Barakat Hossain Polash, an Economics graduate of Dhaka University, was interested in cameras from an early age; he joined the BBC to work with Rashed Zaman as an Assistant Camera Operator. Polash worked and learned all he could from Rashed over the span of two years while carrying out several projects of his own. Later he started working under Kamrul Hasan Khosru. Polash finished his first feature film this year as a cinematographer; the film “Jalal’s Story” was directed by Abu Shahed Emon and has won the Asian Cinema Fund 2014 for post-production in the Busan International Film Festival and competed in the “New Current Cinema” section of the said festival.
1. You are an economics major, what pulled you towards cinematography?
To be frank, I always wanted to study filmmaking, but back then the option wasn’t available, this and the added dogma of society needing me to study something that seems feasible kept me from doing so. However, I do intend to follow my passion for cinematography and I’ve already applied to the Korean National University of Arts for a two-year-long master’s program. I will find out later this month if I’ve been accepted or not.
2. Since you’re an economics major how did you manage to apply and what program do you plan to study?
Since it’s a master’s program, I was asked to submit a portfolio of my work along with my previous experience. I tried applying after finishing my HSC examinations but back then one of the requirements was to have an honors degree.
3. What are your thoughts on doing something of a film apprenticeship program here, perhaps at the FDC?
Right now, apart from Mahfuz sir, there isn’t anyone that dedicated or reliable to learn from. Granted there are others too but after the dark period of the FDC, no university students wanted to study there.
4. It’s been noticed that very few people with degrees have wanted to study filmmaking, what are your thoughts about this?
Speaking from personal experience, when I told my family that I wanted to be a cameraman, I had to struggle a lot to make it happen. Even now I can’t explain what I do properly to my relatives. Nothing to do with filmmaking in our country is socially acceptable. But it doesn’t just stop at filmmaking, this stigma hovers upon most arts and humanities subjects such as Bangla, English, Fine arts, Islamic studies etc. Even in my case, it was only after I proved myself in the world of films did my family start supporting me. The basic idea is that you don’t need an education to do it, even when I was in university, whenever I asked my seniors they used to ask, “What’s the point of studying filmmaking?”
5. It has also been noticed that a minority of the people that want to study filmmaking end up seeing it through to the end, it seems as if there is a major lack of devotion, why do you think that is the case?
Almost everyone wants to be a filmmaker, cinematographer, director etc. But these people have no idea about the knowledge needed to do so and sometimes when they find out that there is a theoretical aspect that one needs to learn, they back out. In regards to devotion, I think it’s because of whom we are, by that I mean we as Bangladeshis are a kind of people who think 70-80% is enough, most of us don’t jump in with both feet and try our best with 100% dedication.
6. You said that there are many technical aspects to cinematography; do you think having a science background supports it?
Yes, it does, but at the same time, it isn’t mandatory. For example, physics will help figure out camera angles, whereas chemistry helps during analog photo and film development. I say having a science background isn’t as important now since everything is digital. However, if you do by chance have a science background then it’s a plus point.
7. What is the difference between educated people going into filmmaking and people working under established filmmakers going into filmmaking?
Being educated takes care of the philosophical aspects of filmmaking, which leaves only the technical aspects; this is something anyone can learn. However, having an ‘eye’ for things depends on the research you do, by research I mean watching as many great films as you can, plus if you are working under someone, they will definitely be able to help with this aspect.
8. A few decades ago, people from Kolkata used to set up huge antennas just so they could watch Bangladeshi TV dramas, but the case has been entirely reversed now, why do you think that is?
The thing is, these Indian TV dramas deal with real-life family crises, something that even Bangladeshis can relate to whereas Bangladeshi directors usually focus on their own personal philosophies and elaborate on that in the shows, they basically use it as a medium for making their own voices heard, and it is rarely relatable to mass audiences. Also, there are too many advertisements. Previously we had advertisements between programs, now we have programs between advertisements.
9. You say our directors don’t cater to their audience, why do you think that is?
This could be because they don’t carry out the necessary research, or they’ve given up trying. Another factor is the fact that we don’t have many TV actors. If you notice Indian TV shows, you’ll see that they have different sets of actors for different programs, whereas we have just one set that keeps getting rotated. I myself have had actors tell me, “Do it quickly, don’t worry about the lighting being wrong, no one notices these on TV”. Its things like these that dishearten directors.
10. Speaking of ads, it has also come to our attention that Pran, the company, has started advertising on Indian TV channels, why do you think this is happening?
To a business like pran, this is simply about value for money and profitability. Like you said, most Bangladeshis prefer watching Indian TV shows, at the same time, these viewers are their target audience. Today Pran is doing it; tomorrow other Bangladeshi brands will start doing the same. This greatly de-motivates Bangladeshi directors; because, not only do they not have viewers, but now they don’t even have sponsors!
Interviewed by Rafi Hossain and
narrated by Waleed K. Rajamiya
News Source: The Daily Star
