Phaim (Phaim Bhuiyan) is a 22-year-old Muslim of Bangladeshi origin, who lives with his family in Rome’s multiethnic Torpignattara neighborhood and works as a museum steward. One night at a concert for his band, he meets Asia (Carlotta Antonelli), a free-spirited Italian girl who is his exact opposite. The attraction between them is immediate, and Phaim will have to figure out how to reconcile his burgeoning love life with one of the strictest rule of Islam: no sex before marriage.

The largely-autobiographical debut feature from writer, director, and star Phaim Bhuiyan, BANGLA had its world premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival before going on to win Best First Feature at the Italian Golden Globes and Best New Director at the David di Donatello Awards.

“Phaim Bhuiyan’s endearing romcom BANGLA has already been likened to [the] standout hit The Big Sick, and it’s easy to see why.” –Filmuforia

DIRECTED BY PHAIM BHUIYAN
ITALY | 2019 | ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES