PRESS RELEASE – Film ‘’ (Struggle) 18.04.2019

A historic moment in cinema is set to take place tomorrow, Friday the 19th of April as the first film written, directed and produced by a British Bangladeshi will to be released nationally.

‘Shongram’ (struggle)is a romantic drama set during the 1971 liberation struggle, starring multi award winning actor Anupam Kher (Silver Linings Playbook, New Amsterdam), Asia Argento (Triple X - starring Vin Diesel) alongside talented Bangladeshi artists Dilruba Yasmeen Ruhee and Amaan Reza.

A young Karim and Asha fall in love in the most testing of times. This becomes a complicated relationship, as Karim is a Muslim boy and Asha is a Hindu girl. Karim is soon forced to go underground and join a small band of freedom fighters. He must play his role for the cause before he can finally search for the love of his life.

Film maker made the film in search of his roots and to share the story of the violent and painful birth of Bangladesh. After a successful festival run including the Indian Film Festival, Kolkata International Film Festivaland the ' East End Film Festival, Ali makes a very important leap of getting his film in to theatres, a struggle most British film makers still face.

The premiere of the film took place on Tuesday the 16th of April on the iconic HQS Wellington, where former freedom fighters attended as well as dignitaries and the stars of the film.

"On film we know quite a bit about the First and Second World War, to the Vietnam and Gulf Wars but very little, if any, about the Bangladesh Liberation War, especially as it is a direct result of Britain leaving India twenty four years earlier and most importantly it shows British Bangladeshi struggle as a nation and a global diaspora,” says film maker Munsur Ali.

The film is also a voice for the Bangladeshi nation who is often overshadowed by it’s nuclear power neighbours, India and Pakistan. The film is multi-lingual to maintain authenticity, in English, and Bengali with English subtitles.

A trailer can be viewed on our website:Web: www.shongram.com For all queries, please contact us at the details below.

Email: [email protected] Film Maker, Munsur Ali: [email protected] mobile: 07930600325 PRESS RELEASE – Film ‘Shongram’ (Struggle) 18.04.2019

NOTES:

Munsur was born in Bangladesh and arrived to the UK at the age of two. He grew up in East London, witnessing first-hand the social, economical and political change. He went to a Church of school, while after school hours he studied and Bangla. He also taught himself to speak in Urdu.

Munsur graduated with honours in ‘B.A. Film and TV Production’ in 2004 and set up his film production company a year earlier whilst still studying. Since then he has worked alongside global US, UK and Bollywood names and produced promos to docu-films highlighting social issues.