Alliance Française de Dhaka

L’Alliance s’engage dans la faisabilité de projet à long terme. À la fois en organisant des residences, mais aussi en trouvant des moyens financiers auprès de ses différents partenaires.

 

Alliance Française de Dhaka is dedicated to ensuring the viability of long-term projects through the organization of residencies and the acquisition of financial support from its diverse range of partners.

Song of Jhinuk

“Song of Jhinuk” is an animated feature film to instill hope in children amidst the looming threat of climate change in Bangladesh. The narrative follows the daring journey of a 10-year-old girl as she traverses through time and across oceans to shield her marine companions from a malevolent pollution-induced monster lurking beneath the waves.

 

Born out of a deep concern for the countless reports of marine species washing up on shores worldwide, particularly in Bangladesh’s coastal regions, the project commenced development in 2022. Led by writer-director Afroza Hossain, with Hasib Zuberi Shihan as Producer and Team Platform Ltd. as the production company. In Januaray 2023, this project was awarded winner prize at the second edition of West Meets East Lab, Dhaka International Film Festival under the mentorship of Nina Lath.

 

In September 2023, during a cultural meetup organised by Alliance Française de Dhaka, the writer-director had the honour of presenting her work and aspirations to the esteemed President of France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron. 

Invisible Stories - By Laurie Cannac

Invisible Stories

By Laurie Cannac and a team of Bangladeshi artists

 

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 encompasses 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.

 
Read more
 

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. (Invited only)

 

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.

Made in Puran Dhaka by Ramona and Gale

Artists Ramona and Gale traveled around Puran Dhaka and explores the lives around the river Buriganga to create video art which are integrated in their live performance.

Song of Whales

‘Song of Whales’ is a classic 2D animated short film in production by Afroza Hossain Sara and Team about human greed destroying the environment and the impending catastrophe, as seen through the eyes of a deprived fisherman and nature’s revolt portrayed by a grieving mother whale. Curated by Azizee Fawmi Khan, the narrative is conveyed in the exhibition through a series of incredibly emotional and impactful visual depictions. The entire adaptation becomes an orchestrated, yet singular form of narrative art, with mood boards, concept paintings of the film, and texts to interact with.

 

On January 20, 2023, an exhibition was arranged to raise support for this film at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka. The 4-day showcase of the film’s materials was inaugurated by Her Excellency Marie Masdupuy, French Ambassador to Bangladesh. Prominent visual artist Dilara Begum Jolly and renowned film maker and critic Sadia Khalid Reeti graced the opening ceremony with their speech.

Kathputli

The captivating event titled “Kathputli — Dances and Puppets of Rajasthan” was a collaborative endeavor by Alliance Française de Dhaka and Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, produced by Théâtre en Tête. It featured two compelling stories: one that depicted the vibrant culture, traditions, and the Jaipur Kite Festival of Rajasthan, and another that delved into historical interactions between the Mughal emperor Akbar and the kings of Rajasthan. The event was graced by distinguished guests, including the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Kumar Verma, and the French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marie Masdupuy, underscoring the international significance of this cultural showcase at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Made in Bangladesh

In celebration of World Music Day 2023, a multidisciplinary musical and theatrical performance titled “Made in Bangladesh” by Max Vandervorst of Belgium and Rahul Ananda of Bangladesh was staged on 20 June and 21 June 2023 at the Alliance Française de Dhaka and Ecole Française Internationale de Dhaka. Before the performance, they collaborated on creating a euphonic harmony using parts of rickshaws and bicycles from 10 to 19 June 2023.

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