Actress Judith Godreche, a leading figure in France's #MeToo movement, received a standing ovation at the Cesar Awards after calling for the French film industry to "face the truth" about sexual violence. At the Cesar Awards in Paris on Friday, French actress Judith Godreche denounced the French film industry's "level of impunity, denial and privilege" in dealing with allegations of rampant sexual abuse.  A leading figure in France's #MeToo movement, Godreche had been invited to speak at France's version of the Oscars, after actresses alleged they were teenage victims of sexual abuse by directors.  Godreche has accused directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon of sexually assaulting her while she was a teenager.  "Why accept that this art that we love so much, this art that binds us together, is used as a cover for illicit trafficking of young girls?" she said. "We can decide that men accused of rape no longer rule the [French] cinema." "Is it possible that we are able to face the truth?" the actress questioned. "With the same moral strength that we use to be creative, let's have the courage to say out loud what we know quietly," she said.    A #MeToo moment for French cinema   Hours before the award ceremony commenced, France's culture minister Rachida Dati deplored French cinema for  "collectively turning a blind eye for decades" to sexual violence, and hailed Godreche's courage for speaking out.  "This should be the beginning of profound soul searching for French cinema," Dati said in an interview with  the French flim magazine "Le Film Francais." Actress and director Valerie Lemercier, who presided over the ceremony, raised the issue in her opening remarks. "I will not leave this stage without praising those who are shaking up the habits and customs of a very old world where the bodies of some were implicitly at the disposal of the bodies of others," she said. The first award of the night went to Adele Exarchopoulos for best supporting actress in "All Your Faces" in which she plays a victim of incest. Justine Triet, who became just the second woman to win the best director in the award's 49-year-old history, dedicated her win to women who have been abused.  Outside the ceremony's venue, protestors led demonstrations at the call of the national labor union to support victims of sexual violence.  Recent sex abuse allegations Godreche, 51, recently accused Jacquot — 25 years her senior — of raping and abusing her during a six-year-long relationship that started when she was 14. She said the relationship was marred by violence, confinement and control as if she had "joined a cult."  Godreche, 51, has claimed that Doillon, 79, sexually assaulted her when she was a 15 year old actress in a film he directed.  Earlier this month, she filed a formal complaint with prosecutors. Both the directors have denied the allegations.  

‘Succession,’ the HBO series about the cutthroat battle for control of a global business empire, took home six wins for its fourth and final season Media dynasty drama "Succession" earned the prestigious best drama trophy and "The Bear" dominated comedy honours as Hollywood handed out the annual Emmy awards, the top accolades for television. "Succession," the HBO series about the cutthroat battle for control of a global business empire, took home six wins for its fourth and final season. "It was a great sadness to end the show, but it was a great pleasure to do it," creator Jesse Armstrong said.   Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen won acting trophies for their roles as part of the wealthy but miserable Roy family. "The Bear," the story of a fine-dining chef trying to turn around his family's Chicago sandwich shop, also landed six awards, including best comedy series. Star Jeremy Allen White was named best actor in a comedy, and his co-stars Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach won supporting actress and actor, for the first season of the FX network show. "I am so proud, so full of gratitude, to be standing in front of you all," said White, who plays chef Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto. "I love the show so much." Road rage drama "Beef" won best limited series, one of its five awards for the night. Stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong claimed acting trophies. The top TV honours were broadcast live on the Fox broadcast network. The show was postponed from September because of Hollywood labour disputes last year.   Several Black actors won awards at the ceremony, which coincided with the US holiday commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. "Everyone having fun at the chocolate Emmys tonight? We are killing it tonight!" said host and former "Black-ish" star Anthony Anderson.  

