Bangladesh makes Venice history with 'The Difficult Bride'

Bangladeshi filmmaker Rubaiyat Hossain's feature film 'The Difficult Bride' has been selected for the Orizzonti Competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, marking a historic milestone as the first full-length Bangladeshi film to compete in an official competition section at the prestigious festival.

The film is set to have its world premiere on September 2 at this year's Venice Film Festival, one of the world's most celebrated cinema events. While Ishtiaq Zico's short film 720 Degrees was screened at Venice in 2010, The Difficult Bride is the first Bangladeshi feature to earn a place in the festival's competitive lineup.

Rubaiyat Hossain has spent nearly two decades developing the project. Initially conceived as a short film in 2006, the story later evolved into a feature-length production. Over the years, the screenplay was showcased at several international film festivals and secured funding from multiple global film development programmes.

Expressing her excitement, Rubaiyat said representing Bangladesh at one of the world's most prestigious film festivals is a matter of immense pride and the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream. She expressed hope that the achievement would further strengthen the global presence of Bangladeshi cinema.

The Difficult Bride follows the journey of a young woman whose dream is to have a lavish wedding. However, after being diagnosed with a complex medical condition, she embarks on a desperate search for a cure through traditional remedies. As her emotional struggles deepen, she begins to imagine a mysterious long-haired woman she encounters in a beauty salon, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

The film stars Zainin Karim in the lead role, alongside National Film Award-winning actress Azmeri Haque Badhon, Rikita Nandini Shimu, Sunerah Binte Kamal, Shatabdi Wadud, Saberi Alam, and Mohammad Bari in pivotal roles.

Portuguese filmmaker Leonor Teles served as the cinematographer, while the production brought together producers from France, Germany, Portugal and Norway, making the film a significant international co-production.

The selection marks another landmark achievement for Bangladesh's growing independent film industry and places the country's cinema on one of the world's biggest cinematic stages.