Television

I'd waited well over a year to see this much hyped film and Mostofa Sarwar Farooki yet again doesn't disappoint; in my opinion this is probably his best work and a much more polished effort than 'Third Person Singular Number'. The fact the narrative is set in a village in Bangladesh is irrelevant because the story of its people is a universal one and the message transcends cultures. This is the story of how close mindedness and the winds of change clash in a rapidly changing world. Bangladesh's official submission to 2014's Oscars, in what was a very strong 12 months for world cinema, didn't make the final list of nominees but it doesn't really matter because this is an accomplished film that has been praised both in its home country and at the select film festivals its played at. With the exception of 'Monpura', this is the best piece of cinema to come out of Dhaka's growing film industry in the last 10 years. If I could bet on one filmmaker from Bangladesh really cracking the international film festival circuit in a big way in the future, my money's definitely on Farooki. A recommended film.

"Acceptance of something new in the system is good, but completely denying the thing just on its predictable negative impacts is the foolish act, it is depended upon us, how we use it so it results'', everything has its limitations but with proper usage it could turn to be the boon and the same thing may cause the negative impact if it crosses its limitation.

2012's Bangladesh movie ''Television'' has something interesting story to know about, it's the story that revolves around the old village chairman's orthodox traditional restrictions and changing modern mind of that community youngsters, that old village chairman has some negative stereotypes regarding the changing trends and the advent of technology which may mislead its community members and about posing threat to their tradition, in order to avoid its impact he imposes various rules and bans the use of various modern gadgets like mobile and television, but the question is until what extent such practices prevails to be in action? At the end of the movie the same old village chairman who unfortunately misses the chance of visiting the pilgrim place witnesses the same pilgrim place in the television and reaches the state of euphoria and finally realising that every thing in this world has its own pros and cons, but its consequence is depended on how we use them.

The entire casting is so good that each and every artist had provided full justice to their respective roles, the story has been neatly narrated and no doubt it reaches the mind of people and evoke their emotions, very fine and incredible work done by the young Bangladesh film maker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.

Television, directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, is a thought-provoking Bangladeshi film that explores the impact of modern media on rural life and cultural traditions. Set in a small village, the story centers around the character of Apu, a simple man who becomes embroiled in a local controversy after a television set is introduced to the community.

The film brilliantly juxtaposes tradition and modernity, highlighting the transformative power of television. It showcases how the arrival of a TV can change social dynamics, bringing both excitement and conflict to the village. Apu, played convincingly by the talented Chanchal Chowdhury, is portrayed as a reluctant yet relatable protagonist, caught between his conservative upbringing and the allure of the new media. His internal struggles and eventual decisions form the emotional core of the film.

Farooki's direction is commendable, balancing humor with serious social commentary. The screenplay effectively blends satire with drama, providing sharp insights into the clash of values and the complexities of human relationships in a changing society. The dialogues are witty and engaging, adding to the film's appeal.

The cinematography captures the essence of rural Bangladesh beautifully, with vibrant visuals that enhance the storytelling. The music, featuring a blend of folk and contemporary styles, complements the narrative and adds to the film's overall charm.

One of the film's strengths is its ability to provoke thought without being overly didactic. It encourages viewers to reflect on their own relationships with technology and the media, while also addressing broader themes of identity and cultural preservation.

However, some viewers may find the pacing uneven, with certain scenes feeling prolonged. Nevertheless, the film's engaging narrative and relatable characters keep the audience invested throughout.

In conclusion, Television is a captivating film that successfully merges entertainment with meaningful commentary on the effects of modern media on traditional values. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the evolving cultural landscape of Bangladesh and the ways in which technology shapes our lives.

Even before we have met the main characters of the story: Amin, his son Solaiman (Chanchal Chowdhury), his girlfriend Kohinoor (Nusrat Imrose Tisha), and Mojnu (Mosharraf Karim), who works under Solaiman as a help and is also in love with Kohinoor, director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has established the main theme of his film, which won the Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Award, closed the Busan International Film Festival and was Bangladesh's Oscar entry in 2013. It is now streaming on Bengali digital platform Hoichoi with subtitles.

This movie shows a strange village where no one can watch television and young people cannot use mobile phones.

I like the writing of the movie. Mostafa Sarwar Farooqi always makes such good movies. The cinematography and the screenplay was good.

Mojnu was interesting as a character and the actor made it even better. The story of Solaiman and Kohinoor's relationship was amazing. You will love it,

The acting of Chanchal Chowdhury and Mosharraf Karim was fantastic. Nusrat Imroz Tisha was a good actress in the movie.

I would suggest you to watch this movie.

As an American I'm getting completely bored with US TV & Film. I find Asian cinema to be really refreshing and interesting. I'm late to the party with this film Television and am so glad to have seen it. Beautifully shot in Bangladesh (the country just pops with color), authentic characters, wonderful script, with an absolute killer plot twist in the end. Can't say enough about this film. SEE IT!