The most prestigious award in world cinema is the Academy Award, Oscars. Presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), every year this ceremony honours the best films and artistes. The 94th edition of Oscars is going to be held in March next year at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Director Abdullah Mohammad Saad’s second venture and much talked about film titled ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’, is taking part in this event on behalf of Bangladesh. Abdullah Al Maruf, the coordinator of the Oscar submission committee of Bangladesh stated that ‘if all goes well, the movie will be submitted to the Oscar authorities online this week’.
Other films from Bangladesh were also invited to participate in the foreign language film category at the Oscars and the last date was Friday October 15. But this year only one movie from the country was submitted to the Oscar submission committee and that is director Abdullah Mohammad Saad’s film titled 'Rehana Maryam Noor'. So it can be assumed that it is going to the Oscars without any competition.
Regarding the context, the coordinator of the Oscar submission committee of Bangladesh Abdullah Al Maruf, told the media that another film titled ‘Nona Joler Kabbo’ (The Salt in Our Waters) was to be submitted. However, they did not submit their papers as they were not ready. As a result, there is no rival in front of 'Rehana Maryam Noor'.
In order to take part in the Oscars, the movie must be released in theaters, but ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ has only been screened at various festivals so far. Ehsanul Haque Babu, the executive producer of the film said, that it will be released in the country's cinemas next November.
Dhallywood popular Bangladeshi Actor Azmeri Haque Badhon has played the lead role in the film. It has made new history for Bangladesh. It was the first Bangladeshi feature film to feature in the "Un Certain Regard" section of the 74th Cannes Film Festival. Immediately after the screening of the movie, everyone stood up and gave a standing ovation.
'Rehana Maryam Noor' is also taking part in the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (HKAFF). Seven more films will compete with 'Rehana Maryam Noor' in the 'New Talent Award' category of the festival. Besides, there will be two screenings of the movie on November 6 and 13.
Before 'Rehana Maryam Noor', Busan and BFI were nominated at the London Film Festival. Bandhan has played the role of ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ in the film and the actress of the film Azmeri Haque Badhon has scored a nomination in the 14th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in "Best Actress" category for her performance.
Winners of each category will be declared on 11 November at the 14th ASPA Ceremony on Australia's Gold Coast. The programme will be streamed across the globe.
