BANGLA

Italy, 2019, 84 minutes, Colour.

Phaim Bhuiyan, Carlotta Antonelli.

Directed by Phaim Bhuiyan.

The story of refugees from Bangladesh settling in Italy, living in Rome, setting up business there, their children being born there and growing up Bangla-Italians. In fact, this is the kind of story that is more familiar to English-speaking audiences because they are set in London (more stories from Pakistan than Bangladesh).

The star of the show is the writer-director, Phaim Bhiuyan, playing a Bangla character, born in Italy, aged 22, working as a guard in an art gallery (with some amusing scenes of him standing guard, silently, warning people against touching, a signal that sounding when somebody transgresses!). He also plays in a band, has some friends who give him advice, especially one contemplative type from whom he bounces ideas. He has a younger sister who is about to be married, clashes with her brother, questions the wisdom of the marriage, indulges in the preparations with her very busy mother, the father at home, dispensing wisdom and memories. And the wedding itself.

Phaim is awkward in so many of his dealings, especially with women, but encounters a rather forthright Italian woman who is attracted to him, and he, at first tentatively, to her. This involves a visit to her family home, a very brisk Italian family home. But Phaim is uncertain, seeks advice, goes out, is awkward, the Italian girl asking him embarrassing questions about sexuality, his gawking in responding.

With advice, he makes a decision not to see the girl again but she appears, the friendship starts again – and, with hopes that it will lead to a happy future.