Sporting legend and India’s first-ever Olympic medallist in women’s boxing, Mary Kom, has been honoured with the Global Indian Icon of the Year award at the annual UK-India Awards in Windsor, south-eastern England. The 40-year-old former Rajya Sabha member spoke of her 20-year journey of hard work and devoting her life to boxing as she accepted the award from Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami at a gala ceremony on Thursday night. “I have been fighting for 20 years, putting in so much effort, hard work in my life, in boxing, it means a lot… making sacrifice for my country, for my family. I really thank from the bottom of my heart for this recognition,” she said. Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, behind Oscar-nominated ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’ received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the field of cinema across both nations at the awards, organised by India Global Forum (IGF) as part of UK-India Week. The Nehru Centre in London, the cultural wing of the Indian High Commission, won the UK-India Award for Significant Contribution to UK-India Relations. “This is one of the most exciting times to be an Indian in the last many centuries, and India’s growing economy has made many others, including many Westerners, think differently about India. But India’s culture will actually make many others, including many Westerners, think differently period. And it’s our privilege at the Nehru Centre to contribute to the growth and to the popularisation of Indian culture in the West,” said author Amish Tripathi, Director of the Nehru Centre. The awards, now in their fifth year, recognise outstanding contributions of leaders in business, professional services, government, culture and social impact, highlighting their remarkable achievements in strengthening bilateral ties. “These awards are not just about recognising achievements of some outstanding contributors to the UK-India corridor, but also about celebrating the power of collaboration and the limitless potential that lies within our partnership,” said IGF founder and chairman Manoj Ladwa. Spanning across several categories, the UK-India Award for Business Promotion Organisation of the Year was conferred upon the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) UK. Among the other awards were Market Entrant of the Year for startup investment platform CrowdInvest, Consultancy of the Year for SannamS4, Legal Practice of the Year for Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Financial Services Organisation of the Year for ICICI Bank UK Plc.  While Mphasis bagged the Technology Company of the Year, Action Aid UK was named as the Social Impact Project of the Year. Source: eastmojo.com

Andrea Kevichusa from Nagaland and Suman Adhikari from Assam made the Northeast proud by winning awards at the 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023. Andrea won the Best Debut Actors (female category) award for her role as Aido in ‘Anek’ and Suman won awards in two categories – Best Story and Best Screenplay – for the movie Badhaai Do. In her Instagram post, Andrea said “BEYOND grateful!! I had the honour of being awarded the Best Debut Female at the 68th Hyundai @filmfare Awards 2023 for my role as Aido in Anek.” She also thanked all the people involved in the making of the film. “I am indebted to everyone for all the support I have received in this journey,” she stated. Andrea also shared a picture from the Filmfare Awards where she is seen alongside Salman Khan and Maniesh Paul, who hosted the event. She played the role of Aido in the Anubhav Sinha-directed film that featured Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role. The film was released in May last year. Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief minister Y. Patton also took to Twitter to congratulate Andrea Kevichusa. “Happy to know that her hard work and talent have been recognized. I wish her the best for all her future endeavours,” Rio tweeted. Congratulating Andrea Kevichusa and team ‘Anek’, Patton said: “May her (Andrea) journey guide and inspire aspiring artists in our state!” Meanwhile, at this year’s Filmfare Awards, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi and Harshavardhan Kulkarni’s Badhaai Do were among the big winners. Gangubai Kathiawadi won 10 awards, while Badhaai Do received trophies in six different categories. Gangubai Kathiawadi won the Best Director for Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Best Actress for Alia Bhatt. Rajkummar Rao won Best Actor Award for his performance in Badhaai Do. Meanwhile, Tabu and Bhumi Pednekar shared the award for the Best Actress (Critics) for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Badhaai Do respectively. In the critics category, Sanjay Mishra won the Best Actor for his performance in Vadh. Veteran actor Prem Chopra was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

  Swim N Survive Society Kashmir in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Kashmir Friday awarded certificates to around 60 swimmers who successfully completed the swimming and rescue course at the Nigeen Water Sports Center. The swimming and rescue coaching camp began in the month of June this year for non-swimmers. Around 220 people of different age groups attended the camp out of which 60 were trained successfully in the final phase. Valedictory function with Assistant Director Tourism Zeeshan Khan as the chief guest was also attended by Swim N Survive Society, President Syed Shahid Zadie. Source: India Blooms BM

Nine eminent persons and one institution have been named as the recipients of the Independence Awards-2021 for their glorious and successful contribution at the national level. The list of the nominated awardees was announced through a press release of the cabinet division on Sunday. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) is going to get the award as an institution. It is the highest state recognized award. The government has been awarding this award since 1977 on the occasion of Independence Day. The list of the nominated awardees: 1. Late AKM Bazlur Rahman (Independence and Liberation War) 2. Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master (Independence and Liberation War) 3. Late Great Freedom Fighter Brig. Gen. Khurshid Uddin Ahmed (Independence and Liberation War) 4. Late Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu (Independence and Liberation War) 5. Dr. Mrinmoy Guha Niyogi (Science and Technology) 6. Mohadev Saha (Literature) 7. Ataur Rahman (Culture) 8. Gazi Mazharul Anwar (Culture) 9. Professor Dr. M Amzad Hossain (Social Service) 10. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) AH    

