‘The Difficult Bride’ becomes first Bangladeshi feature selected for Venice Film Festival

Bangladeshi filmmaker Rubaiyat Hossain is set to make history as her latest feature, "The Difficult Bride", has been selected for the Orizzonti Competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, marking the first time a feature-length film from Bangladesh has been chosen to compete at the prestigious festival.

The psychological horror film will have its world premiere at the festival, which will be held in Venice, Italy, from September 2 to 12.

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Founded in 1932, the Venice International Film Festival is the world's oldest film festival and one of the most prestigious events in global cinema. Its Orizzonti section is dedicated to recognising emerging cinematic trends, innovative storytelling and new artistic voices.

While Bangladeshi filmmaker Ishtiaque Zico's short film "720 Degrees" was selected for the Orizzonti section in 2010, becoming the first Bangladeshi short to screen at Venice, "The Difficult Bride" is the country's first feature film to earn a place at the festival. Notably, the short was also produced by Khona Talkies, which serves as the Bangladeshi co-producer of Rubaiyat Hossain's latest project.

While Bangladeshi filmmaker Ishtiaque Zico's short film "720 Degrees" was selected for the Orizzonti section in 2010, becoming the first Bangladeshi short to screen at Venice, "The Difficult Bride" is the country's first feature film to earn a place at the festival. Notably, the short was also produced by Khona Talkies, which serves as the Bangladeshi co-producer of Rubaiyat Hossain's latest project.

Set around Mayfair, a historic beauty salon in Dhaka, "The Difficult Bride" follows Zaineen, a young bride-to-be who arrives to prepare for her wedding. As the day unfolds, she becomes entangled in an increasingly unsettling world where beauty, the body, faith, memory and fear collide.

The film stars newcomer Zaineen Chowdhury Karim in the lead role, alongside Rikita Nondine Shimu and Sunerah Kamal in supporting roles. Azmeri Haque Badhan and Dameer Khan make guest appearances, while veteran actors Shatabdi Wadud, Saberi Alam and Mohammed Bari also feature in key roles.

Rubaiyat Hossain, Zaineen Chowdhury Karim, Rikita Nondine Shimu, Sunerah Kamal, Azmeri Haque Badhan and Dameer Khan will attend the film's world premiere in Venice.

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An international co-production, "The Difficult Bride" is produced by France's Les Films de l'Après-Midi in collaboration with Portugal's Midas Filmes, Bangladesh's Khona Talkies, Norway's Barentsfilm and Germany's Tandem Production. International sales are being handled by Films Boutique.