Aung Rakhine (Bengali: অং রাখাইন; born October 21, 1985) is a Bangladeshi filmmaker noted for his films My Bicycle and The Last Post Office; premiered at several international festivals, including the Locarno Film Festival, the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, and Göteborg Film Festival that brings him international recognition.[1] My Bicycle is the country's first Chakma language film.[2]
Aung Rakhine | |
---|---|
অং রাখাইন | |
Born | October 21, 1985 Harbang, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh |
Citizenship | Bangladeshi |
Alma mater | University of Development Alternative, National Institute of Mass Communication |
Occupation(s) | film director, producer |
Years active | 2014 - present |
Notable work | My Bicycle, The Last Post Office |
The Bangladesh Film Censor Board blocked the commercial release of My Bicycle, citing language barriers and concerns over the film's portrayal of the military.[3][4] The film featured an all-local cast with no professional actors involved.[5]
Early life and education
editAung Rakhine was born in Harbang, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of Development Alternative (UODA) in 2011.[6] He also pursued a Film Direction Course at the National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Bangladesh).[7]
Career
editAung Rakhine has started his career in film as an Executive Producer at Bengal Creations Ltd from February 2015 to September 2018 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.[8] Additionally, he co-founded Khona Talkies and served as a Director and Executive Producer from 2015 to March 2019. He is one of the producers of Khona's film Made in Bangladesh directed by Rubaiyat Hossain.[9][10]Aung also served as executive producer of Giasuddin Selim's film Swapnajaal.[11]
Filmography
edit- The Last Post Office (2018) - Short film, Screened at Locarno Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Tampere Film Festival, and Hong Kong International Film Festival in 2019.[12][13][14]
- My Bicycle (2015) - Short film, Featured at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Gothenburg Film Festival, Zanzibar International Film Festival, and Skabmagovat Film Festival (Finland).[15]
On August 8, 2024, an independent film activist group organized an open screening called #CinemaDehuntis as part of a reformist movement urging the government to abolish film censorship. This campaign is a subset of the broader Student–People's uprising in Bangladesh opposing the Awami administration.[16]
Awards and recognition
editThroughout his career, Aung Rakhine has received awards and recognized indigenous filmmakers from Bangladesh, showcased at numerous international film festivals.[18]
References
edit- ^ "My Bicycle (Mor Thengari)". londonnet.co.uk. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ Orko, Jawad Ahmed (April 2, 2015). "My Bicycle". The Daily Star. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ "Bangladesh film banned because the censors could not speak a local dialect". Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ Ibrahim, Ahmad (February 19, 2016). "How to Kill a Language". Star Weekend Magazine (Opinion). The Daily Star. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ "Bangladesh's Censor Board Blocks the Country's First Chakma-Language Film". 11 December 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ "Aung Rakhine – A tribute to the movie director of "Mor Teng Gari" (My bicycle)". Subcontinental wind (in Italian). 9 November 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Clermont ISFF | Expresso Video – Aung Rakhine | Clermont ISFF". Clermont ISFF. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Ferdous, Fahmim (6 April 2018). "It's time to weave "Swapnajaal"". The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Berlinale Talents Project - "The Last Post Office"". Berlinale Talents. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Cinando". cinando.com. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Ershad, Kamol. "Swapnajaal weaves dreams in brutal reality". newagebd.net. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "'The Last Post Office' will premiere at Locarno International Film Festival". dhakatribune. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Aung Rakhine | Ocenenia". ČSFD.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "The Last Post Office / Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2019(SSFF & ASIA 2019)". www.shortshorts.org (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Writer, Guest (24 March 2021). "Film Analysis: My Bicycle (2015) by Aung Rakhine". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Arts & Entertainment Desk (2024-08-09). "Aung Rakhine's banned Chakma film 'My Bicycle' premieres". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "তৃতীয় মিশনে অং রাখাইন". protidinerbangladesh.com. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (20 November 2015). "তিন মাসে তিন দেশে অংয়ের 'মাই বাইসাইকেল'". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Orko, Jawad Ahmed (2 April 2015). "My Bicycle". The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Sun, Daily (July 2017). "My Bicycle in Latin American fests". daily-sun. Retrieved 25 October 2024.