maketheSWITCH
Around 39,000 Bangladeshis live in Rome, and 140,000 across Italy. Theres clearly an audience for a film like Bangla, even more so if you include anyone whos 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. Its clearly worked wonders, with Bangla an impressive feature debut that offers a multicultural romance with a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek sense of humour. Its the perfect film for a light, fluffy evening at the cinema with your better half...