Tara Books

Tara Books A book store in Banani, Dhaka. Browse local & imported books, enjoy tea & coffee. Shop online.

We have some unfortunate news to share regarding our upcoming session.Due to the recent government directive mandating t...
04/04/2026

We have some unfortunate news to share regarding our upcoming session.
Due to the recent government directive mandating the closure of all shopping malls at 6:00 PM (owing to energy import challenges), we are unable to host our Sunday Screenings at the scheduled 7:30 PM slot.
We were truly looking forward to kicking off the April sessions with Under the Shadow, and we deeply apologize for this sudden change and any disappointment it may cause. The safety and compliance of our space remain our priority.
What’s next?
We are currently looking into rescheduling the screening. A new date, time, and potentially a different location will be announced as soon as possible. Please keep an eye on our stories and feed for updates.
Thank you for your patience and for being a part of the Tara Books community. Stay safe! 🕯️📽️
UnderTheShadow

📽️ Sunday Screenings are Back!We are kicking off our April sessions with a haunting masterpiece of modern Iranian cinema...
02/04/2026

📽️ Sunday Screenings are Back!
We are kicking off our April sessions with a haunting masterpiece of modern Iranian cinema: Under the Shadow (2016).
Set in 1980s Tehran during the “War of the Cities,” this film is more than just a supernatural thriller—it’s a claustrophobic look at a mother and daughter trapped between the physical danger of falling bombs and a sinister, invisible presence within their own home.

Shideh, a woman barred from finishing her medical studies due to her political past, is left alone with her young daughter in a crumbling apartment building during the height of the Iran-Iraq War. As the city is evacuated, a missile hits their building but fails to explode. Soon after, a malevolent Djinn begins to haunt them, feeding on their fear and isolation.

Written and directed by Babak Anvari, this film was his directorial debut and earned him a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Anvari draws heavily from his own childhood memories of wartime Tehran, using horror as a metaphor for the stifling psychological pressure of the era.
The film is a vital watch for its portrayal of life under conflict, masterfully capturing the double-edged sword of fear through both the external threat of war and the internal struggle of losing one’s identity. It highlights the profound resilience of women navigating a society in transition while showing how trauma can manifest as folklore and myth when the world outside feels illogical. This narrative depth elevates the story from a standard thriller to a powerful exploration of psychological pressure during wartime.
📅 Date: Sunday, April 5th
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Tara Books, Banani
🛋️ Seating: Cozy floor seating (feel free to bring a cushion!)
🎟️ Entry: Collect your pass at the gate before the show
Join us for an evening of gripping cinema and post-film discussion. See you there!

GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)Sunday, January 25th7:30 PM SharpTarabooks BananiEntry Passes will be available at the gate on the d...
22/01/2026

GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)
Sunday, January 25th
7:30 PM Sharp
Tarabooks Banani
Entry Passes will be available at the gate on the day of the show.
Bill Murray stars as Phil Connors, a cynical and arrogant TV weatherman who finds himself living his worst nightmare: he is trapped in a time loop in the small, snowy town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Forced to relive the same February 2nd over and over again, Phil initially uses the loop for selfish gain and hedonism. However, as the cycles continue, he sinks into despair before eventually realizing that he can use his infinite time to better himself and help those around him. This brilliant comedy evolves into a profound philosophical journey about redemption, the importance of kindness, and what it truly means to live a meaningful life.
The film was directed and co-written by the legendary Harold Ramis, a giant of American comedy. Ramis, who famously collaborated with Bill Murray on classics like Ghostbusters and Caddyshack, brought a unique blend of sharp wit and heart to this project. Under his direction, Groundhog Day became more than just a comedy; it is now considered one of the greatest films of the 1990s and has even entered the English lexicon to describe a repetitive, monotonous situation. Ramis’s work on this film remains a masterclass in how to balance high-concept fantasy with deep, human emotion.
What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same? Join us this Sunday to find out.

THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED (2003)(Chávez: Inside the Coup)Sunday, January 11th7:30 PM SharpTarabooks BananiEnt...
07/01/2026

THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED (2003)
(Chávez: Inside the Coup)
Sunday, January 11th
7:30 PM Sharp
Tarabooks Banani
Entry Passes will be available at the gate on the day of the show.
In April 2002, the world was stunned by news of a coup d’état in Venezuela that briefly removed President Hugo Chávez from power. What makes this documentary unique is that the filmmakers were already inside the Presidential Palace, filming a biography of Chávez, when the coup broke out. The film provides incredible, “fly-on-the-wall” footage of the 48 hours that shook the nation. It explores the “media coup,” showing how private television stations allegedly manipulated footage to trigger the uprising, and how the people eventually took to the streets to demand their leader’s return. It is a gripping, high-stakes look at power, propaganda, and the role of the media in modern revolution.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised was directed by the Irish filmmaking duo Kim Bartley and Donnacha Ó Briain. Originally traveling to Caracas to make a personal profile of Chávez, they unexpectedly found themselves documenting a historical crisis. Their bravery and persistence resulted in a film that won numerous awards, including a Peabody Award and the Grierson Award for Best Documentary on Contemporary Issues. Bartley and Ó Briain are praised for their ability to remain in the thick of the action, delivering a cinematic experience that feels more like a political thriller than a standard documentary.
Don’t miss this chance to see how history is made—and how it is broadcast.

Join us this weekend for a screening of the critically acclaimed masterpiece, Timbuktu, directed by the visionary Abderr...
23/12/2025

Join us this weekend for a screening of the critically acclaimed masterpiece, Timbuktu, directed by the visionary Abderrahmane Sissako.
📅 Date: Sunday, 28th December
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM (Sharp)
🎟️ Entrance: Available at the gate before the show starts.
Timbuktu
Set against the breathtaking dunes of the Malian desert, Timbuktu is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of resistance and the human spirit. The story follows Kidane, a peaceful cattle herder living in the dunes with his family. Their lives are suddenly upended when the city falls under the occupation of foreign jihadists who impose a regime of terror—banning music, laughter, and even football.
What follows is a poetic yet devastating look at how ordinary people maintain their dignity and humanity in the face of oppression.
Abderrahmane Sissako
A titan of African cinema, Mauritanian-born Sissako is celebrated for his ability to tackle heavy political themes with grace and visual lyricism. Timbuktu made history as the first Mauritanian film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, cementing Sissako’s reputation as a storyteller who finds beauty even in the darkest of times.
Come early to grab your spot. We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of powerful cinema and conversation.

🎄 Sunday Screenings: A Holiday Classic with a Twist!Celebrate the festive season at Tarabooks Banani with one of the mos...
17/12/2025

🎄 Sunday Screenings: A Holiday Classic with a Twist!
Celebrate the festive season at Tarabooks Banani with one of the most beloved comedies of the 1980s. This week, we bring you a hilarious tale of fortune and fate:
TRADING PLACES (1983)
🗓️ Show Details
* Date: This Sunday, December 21st
* Time: 7:30 PM Sharp
* Location: Tarabooks Banani
* Entry: Entry Passes will be available at the gate on the day of the show.
📈 The Plot:
What happens when a street-smart hustler and a wealthy commodities broker swap lives?
The story follows Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd), a pompus, successful executive, and Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy), a fast-talking homeless man. Their lives are turned upside down when two bored, billionaire brothers—the Dukes—make a callous one-dollar bet to see if environment or heredity determines a person’s success.
As Winthorpe loses everything and Valentine rises to the top of the social ladder, the two eventually discover they are mere pawns in a cruel game. Joining forces with a savvy woman named Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis), they hatch a brilliant plan to take down the Dukes on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. It’s a sharp, satirical, and riotously funny masterpiece about class and revenge.
📽️ John Landis
Trading Places was directed by John Landis, a legendary figure in American comedy and pop culture.
Landis is known for his unique ability to blend slapstick humor with social satire. He rose to fame with iconic hits like Animal House and The Blues Brothers, and he also directed the ground-breaking music video for Michael Jackson’s Thriller. With Trading Places, Landis perfectly captured the excess of the 80s, creating a film that remains a staple of holiday viewing even four decades later.
Come for the laughs, stay for the classic 80s nostalgia. See you this Sunday!

MEGHER ONEK RONG (1976)This screening will be shown in Bengali only. No English Subtitles will be available. * Date: Thi...
11/12/2025

MEGHER ONEK RONG (1976)

This screening will be shown in Bengali only. No English Subtitles will be available.

