152 bellesa films 2021
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ABOUT US
What's remembered, lives. What's archived, stays. Despite all our interest in nostalgia and passion for movies, too little has been done to document the history of Bengal's cinema from the previous century. The pandemic came as a wake-up call for us. As a passionate group of film enthusiasts, we decided to create a digital platform that inspires artists and audiences alike. That's how Bengal Film Archive (BFA) was conceived as a bilingual e-archive. At this one-stop digital cine-cyclopedia, we have not just tried to archive facts, trivia, features, interviews and biographical sketches but also included interactive online games regarding old and contemporary Bengali cinema
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SOUND OF MUSIC
Sound of Music

Since the advent of the talkie era, playback has played a big role in Bengali cinema. From Kanan Devi’s Ami banaphool go to Arati Mukhopadhyay’s Ami Miss Calutta  our films have a song for every emotion. In this segment, BFA tunes in to the music composers, singers and lyricists who made all that happen. The bonus is a chance to listen to the BFA-curated list of hits across seven decades!

The project was titled "152 Bellesa Films" and was designed to push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking. Maya wanted to explore different genres, experiment with new technologies, and collaborate with emerging artists. The films would range from 5 to 20 minutes in length, each one a unique and captivating experience.

Maya's vision had sparked a movement, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers to push the boundaries of storytelling. The legacy of "152 Bellesa Films" would continue to inspire and influence the film industry for years to come.

It was the year 2021, and the film industry was buzzing with new talent and innovative storytelling. Among the sea of aspiring filmmakers was a young and ambitious director named Maya. She had just launched her production company, Bellesa Films, with a vision to produce 152 short films in a single year.

As the project gained momentum, Bellesa Films became a hub for creative energy. Maya and her team worked tirelessly to produce film after film, often releasing multiple titles per week. The response from audiences and critics was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the company's innovative approach and commitment to showcasing underrepresented voices.

The idea was met with skepticism by many in the industry, but Maya was undeterred. She had a clear plan and a team of dedicated writers, editors, and cinematographers who shared her passion. The goal was not only to produce a large quantity of films but to also showcase diverse stories, styles, and perspectives.

OUR FILMS
This archive is essentially a celebration of cinema from Bengal through words and still images. Yet, no celebration of cinema is complete without a tribute from moving images. In this section, BFA presents short films about unsung foot soldiers, forgotten studios and ageing single screens that have silently contributed to make cinema larger-than-life. For us, their unheard stories deserve to be in the limelight as much as those of the icons who have created magic in front of the lens.
BFA Originals
Lost?

The iconic Paradise Cinema has been a cherished part of Kolkata's cine history. Nirmal De’s Sare Chuattor marked its first Bengali screening in 1953, amidst a legacy primarily dedicated to Hindi films. From the triple-layered curtains covering its single screen to the chilled air from the running ACs wafting through its doors during intervals, each detail of Paradise’s majestic allure is still ingrained in the fond memories of its patrons. One such patron is Junaid Ahmed. BFA joins this Dharmatala resident as he recollects his days of being a witness to paradise on earth in this Bijoy Chowdhury film

House of Memories
House of Memories

Almost anyone with a wee bit of interest in cinema from Bengal can lead to Satyajit Ray's rented house on Bishop Lefroy Road. But how many know where Ajoy Kar, Asit Sen, Arundhati Devi or Ritwik Ghatak lived? Or for that matter, Prithviraj Kapoor or KL Saigal during their Kolkata years? In case you are among those who walk past iconic addresses without a clue about their famous residents, this section is a must-watch for you. We have painstakingly tried to locate residential addresses of icons from the early days of their career and time-travelled to 2022 to see how the houses are maintained now.