“Barir Naam Shahana”, Bangladesh’s submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, will soon be available on OTT platform iScreen. However, the streaming date has not yet been announced.
The film is the directorial debut of Leesa Gazi. Though it was selected as Bangladesh’s entry for the international feature film category at the Oscars, it did not receive a nomination.
Adapted from Gazi’s 2011 novel, the film is set in rural Bangladesh during the 1990s and centres on Dipa, a young woman who is married off to a widower living in England.
After enduring abuse in the marriage, Dipa divorces her husband and returns home.
She then begins working towards her ambition of becoming a doctor while challenging the patriarchal values surrounding her. The story follows her struggle to build an independent life despite social and personal obstacles.
Produced by Komola Collective and Goopy Bagha Productions Limited, the film stars Aanon Siddiqua as Dipa.
The cast also features Lutfur Rahman George, Iresh Zaker, Kazi Ruma, Kamrun Nahar Munni, Mugdhota Morshed Riddhi, Amirul Haque Chowdhury, Naila Azad, Arif Islam, Naimur Rahman Apon and Jayanta Chattopadhyay.
