Bangladesh Officially Enters ‘Boli’ for Consideration in Oscars 2025 International Feature Category
Bangladesh has chosen writer-director Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury’s acclaimed debut feature Boli (The Wrestler) as its entry for the 2025 Oscars in the best international feature film category. The film received the New Currents prize at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival and garnered praise from critics at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June.
The story revolves around an unconventional fisherman who sets out to defeat the reigning champion in Boli Khela, a traditional wrestling form from Chattogram, Bangladesh. The narrative is set in a remote coastal village in the late 1990s, intertwining local folklore about dervishes, mahi sawars, and mythical beings believed to be angels in disguise.
Chowdhury shared in his director’s statement: “The mystique of the coastal region is a key aspect of this film. Unlike mainstream wrestling, ‘Boli Khela’ emphasizes technique and patience over speed. Boli blends mysticism with contemporary dialogues.”
The cast includes Nasir Uddin Khan, Angel Noor, AKM Itmam, and Priyam Archi (from No Ground Under The Feet, Bangladesh’s previous Oscar submission). Piplu R. Khan served as the producer of the film.
Chowdhury, based in Toronto, holds a postgraduate degree in filmmaking from Centennial College. Before Boli, he wrote, directed, and produced three short films: Teeth (2016), Dhaka 2.00 (2017), and Rowai (2018).
Bangladesh has been submitting films for the Academy Award for best international feature film since 2002, but has yet to receive a nomination.
The shortlist for the 97th Academy Awards’ best international feature contenders will be revealed on Dec. 17. Nominations are set to be announced on Jan. 17, with the winners of the 2025 Academy Awards announced on Sunday, March 2.