Rated: M
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.
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