The pride of Noakhali: Al Amin’s meteoric rise to Cannes

Who could have ever imagined a boy making it to Cannes from the narrow, winding lanes in the outskirts of Noakhali? Certainly not Al Amin, not even in his wildest dreams. Nevertheless, that dream has now become a reality. "Ali", the short film directed by Adnan Al Rajeev, has received a Special Mention at the prestigious 78th Cannes Film Festival.

Since Saturday, "Ali" has been on everyone's radar, celebrated for making history in the Bangladeshi film industry. With his deeply moving portrayal of the titular character, Al Amin is still trying to take it all in.

Al Amin with Adnan Al Rajeev

"I never even thought I'd act," he confessed, "And now the opportunity of attending Cannes still feels like a dream."

The journey, he says, came out of nowhere, completely unplanned. Hailing from Bashirhat in Companiganj, Noakhali, Al Amin is a third-year BSS student at Govt Mujib College.

While returning to Paris by train from Cannes, Al Amin reflected on the extraordinary path that took him from the quiet corners of rural Bangladesh to the glitz and grandeur of one of the world's most revered film festivals.

For the role of Ali, director Adnan Al Rajeev had been searching for a certain kind of presence — an innocent face, someone with long hair and eyes expressive enough to speak volumes without uttering a word. "They auditioned around 40 people for the part," Al Amin shared. "But they weren't looking for someone to perform. They wanted someone who could simply be Ali. And they saw that in me."

So, how did they even find him — a complete newcomer with no media background?

"Well, I had auditioned for a few music reality shows," he explained. "I got some attention for singing in dual voices, though I didn't have any formal training. I made it through the initial rounds but was eventually dropped because the others were far more polished."

It was through one of those interviews that the team from "Ali" noticed him. "At first, I thought they were calling me for a YouTube fiction," he admitted. "And I'd already decided I didn't want to do those anymore. But something told me to at least ask who the director was. When I found out it was Adnan Al Rajeev, I was stunned. I called them back immediately and said I'd come to Dhaka for the audition."

"Last Friday, we watched the screening at the Claude Debussy Theatre beside the Festival Palace," Al Amin recounted. "When the film ended, the entire audience stood up and clapped for ten straight minutes. It was overwhelming. I'll never forget it. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I never would've believed that 'Ali' could move people like that. Afterward, people came up to me, took selfies, and told me how much they loved the film."

"Ali" is set in a coastal town, where singing is considered forbidden. A teenage boy, driven by his dreams, secretly enters a singing competition and longs to leave for the city. But beneath the surface lies a haunting mystery.

About the director, he added warmly, "Adnan bhai isn't just a brilliant director — he's a truly kind human being. He never criticises. Even if I wasn't getting something right, he'd say, 'You did well, but I think you can do even better.' That kind of support really gave me confidence."

Although "Ali" marked his very first acting experience, Al Amin believes it won't be his last. "This film gave me a kind of courage I didn't know I had. I now truly believe I can build something with this."

The 23-year-old is full of gratitude for his family's support. "My parents have always stood by me. People in my community might not know what Cannes is, but they know I went to France, and that alone makes them proud."

He was initially nervous about not speaking English fluently. "But I soon realised that language isn't a barrier," he smiled. "At the screening, people from France, Germany, and Japan came up to me and said, 'Your story moved us.' That's one of the greatest rewards I'll ever receive."

When he returns home, Al Amin plans to begin work on a full-length feature film. "It'll be in our language, about our land and our people. I want the boys and girls from our villages to see themselves on screen — to hear their own stories."

At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the Short Film Palme d'Or was awarded to "I'm Glad You're Dead Now" by Tawfeek Barhom — who personally praised Al Amin's performance. "I was overwhelmed when he came up to me and said he loved my work," he recalled while signing off. "It felt surreal."

Al Amin with filmmaker Tawfeek Barhom