Stop Genocide

Stop Genocide
Directed byZahir Raihan
Produced by
  • Bangladesh Chalachitra Shilpi-O-Kushali Swahayak Samity
Narrated byAlamgir Kabir
Edited byDebabrata Sen Gupta
Release date
  • 1971 (1971)
Running time
20 minutes
CountryBangladesh

Stop Genocide is a 1971 documentary film by Bangladeshi filmmaker Zahir Raihan.[1] It is a 20-minute film that documents the killings and atrocities carried out by the Pakistan Army on the people of the then East Pakistan. It also depicts the plight of the refugees and the activities of the Government in exile.

Raihan made his debut in making of documentary films with Stop Genocide.[2]

Raihan started planning for this documentary around April–May in 1971 and soon started making it. Film director Alamgir Kabir helped him. Filmed in June, it was produced in less than a month.

The similarity of this documentary with some of those by Cuban filmmaker Santiago Álvarez indicates Álvarez's influence over Zahir Raihan. Raihan adopted a new technique of film-making of using found video clips and photographs while he was working for this documentary. The film was created using whatever was found in newsreel clips and footage.[3] Raihan made this documentary with an aim to move world opinion against the brutal acts committed by the Pakistan Army.[4] Raihan was a Refugee staying in Kolkata when he made this film.

  1. ^ "The making of Stop Genocide and disappearance of Zahir Raihan". The Daily Star. 19 December 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Celluloid celebrations for 1971 Liberation war anniversary". Daily Excelsior. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  3. ^ Leahy, James (12 December 2002). "Films that Make a Difference… Santiago Alvarez and the Politics of Bengal: Ciclon". Senses of Cinema. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  4. ^ "'Stop Genocide' Depicting the actual massacre". The Daily Star. 16 December 2004. Retrieved 16 November 2011.