Bangla

Rated: MBangla

Directed by: Phaim Bhuiyan

Screenplay by: Phaim Bhuiyan, Picciarelli Vanessa

Produced by: Domenico Procacci, Annamaria Morelli

Starring: Carlotta Antonelli, Phaim Bhuiyan, Nasima Akhter

Winner of the Nastro d’Argento for Best Comedy 2019

Winner of Best First Feature, Golden Globes Italy, 2019

Italian and Bengali with English subtitles

The national language, Bengali, is the only official language of Bangladesh according to the third article of the Constitution of Bangladesh.

Phaim (Phaim Bhuiyan) is a twenty-two-year old born in Italy but his parents are still expecting him to behave like a Bangledeshi Muslim meaning: no pork, no alcohol and no sex before marriage.

So while perving at underwear adverts and trying not to look but really looking at a couple pashing on the bus, all he can do is ask, how much punishment is he in for by just thinking about getting it on before marriage?

When he meets the wild and beautiful blue-haired Asia (Carlotta Antonelli), what’s he supposed to do when kissing Asia feels like a compulsion?  Like resisting is fighting against gravity?

Yeah, OK, sounds a bit familiar, the culture clash and expected romance…But director and star, Phaim Bhuiyan has gotten the tone just right with this Italian rom-com.

Rather than dwelling on the obvious, Bangla is more about the conversations Phaim has with himself and the camera.

We also get funny moments as the film addresses Phaim living in Rome in the multiethnic Torpignattara neighbourhood, as he works as a museum steward and playing in a band.  The band, of course, playing Bangledeshi favourites.

When discussing the idea of going out with an Italian girl, his mate tells him, ‘Italian girls smell like pork.’

But in the end that feeling Phaim has means, ‘You’re in love.’

‘Cool.’

The straight-forward dialogue of Phaim and Asia when they first meet is classic.

The back-and-forth and instant connection between the two transends the two cultures because of its simplicity.

And it’s sweet seeing the two, arm-in-arm, Phaim edging away until hitting a tree because no matter how attracted he is to this Italian girl, he can’t do anything about it.

But she tries.  While he tries not to.  It works.

And the tone of the film has a lot to do with not just the writing but the spot-on editing and cut from shot to scene with Phiam firmly in control of the film without being selfish with it.

I liked it.  More than I thought I would.

More cool and sweet than romantic and funny – a classic Italian film for release as part of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2019.

#ItalianFF

GoMovieReviews
Natalie Teasdale

I want to share with other movie fans those amazing films that get under your skin and stay with you for days: the scary ones, the funny ones; the ones that get you thinking. With a background in creative writing, photography, psychology and neuroscience, I’ll be focusing on dialogue, what makes a great story, if the film has beautiful creative cinematography, the soundtrack and any movie that successfully scratches the surface of our existence. My aim is to always be searching for that ultimate movie, to share what I’ve found to be interesting (whether it be a great soundtrack, a great director or links to other information of interest) and to give an honest review without too much fluff. BAppSci in Psychology/Psychophysiology; Grad Dip Creative Arts and Post Grad Dip in Creative Writing. Founder of GoMovieReviews.

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Bangla
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Author: Natalie Teasdale

I want to share with other movie fans those amazing films that get under your skin and stay with you for days: the scary ones, the funny ones; the ones that get you thinking. With a background in creative writing, photography, psychology and neuroscience, I’ll be focusing on dialogue, what makes a great story, if the film has beautiful creative cinematography, the soundtrack and any movie that successfully scratches the surface of our existence. My aim is to always be searching for that ultimate movie, to share what I’ve found to be interesting (whether it be a great soundtrack, a great director or links to other information of interest) and to give an honest review without too much fluff. BAppSci in Psychology/Psychophysiology; Grad Dip Creative Arts and Post Grad Dip in Creative Writing. Founder of GoMovieReviews.

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