative filmmakers, namely Mostofa Sarwar Farouki (director), Giasuddin Selim (director), Nasiruddin Yousuf (director), Redwan Rony (director) the industry seems to revive. Some of the movies directed by them have started to attract the saner viewers. But what a few of them can do when the film industry is going to lose its all saner viewers? They are still trying their best to revive the industry by making films with what they find at hand. They are regularly making films but the number of the films is low.
Fortunately, a man named Ananta Jalil is also trying his best to revamp the film industry and attract the people through introducing new technologies. But all his efforts are going in vein. It is pretty good that he is using technology and modern facilities but he is not successful in some cases. He is now the most discussed person in the film arena. There is also a controversy regarding some issues. The standard of the acting, script and story is not fascinating. It is laudable that he at least is making efforts but he has to understand that the technology itself is not the only requirement that can improve the situation.
As a result, the young generation is changing their taste also. They now indulge themselves in watching Indian movies and serials which are full of glamour and scintillating dialogue with suave language. The degree of addiction is very high. Almost at every house, the women and children watch Hindi serials. The stories usually revolve around power, money, jealousy, extra-marital affairs, and not to forget the occasional reincarnations. Even our weddings are a victim of Hindi serial culture.
Ever since our independence from Pakistan in 1971, local cinema halls have been restricted from showing Indian films. Nevertheless through satellite television channels their culture is invading ours. Some people in our society, especially the half-educated and the uneducated have started adopting the culture portrayed by those serials, leaving very little space for our own culture. People have the right to watch according to their taste but in this case we are leaving our own culture in danger.
The future of our film industry seems to be bleak. Without any delay, Bangladesh film industry needs to bounce back. So what needs to be done? The habit which is formed gradually among the people cannot be changed overnight. So where should the change come from? Should the cinema goers be educated or the government needs to refurbish the whole system?
Both the government and the citizens should come forward. The government can give subsidy in this sector and can also make collaboration with BFDC (Bangladesh Film Development Corporation) to harness the best out of this industry. The citizens should also make positive responses to movies which are really good and do the opposite in case of movies that are poor in quality. Also the knowledgeable manpower should be employed in this industry which the industry is looking for. Just as success of business depends on customers' tastes and preferences, the key element in filmmaking is a continuous exploration of creativity and innovation. So, innovative people are highly desired in this industry. The technology also needs to be updated.
Understanding the current situation of the film industry, proper strategies should be taken to promote the industry. Bearing the adage "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" in our mind, we hope that our film industry will bounce back. Every cloud has a silver lining.
The writer is enrolled in BBA (Final Year), Department of Accounting and Information Systems, University of Dhaka. Email: [email protected]