* Date: This Sunday, December 14th
* Time: 7:30 PM Sharp
* Location: Tarabooks Banani
* Entry: Entry Passes will be available at the gate on the day of the show.

Megher Onek Rong (The Clouds Have Many Colors) is a powerful and critically acclaimed drama centered on the profound personal sacrifices and emotional scars left by the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The film sensitively portrays the harrowing experiences of war-affected women and children, focusing on themes of trauma, resilience, and the difficult process of rebuilding a life in the newly independent nation. It remains a vital cinematic document that honors the human cost of the fight for freedom.

The film was directed by the celebrated Bangladeshi filmmaker, Harunur Rashid.
For this profound work, Rashid was recognized with the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director (1976). Megher Onek Rong is a historically significant film—it holds the distinction of being the first full-length color feature film based on the Liberation War, securing its place as an essential and timeless piece of Bangladeshi cinema.
We look forward to welcoming you for this important piece of cinematic history.

BRANDED TO KILL (1967)(Koroshi no rakuin) * Date: This Sunday, December 7th * Time: 7:30 PM Sharp * Location: Tarabooks ...
01/12/2025

BRANDED TO KILL (1967)
(Koroshi no rakuin)

* Date: This Sunday, December 7th
* Time: 7:30 PM Sharp
* Location: Tarabooks Banani
* Entry: Entry Passes will be available at the gate on the day of the show.

Dive into the dazzling, chaotic world of 1960s Japanese cinema. The story centers on Goro Hanada, the high-ranking and rice-obsessed “Number 3 Killer” in the Japanese underworld.
After botching a seemingly simple assassination—a mistake attributed to a butterfly landing on his scope—Hanada finds himself targeted by the entire criminal world, including the mythical and deadly “Number 1 Killer.” Fueled by sexual obsession, jazz music, and escalating paranoia, the film descends into a surreal, hyper-stylized nightmare of murder and cinematic rebellion. This is a must-see for fans of non-linear storytelling and high-octane.
Branded to Kill was directed by the audacious and visionary Seijun Suzuki.
Suzuki was a true master stylist who shattered conventional film grammar. His work is characterized by vibrant colors, surreal jump cuts, and an anarchic, rebellious spirit. Branded to Kill was so avant-garde that its studio, Nikkatsu, famously deemed it “incomprehensible” and fired Suzuki soon after its release. Today, the film is rightly regarded as a counter-cultural masterpiece, a pivotal piece of the Japanese New Wave, and a crucial influence on directors worldwide, including Quentin Tarantino and Wong Kar-wai.
Don’t miss the chance to experience the bizarre genius of Seijun Suzuki on the big screen.

BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCKDate: This Sunday, November 30thTime: 7:30 PM SharpLocation: Tarabooks BananiEntry: Entry Passes wi...
27/11/2025

BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK

Date: This Sunday, November 30th

Time: 7:30 PM Sharp

Location: Tarabooks Banani

Entry: Entry Passes will be available at the gate on the day of the show.

📜 A Stranger, A Secret
The film stars the legendary Spencer Tracy as John J. Macreedy, a mysterious one-armed man who steps off a train into the desolate, isolated desert town of Black Rock. Macreedy is searching for a Japanese-American farmer named Komoko.

However, the town is immediately hostile. Led by the menacing Robert Ryan, the locals are fiercely unwelcoming and desperately hiding a terrible, violent secret about Komoko’s disappearance. As Macreedy begins to dig for the truth, he finds himself trapped and in mortal danger, forced into a tense, psychological battle to expose the town’s buried guilt and prejudice.

This gripping film is a powerful fusion of the Western genre and Film Noir, celebrated for its tight pacing and sharp commentary.

Bad Day at Black Rock was directed by John Sturges, a master of suspense and action cinema.

Sturges is celebrated for his ability to craft highly tense thrillers with impeccable ensemble casts. His directorial brilliance is also behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic pictures, including the WWII epic The Great Escape and the legendary Western The Magnificent Seven. Sturges brings his signature craftsmanship and focus on character under pressure to this Academy Award-nominated masterpiece.

Don’t miss this essential piece of cinematic history. See you on Sunday!

Address

Chandiwala Mansion Road-11, House-32 (1st Floor), Block-G, Banani.
Dhaka

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