A documentary depicting the life and works of the internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi artist Monirul Islam was premiered on Friday at the
Dhaka Art Center in Dhanmondi.
AKM Zakaria’s documentary titled Monirartist@ is a kind of autobiographical sketch narrated by the expatriate artist himself, who has been living in Madrid, Spain since 1969 and has won the Cross of Officer of the Order of Queen Isabella.
The documentary, however, is not just a mere depiction of an internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi artist’s life in abroad. With simple but artistic narratives, the documentary reveals Monirul Islam’s philosophy that the artist upholds in his unique art.
The docu features Monirul Islam’s daily life narratives in Spain including doing household chores and artworks at his residence and public places in Madrid.
But, his day to day narratives appear interesting and unique in AKM Zakaria documentary. Thanks to the tactful cinematography, the magnificent monuments of Madrid City appear as if those were walking along with artist Islam on the beautiful streets in Spain.
The insightful scenes containing Islam’s philosophical journey in search for the meaning of life, earth and cosmos in artworks make the audience enlightened. The viewers at times blast out in laughter when Monirul Islam narrates his relation with several European women and makes comments on his broken marriage life with a Spanish woman.
‘Marriage is like a medicine which expires after 2/3 years,’ narrates Monirul Islam, who at the same time claims himself as an ‘evergreen lover’.
The artist’s friendly relation with his son Arman Islam Ferrer has also been depicted in the documentary.
The artist also explains his continuous experimentations on mediums and compositions to reach the novelty, which always remains something ‘untouched’ in his life.
‘When you think you have made splendid works, the urge of doing even better in you dies. So, it is always better to be thirsty for doing even better,’ narrates Islam in his autobiographical sketch.
Along others, Monirul Islam watched the documentary on the opening day and expressed satisfaction at the making. ‘It’s a good documentation on different aspects of my life,’ artist Monirul Islam told New Age.
Director AKM Zakaria said that his intention was to give the true picture of the expatriate artist’s life.
‘It was a very good show, honest and skillfully done,’ observed noted artist Biren Shome to New Age. ‘I have always been a fan of Monirul Islam works, so the documentary gave me a colose account of my favorite artist,’ said Nusrat Rahman, a university student and also an art enthusiast.
-With New Age input
