Bangla (2019)

Around 39,000 Bangladeshis live in Rome, and 140,000 across Italy. There’s clearly an audience for a film like ‘Bangla’, even more so if you include anyone who’s been involved in a cross-cultural romance. Having a love story with a non-Caucasian lead is a breath of fresh air, and provides representation of everyday Bangladeshis living average lives. “Those who migrate here [to Italy] are busting their asses for providing us with a better future,“ Bhuiyan says. “I felt that commitment, and it gave me motivation.“ It’s clearly worked wonders, with ‘Bangla’ an impressive feature debut that offers a multicultural romance with a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek sense of humour. It’s the perfect film for a light, fluffy evening at the cinema with your better half.

• Charlie David Page

Read Charlie's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-bangla-a-truly-beautiful-mess