The Bangladeshi film industry, ideas of national cinema and possible future directions for filmmakers: Video interview.

The thesis examines past and current perceptions of Bangladeshi filmmaking practices and Bangladeshi cinema history since 1971, through a series of video interviews undertaken in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a relatively new state, which gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 following nine months of civil war. As a result, the country’s political stability and its pre-existing film industry were destroyed and did not modernise in the same way as the industries in neighbouring countries such as India. This unique study seeks to examine possible new directions for future filmmakers in Bangladesh. That is why the research process explores Bangladeshi national cinema, history, filmmaking, and training facilities. The thesis employs a film-focused qualitative approach and is influenced by my professional background and interest. The key to this study is using a visual qualitative method in the form of interviews undertaken by video, and then edited together to produce a video. On the one hand, this video is an artefact in its own right and, on the other, also a research method integral to my thinking and analysis. The interviewees who engaged in conversations with me were chosen based on their expertise in film, media and journalism in Bangladesh. In the video, I explore the issues related to Bangladesh film history, concerns about filmmaking in Bangladesh and film education in Bangladesh since 1971. In its analysis, the thesis further draws on my interpretation of the literature review and the video and provides a multi-layered argument about past and present understandings of filmmaking practices to look to the future of filmmaking practices in Bangladesh.