Representation and Role of Women in the Recent Film Narratives of the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971: A Critical Study

Abstract

The paper deals with the heroic-patriotic roles and daring encounters of women captured in the cinematic tales and narratives during the 9-month long War of Liberation in 1971 in Bangladesh. It focuses on the movies depicting the barbarity meted out inhumanly to the innocent people of Bangladesh and genocide in 1971 and how women sacrificed immeasurably and contributed significantly to the collective efforts for freedom by combating and resisting the West Pakistani brutality and violence in numerous ways,  thus the paper seeks to explore the 1971 Liberation War-based movie productions made in the 90s and in recent times to revisit and relocate the gallant portrayal of women as fundamental and inseparable instrument of resistance that led to our hard-earned victory and independence. The movie narrative and representation of their selfless sacrifice, dominating and undaunted visual presence and performance regenerate and reclaim their roles far removed from the stereotyped gendered status.