Founder - director of FEMCOM, an all-women media group, Nasrin Akhter has recently been in the news for her widely acclaimed film on AIDS, "Meghla Akash" which was selected among the best of films (out of 600 entrees) at the International Women's Film Festival in Germany recently. Before this she produced and directed the first telefilm on AIDS in Bangladesh -- 'Ajana Ghatak' starring Ilias Kanchan and Chompa, which contains motivational messages on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Nargis's approach to film making is quite unconventional. Her films have all the ingredients of a box office hit -- big stars, a romantic plot and plenty of colourful songs and dances to keep the target audience lured to the screen. Yet in between the dance sequences or comical scenes that constitute the bread and butter of Bangla commercial cinema, are hard hitting messages about the consequences of men's promiscuity, unprotected sex, gender discrimination, violence against women etc. This unique combination has earned widespread success of her films in terms of audience expectation and awareness. Yet inspite of the enthusiastic response to her films, Nargis is deeply disappointed by the tepid reaction of her films from the government. "According to cinema hall reports, "Meghla Akash" was viewed by over 1 crore people," says Nargis, but if this kind of awareness on AIDS was done through any other means, then it would probably have taken ten years to do the job we did in 6 months. But we did not get any kind of support from the government."

As with the making of any commercial film, the costs were phenomenal. While FEMCOM raised as much funds as it could from its own sources, a large amount of the cost was covered by a loan from FDC. "I must express my heartfelt gratitude to Wasimul Bari Rajib who gave such tremendous support. Without this credit facility we would not have been able to release the film."

This film had big screen Indian stars such as Shabana Azmi, Ayub Khan and Neelum Singh all of whom worked on a voluntary basis. Local stars included Moushumi, Purnima and Amin Khan. Meghla Akash was shown in all the major cinema halls of the country, many of which were housefull. The film's entertainment value also ensured people seeing the film more than once. "I had to pay Tk 10,000 for one costume worn by Purnima in a dance sequence which was shot in several locations," says Nargis. The challenge, says Nargis was to make every moment entertaining while at the same time portrayed some very serious issues -- AIDS, trafficking, reproductive health, social acceptance of AIDS victims. The film, in fact deals with a highly sensitive issue such as men's infidelity which ultimately can lead to being infected by the HIV virus which is then transmitted to an unsuspecting female partner. Another strong and perhaps controversial message in the film is that society must accept AIDS patients as people and not deprive them of their rights as human beings. The film has received more applause abroad than at home. In Nepal where it was screened there are plans to dub it in Nepalese. "In Germany, the jury board told me 'teach us how it is possible to educate through entertainment,'" says Nargis. Surprisingly, back home, the film was not even shown on World AIDS Day either publicly or on any TV channel. "There is a misconception that it is an NGO-funded film so it should be shown free. But it is a full-length feature film. The success of Meghla Akash has shown that cinema as a medium has the biggest impact on the public."

Nargis's entry into the world of filmmaking came after attending a rigorous workshop on the subject. With a Master's degree in Sociology from Dhaka University (in which she secured a first class) and equipped with her new skills in filmmaking, Nargis embarked upon building an organisation that would combine the fruits of both. Assisted by FEMCOM's founder member Parveen Ahmed, Nargis recruited her team by picking the best participants from workshops arranged by FEMCOM. The workshop taught the participants everything they needed to know about filmmaking and video formatting. FEMCOM eventually became an organisation that provides the services of making documentaries or telefilms as well as develops ideas and communication for change through audio-visual media. Sometimes the projects are executed with FEMCOM's own funds and sometimes as joint ventures. So far FEMCOM has produced 40 documentaries and 12-13 drama serials and telefilms as well as 25-30 issue based televisions spots. It was after doing these (in video format) that Nargis realised that fulfillment of a filmmaker could only be through working with a film format. "I realised this specially after my telefilm on AIDS -- 'Ajana Ghatok' which was subject to a lot of censorship as people thought that certain dialogue too explicit. "But unless such things are frankly discussed how is it possible to educate people about AIDS?" demands Nargis. "So I decided to try the film format. Cinema can reach a much wider audience. In rural areas where TV viewing is limited, it is the cinema that everyone goes to."

Nargis meanwhile, is working on a drama serial called 'Ban Bhashi Manush', 'People of the flood' which encourages fishing communities to manage fisheries efficiently and benefit through united efforts. For the serial, Nargis will be recruiting folk theatre artistes.

But it is Nargis's next film that is sure to create quite a stir among the public. Called 'Char Shotiner Ghar' (Four Wives' Home) it is based on Selina Hussain's 'Hridoy Sromer Shangshar'. This time Nargis addresses the issue of infertility which causes tremendous trauma to women as the wife's inability to have babies becomes an excuse for polygamy. The film condemns this and shows that there is modern treatment available to cure infertility. Nargis points out that the film is sure to have an impact as many of those who will go to see it, are the ones guilty of polygamy. The film has a very high profile cast with Babita, Diti, Mayuri and Shabnoor (as the four wives) and Alamgir as the polygamous husband, Mahfuz Ahmed, Ahmed Rubel and Rozina in other roles. "There is no way to separate my feature films from any other commercial film," says Nargis. "All the ingredients are there." At the same time there is no denying that Nargis touches upon issues which are often seen as taboo in our society such as extra-marital sex, unprotected sex, prostitution, and polygamy, all of which have serious consequences on the physical and mental well being of people.

So far her efforts have already been awarded, not by the state but by her target audience. Commercial sex workers says, Nargis, have told her that after seeing 'Meghla Akash', they insist on their clients using condoms. If they don't they are asked to go and watch 'Meghla Akash' and then return.

By Aasha Mehreen Amin

Daily Star