Apr. 24, 2019|Bangladesh|83 Min.|R
Genre: Bangla;Drama;Thriller
Description: **Saturday Afternoon – A Summary**
“Saturday Afternoon” is a political thriller film co-produced by Bangladesh, Germany, and Russia, directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. Released in 2019, the film is shot in a single take and draws inspiration from the tragic Dhaka attack in July 2016. It premiered at the Moscow International Film Festival in 2019 and received approval for release in Bangladesh after four years of scrutiny.
Set during Ramadan, the film depicts a seemingly peaceful Saturday afternoon turned chaotic as terrorists seize a café, taking hostages, including customers and employees. As the police surround the building, negotiations begin, while the terrorists reinforce their position with gas cylinders. The film highlights the brutal treatment of various groups, including foreigners, women, and Muslims of differing sects, amidst a backdrop of escalating violence. The media’s sensational coverage heightens the tension, showing little regard for the hostages’ safety as each execution intensifies the horror.
Following its premiere, “Saturday Afternoon” was showcased at several international film festivals, including the Sydney Film Festival, Filmfest München, the London Indian Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival, among others. However, it faced a ban in Bangladesh due to concerns that it could tarnish the country’s image following the real-life events it portrays.
Cast director: Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Cast actor: Parambrata Chatterjee, Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Selina Black, Zahid Hasan, Intekhab Dinar, Iresh Zaker, Manoj Kumar Pramanik, Ellie Poussot, Nader Chowdhury, Eyad Hourani
Original name: শনিবার বিকেল