Mostofa Sarwar Farooki Takes Charge at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs

Celebrated Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has been put in charge of his country’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

In August, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was appointed to lead Bangladesh‘s interim government following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina‘s flight from the country amid mass protests. As it is an interim government, Yunus serves as Chief Advisor, rather than as Prime Minister. Farooki, though effectively the Culture Minister, has the formal title of Cultural Advisor.

Yunus expanded his cabinet on Sunday. Farooki was among those who were sworn in on Sunday evening. He is Bangladesh’s best-known filmmaker internationally. His films have represented Bangladesh at the Oscars three times.

“I was initially hesitating to say yes to this. However since Bangladesh is going through a rebuilding process, one part of my heart was saying ‘Let’s try and see if some changes can be made.’ I was also tempted by the possibility of working with Nobel laureate Professor Yunus who is heading our government right now. So finally I agreed,” Farooki told Variety.

Another factor in Farooki accepting the role was the experience of South Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong, who served as the country’s Minister of Culture and Tourism from 2003-2004.

“Also I took courage from another favorite filmmaker Lee Chang-dong who was a minister too,” Farooki said. “I thought ‘Okay, if he could come back and continue his independent thinking, I can survive too maybe.’ However, to make it clear, in our government system, the Culture Minister can do very little in the film sector. However I will try and see if we still can leave an impact through our multi-disciplinary Shilpokola Academy which is under my ministry.”

The unrest in Bangladesh began in July and centered on demands to end a quota system reserving up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of 1971 independence war veterans. Protesters argued the system is discriminatory and instead seek a merit-based alternative. In response, the then government shut down the internet and deployed armed forces who opened fire on the protestors, killing scores.

The protests then evolved into a broader anti-government movement with demonstrators calling for an end to Hasina’s 15-year rule., leading her to eventually flee the country.

Farooki had described the events to Variety as “amazing” and Monday as the “second independence for Bangladeshi people.” The country had gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. “The most beautiful part of this movement is that people from all walks of life participated, led by Gen Z youth,” Farooki said. “English medium, Bangla medium, Arabic medium, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, all participated in the movement.”

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Farooki had added. “People are enjoying. I hope we move towards a beautiful, democratic society where there is freedom of expression, fair justice for all and no corruption. And where there will be artistic freedom and people can make whatever films they want without barriers and not have to worry from the script stage, ‘Can I show this?’”

Farooki now has the opportunity to make a difference in the sector.