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Press Conference on the filmmaking of UFO in Bangladesh

A press conference was oraganized for the filmmaking of "UFO in Bangladesh". This press conference was held on last December 17, 2002 at the VIP lounge of National Press Club, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

PRESS RELEASE

UFO in Bangladesh is a feature film, which will be shot entirely on location in Dhaka’s region, Bangladesh, in October-November 2003.

“We hope that this film will help to give another picture of Bangladesh to the western world”.

The story of the film, written by Masbaul Talukder and Stephanie Batailler, was inspired by Mr. Talukder’s memories of his childhood in his beloved Bangladesh. Mr. Talukder and Stephanie Batailler was co-direct the film.

The aim of the directors is not to show negative aspects of the country. “Bangladesh may be a poor, underdeveloped country but the country is rich in culture, natural beauties and social ties. However, these aspects are unknown from the rest of the world and it is these aspects that we would like to emphasize in our film”.

Not only Bangladesh is assimilated by the western world with poverty and as a country which can only live and survive by foreign help but, also, the country has been misrepresented in the media as a country that supports Muslim Fundamentalist and Terrorist groups.

“We arrived in the country December 2nd and in 2 weeks we have been visiting many places, cities and villages. We went to Comilla, Kachua, Chandpur, Feni, Chittagong … I’ve been meeting maybe hundred of people. I shacked hands with everybody even with very religious persons and in the most isolated villages. For many villagers, I was the first white person that they saw. I am not doing a good propaganda for Bangladesh, I just tell you what is my experience. No one ever looked at me with anger as terrorists, I guess, should. On the contrary, everybody opened their houses and heart. Without restriction, they shared with me their food and, even in poor family houses I was received as an honored guest. And, so many people I’ve met speak better English than I speak Bengali !” Stephanie Batailler

“I would like to encourage filmmakers to come to Bangladesh because it has a large potential in subjects regarding the nature, the culture and the social life. It will help the Bangladesh economy and the international relations. It can develop Tourism, bring foreign currency and bring new technology. It could change the misrepresentation of the country in the western world” Masbaul Talukder.

The Film, UFO in Bangladesh, is a touching simple story of a 10-year-old Bengali boy who decides to create with 4 other friends a joint venture called United Friends Organization (UFO). The boy, Bablu, inspired by a legend, a “Cowboy Egg Story”, told by his grand-mother, will try to make fortune by selling eggs. With his friends, he is building a chicken farm located in the center of the neighborhood, a location that will call all the community’s attention.
In a world of tradition, respect and beauty, Bablu is learning that love, family and friendship are the keys of the real success.

Masbaul Talukder :
After graduating from Centre for the Media Art, New York, Masbaul Talukder has worked for several different television stations in New York. Currently he is working for National Broadcasting Corporation as a broadcast engineer. He is one of the editor for world’s largest rated television show “Today” and he also the President of Embrasure Films.

Stephanie Batailler :
After graduating with a Master’s degree in contemporary history at the Sorbonne in Paris, Stephanie Batailler, French citizen, moved to New York in 1998. There, she graduated with a Certificate in Film Production and created her own film company, Licorne Film Production.