The government is going to provide ‘Independence Award-2020’ to nine eminent persons and one institute in recognition to their glorious and outstanding performances at the national level. The information was delivered through a press release of the cabinet division on Thursday. The nominated distinguished persons are: for independence and liberation war- Textile and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, Bir Pratik, late commander (retd) Abdur Rouf, late Muhammad Anwar Pasha and Azizur Rahman; for medicine Professor Dr. Md. Ubaidul Kabir Chowdhury and Professor Dr. AKMA Muktadir, for literature freedom fighter SM Rois Uddin Ahmed and for culture Kalipada Dash and Ferdousi Majumder. Besides, Bharateswari Homes, a boarding school for girls at Mirzapur in Tangail has been named for the awards for its role in education sector. The press release said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the prestigious awards formally at a program at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital at 10 am on March 25 next. AH

The National Film Awards-2017 and 2018 were distributed among the winners at a gala ceremony at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital on Sunday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the awards, the highest recognition to the contribution of artistes in Bangladeshi films, as the chief guest at the BICC this afternoon. Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud presided over the function, while State Minister for Information Dr Md Murad Hassan and Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Ministry Hasanul Haq Inu were present as the special guests. Information Secretary Abdul Malek delivered the welcome address. Earlier on November 7, the names of the recipients of National Film Award 2017 and 2018 were announced in 27 and 28 categories respectively. Eminent film actor ATM Shamsuzzaman and actress Salma Begum Sujata jointly won the lifetime achievement award of 2017 for their contributions to the film industry while actor, producer and director MA Alamgir and actor Prabir Mitra won the lifetime award for 2018. “Dhaka Attack” won the best film award of 2017 while ‘Putro’ won the award for 2018. Badrul Anam Soud has been adjudged the best director for his film “Gohin Baluchar” for 2017 and Mustafizur Rahman Manik won the award for film ‘Jannat’ for 2018. Shakib Khan Rana, better known by his screen name Shakib Khan, and Mahbubul Arefin Shuvo were jointly named the best actor for leading role in film ‘Satta’ and ‘Dhaka Attack’ respectively for 2017. Ferdous Ahmed and Sadik Md Saiman (Saiman Sadik) have been adjudged for best actor for films ‘Putra’ and ‘Jannat’ respectively for 2018. The best actress in leading role award 2017 went to Nusrat Imrose Tisha for film ‘Halda’ while Joya Ahsan won the award for 2018 for her role in film ‘Debi’. The best actor in supporting role award 2017 went to Md Shahadat Hossain for ‘Gahin Baluchar” while Ali Raz won the award for 2018 for ‘Jannat’. The best supporting actress award 2017 jointly went to Subarna Mustafa and Runa Khan for their films ‘Gahin Baluchar’ and ‘Halda’ while Sucharita won the award for 2018 for film ‘Meghkonya’. Zahid Hasan was awarded the best villain in the film “Halda” for 2017 while Sadeq Bachchu won the award for 2018 for film ‘Ektee Cinemar Golpo’. M Farid Ahmed Hajra bagged the best music director’s award for the film ‘Tumi Robe Nirobe’ for 2017 while Emon Saha won the award for film Jannat for 2018. Mahfuz Anam James was adjudged the best male singer for his song “Tor Premete Andho” in the film “Satta” for 2017 while Naimul Islam Ratul won the award for his song “Jodi Dukkho Chhuye” in the film “Putra” for 2018. Mamtaz Begum was adjudged the best female singer for her song “Na Jani Kon Aporadhe” in the film “Satta” for 2017 while the award for 2018 jointly went to Sabina Yasmin for her song “Bhule Man Oviman’ in film ‘Putra’ and Akhi Alamgir for her song ‘Golpo Kothar Oi’ in film ‘Ektee Cinemar Golpo’. In the best documentary category “Bishwa Anginai Amar Ekushey” was awarded the best film, and Bangladesh Television was awarded for it for 2017 while ‘Rajadhiraj Razzak’ was adjudged the best film for 2018 and Faridur Reza Sagar was awarded for it. “Galpo Sangkhepe” was awarded the best short film award, and Bangladesh Film and Television Institute got the awarded for 2018. The best actor (children) for 2018 went to Fahim Muhatasim for the film ‘Puthro’. In the best makeup man category, Md Javed Mian has been awarded for film ‘Dhaka Attack’ in 2017 and Farhad Reza Milan in 2018. The other awardees are Rita Hossain for costume for film ‘Tumi Robe Nirobe’ in 2017, and Sadia Hossain Santu for film ‘Puthro’ in 2018, Ripon Nath for sound recording for film ‘Dhaka Attack’ in 2017 and Azam Babu for film ‘Puthro’ in 2018, Komal Chandra Das for photography for film ‘Gahin Baluchar’ in 2017 and ZH Mintu for film ‘Post Master 71’ in 2018. Uttam Kumar Guha bagged the best art director award for films ‘Gahin Baluchar’ in 2017 and ‘Ekti Chinemar Galop’ in 2018. Md Kalam has been awarded the best editor award for film ‘Dhaka Attack’ in 2017 and Tarique Hossain for film ‘Puthro’ in 2018. Besides, Badrul Alam Soud received the best dialogue writer award for film ‘Gahin Baluchar’ in 2017 and SM Harun-or-Rashid for film ‘Puthro’ in 2018. Shuvashis Majumder Bappa has been awarded as the best musician for film ‘Satta’ in 2017 while Runa Laila for film ‘Ekti Chinemar Galpo’ in 2018. Azad Bulbul bagged the best story writer for film ‘Halda’ in 2017 while Sudipto Sayeed Kahn for film ‘Jannat’ in 2018. Sezul Hossain has been awarded as best lyricist for film ‘Satta’ in 2017 and Kabir Bakul and Julfikar Russel for films ‘Nayak’ and ‘Puthro’ in 2018. