Bangladesh has chosen its official submission for the 98th Academy Awards with the powerful drama ‘Barir Naam Shahana’ (‘A House Named Shahana’), marking the first feature film by director Leesa Gazi.
Based on Gazi’s 2011 novella, the film is set in rural Bangladesh during the 1990s and follows Dipa, a young woman forced into a challenging marriage with a widower in England. Facing abuse and societal stigma upon returning to her village as a divorcee, Dipa must confront rigid traditions while pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.
Aanon Siddiqua delivers a standout performance as Dipa, earning critical acclaim as her career-defining role. The ensemble cast includes Lutfur Rahman George, Iresh Zaker, Kazi Ruma, Kamrunnahar Munni, Mugdhota Morshed Wriddhi, Amirul Haque Chowdhury, Naila Azad, Arif Islam, Naimur Rahman Apon, and Jayanto Chattopadhyay.
Produced by Komola Collective and Goopy Bagha Productions Limited, the film premiered at the 2023 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, winning the Film Critics Guild Gender Sensitivity Award. Since then, it has been featured in international festivals, including the London Indian Film Festival, the Dhaka International Film Festival, and the Kolkata People’s Film Festival.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the shortlist for the International Feature Film category on December 16, with the final five nominees revealed on January 22. Bangladesh hopes ‘Barir Naam Shahana’ will make a mark on the global stage and bring recognition to its vibrant cinema.