Nuri Bilge Ceylan attends ‘Nirvana’ screening at Euro-Asia Film Festival

The 17th Euro-Asia International Film Festival is underway in Kazakhstan, bringing together cinematic gems from around the world, including Bangladesh's "Nirvana" — the directorial debut of filmmaker Asif Islam. 

On Monday (November 25), the spotlight turned to the Bangladeshi film as renowned Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan, celebrated for his Palme d'Or-winning work "Winter Sleep," attended its screening. The Turkish director is notably serving as the jury head at the festival.

Nuri Bilge Ceylan, a towering figure in world cinema, is admired for directing films like "Winter Sleep," "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia," and "Three Monkeys" — all of which have captivated audiences worldwide.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Asif Islam, like many cinephiles, holds immense admiration for the legendary Nuri Bilge Ceylan. After the screening of "Nirvana," Asif took to social media to share a heartfelt moment, a photo of himself with the celebrated filmmaker.

In his post, Asif revealed that presenting "Nirvana" in front of a director of Nuri's calibre was nerve-wracking. However, those nerves quickly turned into a surreal experience when Nuri approached him after the screening, shook his hand, and offered his congratulations. "It's an honour I'll never forget," Asif wrote.

Before making its mark at the Euro-Asia International Film Festival, "Nirvana" had already garnered international recognition by winning the Jury Prize at the Moscow International Film Festival. 

However, the journey didn't end there. Just a few weeks ago, Asif Islam's directorial debut also received an accolade at the Ganges-sur-Seine International Film Festival in France, solidifying its global appeal.

The film stars Priyam Archi in the lead role, with stellar supporting performances by Fatema Tuz Johra Eva, Imran Mahathir, and a talented ensemble cast.

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Bangladeshi silent film ‘Nirvana’ selected for Eurasia int’l film fest

Audiences in Bangladesh can look forward to experiencing "Nirvana" on the big screen when it premieres locally next year.