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Awards-2019, introduced in memory of eminent scientist and former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Chief Adviser of the Dr Kalam Smriti International Advisory Council Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan handed over the accolade through a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital on Monday. Reports BSS. The award has been conferred upon Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as recognition to her commitment for a close and mutually satisfying India-Bangladesh relations, welfare of her people, particularly women and children, and international peace and cooperation, according to a citation read out in the function. Dedicating the award to the people of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina told the function, “You’ve honoured me which means you’ve honoured the people of Bangladesh.” “This award will certainly inspire me and my government to strive for the achievement of greater inclusive development for my people while bearing in mind the need to ensure the conservation and protection of our natural ecosystems,” she said. The Prime Minister extended her sincere thanks to the organizers for conferring upon her the Dr. Kalam Smriti International Award. The premier congratulated the past recipients of this award in recognition to their work towards attaining sustainable development for their respective countries and for the globe as a whole. The Presidents of the Maldives, Ghana and Mauritius earlier received the prestigious award since its introduction in 2015. Chairperson of the Dr Kalam Smriti International Deena Das read out a citation. The citation reads, “Dr. Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award, instituted in the name of outstanding scientist, visionary, statesman and former President of India Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is presented to Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, an architect of modern Bangladesh rapidly progressing towards being “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal), as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Dr. Abdul Kalam as the President of India and Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh fostered cooperation between India and Bangladesh and worked together for a prosperous world free from poverty, hunger and illiteracy,” it states. “They share a common vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Asia, free of tension, conflicts and terrorism. The common values of freedom from oppression brought the two peoples together in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, which guides us even today,” it reads. It notes that the award is a testimony to the contribution made by Sheikh Hasina to the common good of mankind, which was a cherished dream of Dr. Abdul Kalam, who said: “Dream is not that which we see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.” At the function, the visiting team of the Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Awards presented Kerala traditional saree and ponnada (a piece of cloth) as well as Kalam logo to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Awards is given to honour presidents, statesmen or leaders, who have shown excellence in their field and have shown great vision to achieve the best for their country. Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen was present on the dais. Ministers, advisers, lawmakers and senior Awami League leaders and officials of the Prime Minister’s Office were present on the occasion. AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been chosen for the Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Awards-2019, introduced in memory of aerospace scientist and former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam. The international award will be handed over to the Prime Minister at a ceremony at her office on Monday afternoon, said the Press Wing of the Prime Minister’s Office. Reports UNB. The Prime Minister was honored with the award as recognition of her contribution to establishing historic ties between Bangladesh and India, her dedication to the wellbeing of Bangladeshi people, particularly giving priority to women and children, and her contribution to international peace and cooperation. Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Awards is given to honor presidents, statesmen or leaders, who have shown excellence in their field and have shown great vision to achieve the best for their country. AH