Mujib - Naissance d'une nation

"Mujib" has transitioned into a feature film instead of a documentary. Two aspects left a strong impression on me: 1. Arifin Shubo.

2. Cinematography.

Arifin's performance in this movie was commendable; he bet his good life on it. Witnessing this, Shuvo reminded me of an incident involving India's Aamir Khan. As Aamir Khan delves deep into a film, he begins to think about it even more than the director. Similarly, Shuvo perhaps had the grandest dream for this film, and why not? He constitutes 90% of the entire movie, and the film revolves around him.

Shuvo contributed to this movie for a mere token fee of 1 taka. It's evident that he held 'Mujib' close to his heart throughout the film. This performance stands as the pinnacle of Shuvo's career. In my opinion, this movie is worth watching solely for his remarkable performance.

The cinematography's specialty lies in the fact that most shots are single takes or long takes. I have some knowledge about film production, and I've noticed that Shyam Benegal often captures scenes in a single take, akin to a stage play. Even when a shot requires a change of angle or cuts within the same scene, he starts from the beginning, maintaining his unique style. However, a simple solution would have been to use multiple cameras.

Some of the shots truly surprised me; the camera movements and framing were exceptionally well done. Considering the director is 86 years old, expectations weren't high, but he honestly did not disappoint. He adapted the film to suit modern times.

I encourage every Bengali to watch this film!

© Simit Ray Antar.

"Mujib - The Making of a Nation" attempts to depict the life and achievements of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. However, despite the significance of the subject matter, the film fails to deliver a compelling narrative and falls short in its execution. From the disjointed storytelling to the lackluster performances, the film disappoints on multiple fronts, failing to do justice to the incredible journey of the man who shaped a nation.

Weak Script and Disjointed Storytelling: The screenplay of "Mujib - The Making of a Nation" lacks coherence and fails to provide a cohesive narrative. The film jumps haphazardly between different periods of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life, making it challenging for the audience to connect with the protagonist and fully comprehend the events unfolding on screen. The lack of a clear timeline and narrative structure undermines the film's ability to engage and immerse the viewers in the story.

Inconsistent Performances: Despite having a talented cast, the performances in "Mujib - The Making of a Nation" are inconsistent and fail to leave a lasting impact. The actors struggle to bring depth and authenticity to their characters, resulting in shallow portrayals that lack emotional resonance. Even the lead actor, tasked with depicting the iconic figure of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, fails to capture the charisma and gravitas associated with the historical figure, leaving the audience disconnected from the protagonist's journey.

Superficial Character Development: One of the film's major shortcomings is its inability to provide meaningful character development. The supporting characters, including political figures and Mujib's family members, are underdeveloped and reduced to mere caricatures. Their motivations and relationships remain poorly explored, preventing the audience from forming a strong emotional connection with the characters and limiting their impact on the overall narrative.

Lack of Historical Context and Depth: While attempting to portray an important chapter in Bangladesh's history, "Mujib - The Making of a Nation" fails to provide adequate historical context and depth. The film glosses over crucial events and political complexities, leaving the audience with a shallow understanding of the socio-political climate during that era. The missed opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of nation-building and the challenges faced by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman undermines the film's potential as a historical drama.

Uninspiring Cinematography and Production Design: The visual aspects of "Mujib - The Making of a Nation" also fall short. The cinematography lacks innovation and fails to capture the grandeur and significance of the portrayed events. Additionally, the production design appears lackluster, with sets and costumes that do not effectively transport the audience to the time period in which the story unfolds. The overall visual execution feels uninspired and fails to enhance the storytelling experience.

Here's a review focusing on some of the criticisms surrounding Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's rule, though it's important to note that historical figures are complex and not easily defined by a single narrative.

"Mujib: The Making of a Nation" is a film that seeks to lionize Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, portraying him as an unquestionable hero of the Bangladeshi independence movement. While his leadership was undeniably important to the formation of Bangladesh, the film whitewashes many of the controversies and complexities surrounding his rule.

