Film Censorship the act of examining films and removing parts which are considered offensive and unacceptable under government laws, rules and regulations and orders and instructions. In the process, some films may be banned and not permitted for release at all. In Bangladesh, film censorship in effect is an act of according permission to films for release and the process is guided by the Bangladesh Censorship of Film Rules 1977. The basis of these rules is the Cinematography Act 1918, amended and modified by the government of Pakistan and after 1971, by the government of Bangladesh. The aim of the Cinematography Act 1918 was to ensure that films were showed only after a certificate of approval issued by an appropriate authority and to ensure the security of the audience in the cinema halls. Under the provisions of the Act, Film Censor Councils were set up at calcutta, Bombay and Madras in 1920. These councils used to censor the films produced in British India and imported from foreign countries and issued certificates of release. After creation of Pakistan in 1947, Censor Councils were set up at Lahore, Karachi and dhaka. In 1963, the government of Pakistan enacted the Censorship and Film Act and framed the Censorship of Films Rules. Under the provisions of the Rules, the Central Film Censor Board and the Provincial Censor Boards for two provinces of Pakistan were constituted.
After the independence of Bangladesh, the Film Censor Act of 1963 was amended by President's Order No. 41/1972 and the Film Censor Rules were introduced. These Rules were amended by an Ordinance in 1982. In 1977, the Film Censor Rules were set aside and the government framed the Bangladesh Censorship of Film Rules, following which the film censor board was set up in Dhaka.
The Censorship of Films Rules 1977 contain definitions and deal with composition of the Film Censor Board and its tenure and responsibilities, constitution of the Appeal Committee, principles for the examination of films, fees for 35 millimeter and 16 millimeter films, examination of trailers and of films brought by foreign missions, grounds for removal of parts of the films, different kinds of official forms, and exemption of fees for educative films. In the light of the Rules, the ministry of information issued 8 instructions for the examination of films on 16 November1985. The instructions spell out the considerations under which the films shall not be granted certificate of release.
According to the first six instructions, films should not (1) contain anything opposed to the independence of Bangladesh and its integrity, sovereignty, law and order, value systems, social customs and traditions and the country's defense and security forces; (2) instigate enmity between Bangladesh and friendly foreign countries or incite hatred among the nations; (3) hurt the religious beliefs and sentiments of the people or cause communal enmity; (4) incite unethical sinful acts and debauchery, defile the established sense of morality and sanctity or have scenes of nudity, rape, sexual acts, obscene movements of limbs and vulgar dresses, kisses and acts of embracing; (5) have scenes of cruelty, serious oppression, repulsiveness and brutality; (6) show serious criminal activities that incite enthusiasm in the minds of the people, draw sympathy for the criminals and create an impression that such acts are recognised in the society. The seventh instruction says that no copycat film, indigenous or foreign, shall be given a certificate of release. Finally, the eighth instruction says that films which encourage the practice of dowry shall not be given certificate of release.
Between 1972 and 1996, about two hundred indigenous and foreign films have been proscribed in Bangladesh on different grounds. However, the certificate of release was ultimately issued to all the indigenous films. Films titled Agni Pariksha and Bashar Ghar were proscribed on the allegation of copying and Nadir Nam Madhumati and Ammajan were proscribed due to political and social reasons. All these films were later given certificates of release. The permission for the public show of many films was suspended on the allegation that they had obscene 'cut pieces'. But cut scenes inserted in them after the accord of release certificates and such films were confiscated from cinema houses. Later, the suspension was withdrawn under the coverage of special powers. Almost all the proscribed films were of poor standard and reflected perverted tastes. The Film Censor Board however, denied certificates of release to two quality films, Jalsha Ghar of satyajit ray and Jukti Takko Gappo of Rhittik Ghatak, under 'special considerations'. [Anupam Hayat]
After the independence of Bangladesh, the Film Censor Act of 1963 was amended by President's Order No. 41/1972 and the Film Censor Rules were introduced. These Rules were amended by an Ordinance in 1982. In 1977, the Film Censor Rules were set aside and the government framed the Bangladesh Censorship of Film Rules, following which the film censor board was set up in Dhaka.
The Censorship of Films Rules 1977 contain definitions and deal with composition of the Film Censor Board and its tenure and responsibilities, constitution of the Appeal Committee, principles for the examination of films, fees for 35 millimeter and 16 millimeter films, examination of trailers and of films brought by foreign missions, grounds for removal of parts of the films, different kinds of official forms, and exemption of fees for educative films. In the light of the Rules, the ministry of information issued 8 instructions for the examination of films on 16 November1985. The instructions spell out the considerations under which the films shall not be granted certificate of release.
According to the first six instructions, films should not (1) contain anything opposed to the independence of Bangladesh and its integrity, sovereignty, law and order, value systems, social customs and traditions and the country's defense and security forces; (2) instigate enmity between Bangladesh and friendly foreign countries or incite hatred among the nations; (3) hurt the religious beliefs and sentiments of the people or cause communal enmity; (4) incite unethical sinful acts and debauchery, defile the established sense of morality and sanctity or have scenes of nudity, rape, sexual acts, obscene movements of limbs and vulgar dresses, kisses and acts of embracing; (5) have scenes of cruelty, serious oppression, repulsiveness and brutality; (6) show serious criminal activities that incite enthusiasm in the minds of the people, draw sympathy for the criminals and create an impression that such acts are recognised in the society. The seventh instruction says that no copycat film, indigenous or foreign, shall be given a certificate of release. Finally, the eighth instruction says that films which encourage the practice of dowry shall not be given certificate of release.
Between 1972 and 1996, about two hundred indigenous and foreign films have been proscribed in Bangladesh on different grounds. However, the certificate of release was ultimately issued to all the indigenous films. Films titled Agni Pariksha and Bashar Ghar were proscribed on the allegation of copying and Nadir Nam Madhumati and Ammajan were proscribed due to political and social reasons. All these films were later given certificates of release. The permission for the public show of many films was suspended on the allegation that they had obscene 'cut pieces'. But cut scenes inserted in them after the accord of release certificates and such films were confiscated from cinema houses. Later, the suspension was withdrawn under the coverage of special powers. Almost all the proscribed films were of poor standard and reflected perverted tastes. The Film Censor Board however, denied certificates of release to two quality films, Jalsha Ghar of satyajit ray and Jukti Takko Gappo of Rhittik Ghatak, under 'special considerations'. [Anupam Hayat]
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