Bangladesh selects award-winning feature debut from writer-director Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry Polly (wrestler) Nominated for the 2025 Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category. The film won the New Trend Award at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival and received enthusiastic praise from film critics at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June.
The film tells the story of an eccentric fisherman determined to defeat the current local champion in Polihra wrestling, a traditional form of wrestling in Chittagong, Bangladesh’s second largest city. Set in a remote coastal village in the late 1990s, the story weaves together local myths about dervishes (Sufis), mahisawar (fish knights) and mysterious creatures believed to be angels in disguise.
Chaudhry said in a director’s statement: “One of the most important elements of the film is the mysterious nature of the coastal area. Unlike popular wrestling, ‘Boli Khela’ is rather slow-paced and focuses more on technique and patience.” they are Blending mysticism with popular discourse.
The film stars Nasir Uddin Khan, Angel Noor and AKM Itmam and Priyam Archi.There is no ground under your feetlast year’s Oscar nominee from Bangladesh). It is produced by Piplu R. Khan.
Chowdhury lives in Toronto and received a graduate degree in film production from Centenary College. Before they areDuring this time, he wrote, directed and produced three short films: teeth (2016), Dhaka 2.00 (2017) and Rowen (2018).
Bangladesh has been submitting films to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film since 2002, but the country has yet to receive a nomination.
The shortlist of contenders for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on December 17.