Rahman's economic policies, particularly his nationalization drives, are often cited as a major factor in Bangladesh's subsequent economic decline. Critics argue that these policies stifled private enterprise and led to widespread inefficiency and corruption. The film either ignores these criticisms outright or attempts to justify them within a broader narrative of nation-building.

Furthermore, the film downplays the growing authoritarianism of Rahman's regime in the years following independence. While it acknowledges some political unrest, it fails to delve into the increasing suppression of dissent and the erosion of democratic institutions. The assassination of opposition leaders and the suspension of elections are merely footnotes in the film's grand historical epic.

Finally, the film's portrayal of India's role in the Bangladesh Liberation War is problematic. While India's support was undoubtedly crucial, the film seems to minimize the strategic interests that motivated their intervention. This one-sided perspective ignores the complexities of the India-Bangladesh relationship and the potential long-term consequences of Indian influence in the region.

In conclusion, "Mujib: The Making of a Nation" is a deeply flawed attempt to craft a definitive biography of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. By ignoring or downplaying the controversies and complexities of his rule, the film ultimately undermines its own credibility. A more honest and nuanced portrayal of this historical figure is desperately needed.

In Mujib: The Making of a Nation, viewers are taken on a journey through the life of a historical figure, but it's a journey filled with bumps and detours. The film's portrayal of history is riddled with inaccuracies, which may leave history enthusiasts disheartened. While the acting is serviceable, it doesn't quite leave a lasting impact, falling into the realm of 'average' at best.

One notable drawback is the choice of background music, which often fails to evoke the intended emotions, leaving a disconnect between the audience and the on-screen events. Costume design, too, falls short of expectations and could have been more meticulously executed.

Arefin Shuvo's dialogue delivery, on occasion, unintentionally injects humor into serious moments, breaking the immersion. Perhaps the most noteworthy concern is the apparent political bias in the narrative. It's clear that one side is disproportionately highlighted, potentially alienating a portion of the audience seeking a more balanced perspective.

In summary, 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation' is a film that stirs controversy with its historical inaccuracies, struggles to stand out in terms of acting, and falters in its production elements. While it has its moments, the overall experience warrants a modest rating of 5/10.

Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023) embarks on the ambitious journey of chronicling the life and legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a pivotal figure in Bangladesh's history. This informative biopic endeavours to encapsulate pivotal moments and the ethos of Rahman's era. Despite the stature of the director helming this project, the film needed to work on meeting expectations in terms of overall execution.

The performances, for the most part, came across as unconvincing, failing to breathe life into the historical characters they portray. Moreover, the screenplay's approach, which unabashedly seeks to glorify Bangladesh's Father of the Nation, needed more nuance and subtlety,Mujib: The Making of a Nation" (2023) embarks on the ambitious journey of chronicling the life and legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a pivotal figure in Bangladesh's history. This informative biopic endeavours to encapsulate pivotal moments and the ethos of Rahman's era. Despite the stature of the director helming this project, the film needs to work on meeting expectations in terms of overall execution.

The performances, for the most part, come across as unconvincing, failing to breathe life into the historical characters they portray. Moreover, the screenplay's approach, which unabashedly seeks to glorify Bangladesh's Father of the Nation, needed more nuance and subtlety, especially ahead of the country's general elections which was held on 7 January 2024 after the release of the movie.

Nevertheless, the film deserves recognition for its attempt to illuminate the life of a revered political figure in Bangladesh. The Indo-Bangladesh collaboration that brought this film to fruition is commendable, symbolising a significant soft-power strategy on New Delhi's part.

This partnership highlights the cultural and historical bonds shared by the two nations and sets a precedent for future collaborative projects. While 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation' might falter in its cinematic delivery, its effort to document and share an important chapter of South Asian history is undeniably praiseworthy.