Daniel Matthew :
An evening of deep reflection and artistic tribute unfolded in Jackson Heights, New York, on Friday, June 20, as the much-anticipated documentary “Hope Never Dies” made its official premiere. Directed, written, and researched by Shamim Al Amin, a veteran journalist and filmmaker, the 42-minute film revisited the emotional, physical, and societal upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while honoring the extraordinary human spirit that endured it.
Hosted in a packed auditorium, the premiere drew a wide spectrum of guests—from community members to cultural icons and media personalities. The evening began with a powerful rendition of “We Shall Overcome” by rising young performer Alvan Chowdhury, setting a tone of resilience and remembrance that would carry through the night.
The event was formally inaugurated by Asma Ahmad Masood, the legendary Canadian news anchor and media figure, who underscored the importance of preserving collective memory through storytelling. A welcome address was delivered by Mahbub Siddiqui, Founder and CEO of Meta Info Tech (MIT), one of the film’s primary sponsors, who praised the documentary’s mission to highlight unspoken personal and communal stories from one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
Prior to the screening, the official poster for the documentary was unveiled, offering a symbolic prelude to the journey that was to follow. As the lights dimmed and the screen lit up, the audience was drawn into a narrative both intimate and vast—filled with the small triumphs, immense losses, and quiet resilience of everyday New Yorkers during the pandemic’s darkest hours.
Following the screening, a panel of distinguished guests reflected on the film’s impact. Among them were Bir Muktijoddha Tazul Imam, a renowned multidisciplinary artist; Professor Abdus Selim, President of the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies; acclaimed playwright Masum Reza; Dr. Babul Biswas, a theater scholar; and Dr. Shamim Reza, a professor from the University of Dhaka. Their insights added cultural and academic depth to the evening, reminding the audience that art can serve as both documentation and healing.
The discussion was moderated by cultural figure Gopan Saha and featured commentary from Akash Rahman (CEO of Asha Group), Milton Ahmed, Mia Zakir, Nasir Ali Khan Pol, Rubaiya Rahman, and Tofail Chowdhury Liton (CEO of Gree Mechanical Yonkers), among others. A Q&A session allowed attendees to engage directly with the filmmaker and panelists, making the event not only a screening but also a forum for communal dialogue.
The program closed with a soulful performance of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Anandaloke, Mangalaloke…”, leaving many in the audience visibly moved. The song, imbued with themes of hope and spiritual light, provided a fitting conclusion to a night that was as much about collective healing as it was about art.
As guests exited into the streets of Queens, they carried with them not only memories of the pandemic but also a renewed appreciation for the strength that communities found—and continue to find—amid adversity. “Hope Never Dies” offered more than just a look back; it became a quiet yet powerful call to move forward, together.
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