Shonibar Bikel

I have been going to watch this movie since 2019! At last, I have the opportunity. After a very good movie "Dhoob", I thought it would reach the top tier of the rank. But it totally disappoints me.

First of all, the script was so poor that I could not connect anything. The making was dull. Nothing special. I was so optimistic about the one take. But cinematography wasn't that promising, blocking wasn't good enough.

The plot, subplot, backstory, character arc, actually nothing is visible in this film. It's like a poor stage drama that is directed by a novice film student.

The making was so poor that I think his very early film "Made in Bangladesh" was far better than this.

The only good thing about this movie is the acting. All the promising characters were so amazing. But it is a shame not to see any minor artists deliver at least one sentence.

Overall, it is not the cinema that I was expecting. I believe this is one of the worst cinemas directed by Farooqi!

I hope he will come back very strongly. Best of luck for him.

"Saturday Afternoon" is an exceptional film that showcases the immense talent of Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. The film explores the intricacies of human relationships and the fragility of life, leaving a lasting impression on its viewers.

Farooki's direction is masterful as he skillfully weaves together the lives of the film's characters with a powerful narrative. The story unfolds over the course of a single afternoon, as a group of friends reunite to celebrate the homecoming of one of their own. However, as the day progresses, hidden truths and long-held secrets come to light, leading to unexpected consequences.

The cast of "Saturday Afternoon" is outstanding, delivering nuanced and authentic performances that draw the audience in. Their chemistry is palpable, and the genuine emotion they bring to their roles is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

Visually, the film is stunning, capturing the vibrant energy of Dhaka, the city in which it is set. The cinematography and editing are impressive, creating a seamless flow that adds to the film's impact.

Overall, "Saturday Afternoon" is a must-see film that showcases the best of Bangladeshi cinema. It is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a moving and unforgettable cinematic experience.

This film is inspired by the real-life Holey Artisan attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh. But rather than make a film about the tragedy faced by real families, the filmmakers chose to create a fictional story based on a same premise: a group of terrorists attack a restaurant in Dhaka during the month of Ramadan and hold the patrons hostage, claiming to do so in the name of religion, murdering many of them over the course of the hostage crisis.

The characters depicted as the terrorists, hostage, and the restaurant staff, are all fictionalized. New characters are invented each of whose circumstances shed light on the hollow baselessness of the terrorists' botched mission.

Given that this is a film shot in a single take, it has the distinct feel of a one-act play, in which character drama unfolds through the dialogue. Despite the dark and tense premise, some of the dialogue elicited awkward chuckles from those of us watching and many of the lines of dialogue struck a chord as well.

I don't want to go into the details of the many interesting nuances of the film because I really think it's best to go in knowing nothing about the characters and learning about each of them as the narrative unfolds.

"Saturday Afternoon" is a deeply emotional film directed by the talented Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, exploring a similar context to "The Holy Artisan Attack" which refers to a terrorist attack that took place on July 1, 2016, in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The target of the attack was the Holey Artisan Bakery, a popular café located in the Gulshan diplomatic zone of Dhaka. The attackers entered the café and took several hostages, including both locals and foreigners.

The storyline unfolds as a diverse group of individuals becomes trapped in a restaurant on a Saturday afternoon in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Farooki's skilled direction creates a palpable sense of tension within the confined space, effectively using it as a backdrop to delve into the characters' innermost fears, regrets, and desires.

The stellar performances of the cast, especially Nusrat Imrose Tisha in one of the lead roles and Zahid Hasan also, both contributed to the film's emotional depth. Infusing the film with genuine emotion, and the chemistry among the rest of the cast enhances the impact of the unfolding drama.

Visually, "Saturday Afternoon" offers a stunning cinematic experience. "Saturday Afternoon" is noteworthy not only for its compelling narrative but also for its remarkable camerawork, particularly the ambitious use of a single-shot technique. The film is crafted to appear as though it unfolds seamlessly in real-time, shot in a continuous take without any noticeable cuts. The cinematography and editing contribute to a seamless narrative flow, immersing the audience in the characters' lives.

However, opinions on the film's reception vary. While some laud it as a masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression, others express disappointment in what they perceive as a lack of story build-up and scattered plot elements.

I really liked the film personally and will recommend it to everyone.

8/10.

This movie was a disaster. They had the plot but they could not utilize it. They had so many good casts but I am afraid the director could not use them at all. Manoj is such a good actors plays leading role in other series but he only had one sentence. No story build up, no context and the movie was scattered here and there. The ending was horrible too. How come it's an award winning film. Very disappointed. Some of the characters were joke especially the mom of Trisha. A mother never reacts the way it was shown there. Parambrata is an outstanding actor but his original voice was not used which was so annoying to hear. They could also show involvement of police but nothing was shown properly. Too bad.