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
BornOctober 21, 1985
Harbang, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
CitizenshipBangladeshi
Alma materUniversity of Development Alternative, National Institute of Mass Communication
Occupation(s)film director, producer
Years active2014 - present
Notable workMy 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

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Aung 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

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Aung 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

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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]

  • Mru - Feature film, Based on the ethnic group Mru, Ongoing project since 2022.[17]

Awards and recognition

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Throughout his career, Aung Rakhine has received awards and recognized indigenous filmmakers from Bangladesh, showcased at numerous international film festivals.[18]

  • Best Screenplay Award - Ufa Silver Akbuzat Ethnic Cinema Festival, Russia (2015).[19]
  • Honourable Mention - Cine Kurumin - Int. Indigenous Film Festival, Brazil (2016).[20]
  • Audacious Bangladesh Award (2018) - ACI Group, Bangladesh.
  • Best Cinematographer Award (2018) - WhatsON, Bangladesh.

References

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  1. ^ "My Bicycle (Mor Thengari)". londonnet.co.uk. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  2. ^ Orko, Jawad Ahmed (April 2, 2015). "My Bicycle". The Daily Star. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  3. ^ "Bangladesh film banned because the censors could not speak a local dialect". Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  4. ^ Ibrahim, Ahmad (February 19, 2016). "How to Kill a Language". Star Weekend Magazine (Opinion). The Daily Star. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  5. ^ "Bangladesh's Censor Board Blocks the Country's First Chakma-Language Film". 11 December 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "Clermont ISFF | Expresso Video – Aung Rakhine | Clermont ISFF". Clermont ISFF. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  8. ^ Ferdous, Fahmim (6 April 2018). "It's time to weave "Swapnajaal"". The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Berlinale Talents Project - "The Last Post Office"". Berlinale Talents. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Cinando". cinando.com. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  11. ^ Ershad, Kamol. "Swapnajaal weaves dreams in brutal reality". newagebd.net. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  12. ^ "'The Last Post Office' will premiere at Locarno International Film Festival". dhakatribune. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Aung Rakhine | Ocenenia". ČSFD.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  14. ^ "The Last Post Office / Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2019(SSFF & ASIA 2019)". www.shortshorts.org (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  15. ^ Writer, Guest (24 March 2021). "Film Analysis: My Bicycle (2015) by Aung Rakhine". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  16. ^ Arts & Entertainment Desk (2024-08-09). "Aung Rakhine's banned Chakma film 'My Bicycle' premieres". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  17. ^ "তৃতীয় মিশনে অং রাখাইন". protidinerbangladesh.com. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  18. ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (20 November 2015). "তিন মাসে তিন দেশে অংয়ের 'মাই বাইসাইকেল'". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  19. ^ Orko, Jawad Ahmed (2 April 2015). "My Bicycle". The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  20. ^ Sun, Daily (July 2017). "My Bicycle in Latin American fests". daily-sun. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
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