Feminist Supernatural Drama 'The Difficult Bride' Reveals Cast as Rubaiyat Hossain Finishes Principal Photography (EXCLUSIVE)

Renowned Bangladeshi filmmaker Rubaiyat Hossain, celebrated for her stories centered on women, has completed principal photography in Dhaka for her upcoming feminist supernatural drama The Difficult Bride. The film features a cast led by three winners of the Bangladesh National Film Awards.

The ensemble includes Rikita Nondine Shimu (known for Venice-selected Once Upon a Time in Calcutta), Azmeri Haque Badhon (Asia Pacific Screen Awards Best Actress for Cannes-selected Rehana), and Sunehrah Binte Kamal (No Dorai). They are joined by Zaineen Karim Chowdhury, a Smith College graduate making her lead acting debut after working as an assistant director.

The story follows Novera, a bride-to-be in contemporary Dhaka, deeply in love with her fianc and dreaming of a perfect wedding, yet secretly struggling with her bodys resistance to the traditional ceremonies. As emotional tension escalates, a mysterious long-haired woman begins appearing in Noveras mind.

Hossain reflected on her cast, saying, These actors made me feel safe to completely open myself. They gave everythingemotionally, spiritually, creatively. I am deeply grateful for their trust and artistry. She added that casting Chowdhury was a huge leap of faith due to her lack of formal acting experience, but praised her for delivering precisely what the role required.

Hossains films have earned international acclaim. Her previous works include Meherjaan (2011), Under Construction (2015), and Made in Bangladesh (2019), which won multiple awards and screened at festivals worldwide.

Describing The Difficult Bride as a film 21 years in the making, Hossain first attempted the project as a short in 2006 and revisited the story repeatedly over two decades. This film has lived with me for half my life. To finally realize it with this cast and team feels like a quiet miracle, she said.

Behind the camera, cinematography is led by Portuguese filmmaker and Golden Bear winner Leonor Teles, known for her recent work Baan (2023). Hossain praised Teles for her emotional sensitivity and intuition that enhanced the film without imposing on its vision.

Production design is by Jonaki Bhattacharya (Venice-winning Labour of Love), and the score is composed by James Williams (Raw, Titane) and Dameer Khan. Badhon, Chowdhury, Khan, and Shimu contributed additional dialogue during filming.

The film was largely shot in Hossains own residence, with a predominantly female crew. Editor Raphalle Martin-Hlger returns from Made in Bangladesh, alongside sound engineer Marie-Clotilde Chery.

The Difficult Bride is produced by Franois dArtemare (France), Anna Katchko (Germany), Pedro Borges (Portugal), Ingrid Lill Hgtun (Norway), and Hossain (Bangladesh), through production companies including Frances Les Films de lAprs-midi, Germanys Tandem Productions, Portugals Midas Filmes, Norways Barentsfilm AS, and Bangladeshs Khona Talkies. The project is supported by Norways Sorfond, Germanys World Cinema Fund, Portugals ICA, Eurimages, and Frances CNC, and previously participated in the Berlinale Co-Production Market.

The film will be presented in the Work-in-Progress program at the Les Arcs Film Festival later this month. Post-production is underway and is expected to finish by March 2026.

Author: Connor Blake