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]

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

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.[7]

Career

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

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

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

  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 (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. ^ Rakhine, Aung (4 November 2015). অপেক্ষায় আছি, অপেক্ষায় থাকব. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  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". New Age. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  12. ^ "'The Last Post Office' will premiere at Locarno International Film Festival". Dhaka Tribune. 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)". shortshorts.org (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Film Analysis: My Bicycle (2015) by Aung Rakhine". Asian Movie Pulse. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Aung Rakhine's banned Chakma film 'My Bicycle' premieres". The Daily Star. 2024-08-09. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  17. ^ "তৃতীয় মিশনে অং রাখাইন". protidinerbangladesh.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  18. ^ তিন মাসে তিন দেশে অংয়ের 'মাই বাইসাইকেল'. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 20 November 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  19. ^ Orko, Jawad Ahmed (2 April 2015). "My Bicycle". The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  20. ^ "My Bicycle in Latin American fests". Daily Sun. July 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2024.


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