Oct 04, 2024 – Dec 31, 2025
Invisible Stories
By Laurie Cannac and a team of Bangladeshi artists
French puppeteer and director Laurie Cannac, who previously performed several times in Dhaka, has been very inspired by bangladeshi bhut stories for their weird aspects and deep meanings. Created with a wonderfull bangladeshi artistic and technical team, this shows is her tribute to the accuracy of popular wisdom of Bangladesh towards respect to nature, in an ecological tale enlightened by the liveliness, the optimism and deepness of bangladeshi people.
Two scientists, studying the impact of ghosts on everyday life in Dhaka, are well mastering their subject. Until the moment when their subject begins to master them, and throws them into a fantastic trip that will lead them to meet wilderness and wisdom of Sundarbans.
Bangladesh, a country impacted by historical events like the partition of 1947 and the war of 1971, possesses a rich thousand-year-old history that explores the connection between humans and the mystical realm. This heritage is preserved through oral traditions which reflect the present world, historical disruptions, and the fragile unity of Bengali culture.
In her immersive experience in Bangladesh, including workshops, meetings, and the Faim de loup show, Laurie Cannac encountered Bangladeshi stories and artists, deeply moved by their resilient positivity. Inspired by this, she aims to showcase their vitality, humor, and adaptability in a unique production called Invisible Stories. Drawing from the diverse oral traditions that encompass all religious communities, ghost stories, and other supernatural elements, Laurie has formed a team of three versatile actors-dancers-singers to create this multidisciplinary project.
Through a collection of traditional Bengali ghost stories, the artists will reimagine Dhaka, their city-megalopolis, by submerging it in a surreal and dreamlike world. This creative process aims to find explanations for the city’s challenges, such as its notorious traffic, by attributing them to the rural exodus of tree ghosts. The coexistence of the ancient and modern will be portrayed as walls supported by specialized ectoplasm.
Furthermore, the production will allude to historical ghosts, like ghost trains inspired by the tragic passengers of the 1947 convoys. Additionally, the exploration of personal ghosts, intertwined with Jung’s collective unconscious, will add depth to the relationships between the characters. The technical aspects of the production will emphasize the representation of the invisible through various means, including play, movement, objects, and body puppetry.
Please find the details of this project “Invisible Stories” / Projet artistique Histoires Invisibles:
Project “Invisible Stories” 🇬🇧 |
Projet artistique “Histoires Invisibles” 🇫🇷 |
Calendar of the production and activities 2024-2025:
1️⃣ In May 20 – August 20, Actors will rehearse for ‘Invisible Story’ from May 20 to the second week of August 2024 at Al-Alliance Française Gulshan and Dhanmondi center.
2️⃣ From Last week of August 2024, the technical show will take place at Studio Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the last week of August 2024. (not open for audiences)
3️⃣ From September 16 to September 26, the second rehearsal is scheduled for the final show.
4️⃣ In October 04 and 05, to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Alliance Française de Dhaka, “Invisible Stories” will be staged on October 4th and 5th, 2024 at Alliance française de Dhaka.
Show Schedule
🎭 04 October 2024 at 7:00 pm; Venue: Alliance française de Dhaka; Open to all
🎭 05 October 2024 at 7:00 pm; Venue: Alliance française de Dhaka; Open to all
5️⃣ Tour of performance In October and November 2024, there will be a tour all over Bangladesh, mainly in Khulna and Satkhira, and different parts in Dhaka.
6️⃣ In April 2025, there will be a performance in Paris during Bangladeshi Art Week. (yet to be confirmed)
7️⃣ In September 2025, there will be participation in the International Puppet Festival in Charleville-Mézières, France.
Oct 04, 2024 – Oct 18, 2025
Alliance Française de Dhaka celebrates its 65th year anniversary this year.
This milestone represents a true symbol of the enduring collaboration between France and Bangladesh, which began in 1959 and continues to thrive today and into the future. The shared love of culture between our two nations transcends all boundaries and embodies the very best of humanity.
We are preparing a variety of events to celebrate this milestone. Stay with us, enjoy the shows.
If you want to know more about any specific events from below please follow the links here-
1. Invisible Stories
2. Book Launching Ceremony: “Folk Melody of Bangladesh”
3. Orchestration in Bengali song – La chanson bengalie : l’orchestration
4. Art Film Festival by FRANÇOIS LEVY-KUENTZ
5. Bibi Tanga and Eric Kerridge: Concert with Mithun Chakra & Saad Chowdhury
6. First look: Song of Whales (Invited only)
7. Artwork exhibition of Song of Jhinuk – an animation feature film
Oct 11, 2024 – Oct 15, 2024
Art Film Festival by François Lévy-Kuentz
11-12 and 14-15 October 2024
Alliance Française de Dhaka
In celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Alliance Française de Dhaka, we are honored to present an exclusive Art Film Festival featuring the works of the renowned French filmmaker François Lévy-Kuentz. This special event will take place from October 11, 12, 14 and 15 2024 at the Alliance Française de Dhaka. François Lévy-Kuentz has dedicated himself to creating monographs on various artists, including Chagall, Pascin, Calder, Mondrian, Dali, and Buñuel, which have garnered accolades at international festivals. A selection of his notable art films will be showcased at Alliance française de Dhaka, accompanied by question-and-answer sessions with him.
François Lévy-Kuentz is acclaimed for his captivating documentaries that explore the lives and works of some of the greatest artists of the 20th century. His films offer deep insights into the world of modern and contemporary art, blending historical narrative with artistic expression to create a unique viewing experience.
Festival Highlights:
Exclusive Screenings: A selection of Lévy-Kuentz’s most celebrated films will be screened, including documentaries on iconic figures such as Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, and Salvador Dalí.
Interactive Sessions: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions, exploring the intersection of visual arts and filmmaking.
Venue: Screenings and events will be held at the Alliance Française de Dhaka auditorium hall – Nouvelle Vague.
This festival is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of art through the lens of one of France’s most distinguished filmmakers. It is open to all art and film enthusiasts, students, and anyone interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage that this festival aims to celebrate.
Join us in marking this significant milestone for the Alliance Française de Dhaka as we honor the timeless connection between art and cinema. This event is open to everyone, but please be aware that seating is extremely limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Event Schedule:
| 11 October 2024 |
| 16h00 | Salvador Dali, genie tragi-comique (2012) | French language films with English subtitles |  |
Q&A session with François Lévy-Kuentz and Moinuddin Khaled |
| 17h00 | Chagall, à la Russie, aux ânes et aux autres (2003 | French language films with English subtitles |  |
Q&A session with François Lévy-Kuentz and Moinuddin Khaled |
| 12 October 2024 |
| 16h00 | Calder, sculpteur de l’air (2009) | French language films with English subtitles |  |
Q&A session with François Lévy-Kuentz and Moinuddin Khaled |
| 17h00 | Dans l’atelier de Mondrian (2010) | French language films with English subtitles |  |
Q&A session with François Lévy-Kuentz and Moinuddin Khaled |
| 14 October 2024 |
| 16h00 | Nicolas de Staël, la peinture à vif (2023) | French language films with English subtitles |  |
Q&A session with François Lévy-Kuentz |
| 17h00 | La Face cachée de l’art américain (2019) | French language films with English subtitles |  |
Q&A session with François Lévy-Kuentz |
| 15 October 2024 |
| 16h00 | Yves Klein, la revolution bleue (2006) | French language films with English subtitles |  |
Q&A session with François Lévy-Kuentz |
| 17h00 | Pascin l’impudique (2000) | French language films with English subtitles |  |
Q&A session with François Lévy-Kuentz |
