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PETITION: Remove the ban on MATIR MOINA

The Bangladesh Film Censor Board (FCB) has refused to issue a censor certificate to the film MATIR MOINA (Clay Bird). This ruling overturns the earlier decision by the FCB (which is a division of the Ministry of Information) to issue an 'uncut' certificate to the film. In a letter to the director Tareque Masud, the FCB said the film should not be projected in public as it contains "religiously sensitive" material. This decision comes as a great surprise to those who have seen the film. The nation's leading newspaper Daily Star called it a "sensitive portrayal of a multi-cultural and multi-religious Bangladesh". The film is set against the historical backdrop of Bangladesh's 1971 liberation war in which 3 million people were killed by the Pakistan army. The lead character is a madrassah (Islamic religious school) student and is based on the personal experiences of the director Tareque Masud. Mr. Masud is a former madrassah student and said in a newspaper interview, "I made the movie as a fellow Muslim and wanted to inform people about the life in a madrassah that has both strict and liberal teachers... As a former madrassah student, I have portrayed not only the religious tolerance and broadmindedness of Bangladeshi society but
also a positive, credible and objective picture of the country against the negative propaganda of western media about madrassahs" (Daily Star).

Expressing surprise at the decision, the Daily Star newspaper wrote in an editorial: "Given that the film depicts madrassah education in a very sensitive light and presents the socio-religious contradictions in any society trying to adjust to the modern world, one is left wondering what
caused the ire of the censors. In fact the film takes a very sympathetic view of madrassah education which contrasts radically with Western depiction of Muslim religious education in such institutions."

The FCB's decision comes at a time when the film is receiving attention all over the world and creating a positive image for Bangladesh. MATIR MOINA was selected as the opening film for the prestigious Directors Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival. This is the first time a Bangladeshi film has been included in this world-renowned festival. On May 16th, the film's premiere received a standing ovation at Cannes. Responding to public demand, the festival organizers added three special screenings of the film.

On May 17th, the film was released in France nationwide by the French distributor MK2 (http://www.mk2.com/oiseau_argile/index.html). MK2 is an internationally renowned distribution house and is responsible for bringing the Iranian films of Abbas Kiarostami to a global audience. Variety, the leading newspaper of the US film industry, called MATIR MOINA an, "accomplished, emotionally involving film-an intimately observed story of divisions within a family that reflect the wider clash between moderate and extremist views."

In an interview with the Daily Star, Tareque Masud said, "(it is) a good opportunity to project a different image of Bangladesh. I hope that the film's selection will also inspire my fellow film-makers, particularly the younger generation, to strive for a better cinema and to try to bring our
vision of our rich culture and heritage to the rest of the world."

MATIR MOINA provides a nuanced and subtle view of Islam, rather than the stereotypical Islam-bashing of western media. We believe the FCB of Bangladesh has committed a grave error by banning this film. This action will only give ammunition to those who portray Islamic culture as rigid and unyielding. Rather than protecting religious sentiments, the ban will only stifle open discussion and progressive change. We urge the FCB to reconsider their decision and give the film the censorship clearance necessary for its domestic release in Bangladesh.

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Photo credit:
Tareque and Catherine Masud

Petition Created by Naeem Mohaiemen