Ekatoorer Jishu (Jesus'71): A great cinematic tale reminding us of the secular spirit of the Liberation War

Ekatoorer Jishu ( Jesus'71 ) is one of the great war films that depicts the atrocities of the Pakistani military unleashed on Bangladeshis during the Liberation War. 

Based on a story with the same name, by Shahriar Kabir, the film is directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff.

The story of the film revolves around a small church in a village and their everyday struggles to survive the war. 

The cast of the film includes Humayun Faridi, Sharmilee Florence Gaines, Abul Khair, Zahir Uddin Piar, and Shahiduzzaman, among others. 

Throughout the film, peaceful messages of Christianity and Jesus are conveyed through dialogues.  Humayun Faridi who play Desmond, the caretaker of the church, beautifully delivered his  monologues on verses from the Holy Bible. Sacred Christianity is perfectly conveyed in the scenes where Faridi prays to God alone in the Church, with a candle in hand. 

Powerhouse actor Humayun Faridi gave one of the best performances of his career in this film. The film bagged National Film Awards for Best Dialogue. The dialogue gives hope and life lessons to deal with adversity in the darkest of times.

Pijush Bandyopadhyay plays the priest. His character stands as a "father figure" who tries to protect the sisters and everybody else of the church. 

In that village, the Pakistani army kills the freedom fighters the way Jesus was crucified. That scene from the film reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus who gave his life for mankind and humanity. 

Baby Islam was the cinematographer of Ekatoorer Jishu ( Jesus'71). His brilliant camera work creates the fear element that existed for people throughout the war. Camera angles and framing were excellent in the film. 

The last scene of the film is one of the best cinematic moments in the history of Bangla cinema. When the freedom fighters walk towards the church it gives us the feeling of a free, secular, and   independent Bangladesh which has a bright future ahead. 

Nazrul Islam edited the film while Shimul Yousuf was responsible for the background music. Music played a great role for this to be an almost perfect movie.

Ekatoorer Jishu ( Jesus'71 ) was released on  June 13 in 1993.