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Initially created in 2023, director Nuhash Humayun helmed a four-episode horror anthology titled Pett Kata Shaw for a Bangladeshi streaming service. Those four episodes were combined into one movie for an international release, and now the same has been done for Humayun’s follow-up, “Dui Shaw.” This sequel has a bigger budget, but along with its more impressive production value, it’s also a step up in terms of its storytelling. Humayun has also added a more political edge to his stories here, which take on the thorny subjects of South Asia’s well-documented divisions along class, religious, and gender lines that can be seen at its screening for the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival.

Dui Shaw is screening at Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival

In the first segment, “Prayer Time,” after robbing a temple, a group of shady college students, Jahangir (Abdullah Al Sentu), Kaysar (Rizvi Rizu Chowdhury), Raju (Allen Shubhro...

As a storyteller it is vital to not repeat. After his series “Pett Kata Shaw”, director Nuhash Humayun explained he wanted to explore new stories in his new project, again blending modern approaches with Indian folklore and myths. Considering his short feature “Moshari” was produced by director Jordan Peele and actor Riz Ahmed, it is perhaps only a matter of time before he will aim for international audiences. However, “Dui Shaw”, as his new series is named, delves even deeper into folklore while also looking at themes of Bangladeshi politics and society. As Iffla 2025 screens the first two episodes of the series, “Waqt” and “Bhaggo Bhalo”, this review may also be considered a first look.

In “Waqt” we meet four men, Raju (Allen Shubhro), Kaysar (Rizvi Rizu Chowdhury), Jahangir (Abdullah Al Sentu), Jashim (Rafayatullah Sohan) and Altaf (Refat Hasan Saikat). In order to make a bit of cash, they have...