#95 - The World Unseen

Can I just start by saying that I think I love Shamim Sarif? Okay? Alright, I'll say it. I think I love her talent. She is an awesome director. I also love Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth.

I just finished watching The World Unseen and I was very impressed by the overall movie and, once again the two gorgeous actresses. Unlike Sarif's later movie, I Can't Think Straight, this movie is by no means a comedy, in fact, calling it that could not be further from the truth. At times, the movie was gut wrenching and very difficult to watch. The debut of the two actresses was phenomenal. Like in their later film, the chemistry between Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth is undeniable, and their ability to play a range of emotions makes their movies fantastic.

Like I said, the movie is often times very difficult to watch. It takes place in South Africa during the apartheid, where racism and machistmo reign supreme. The main character, Amina, is a free spirit who owns a cafe (which for a woman to do that during this time is pretty impressive). Amina defies gender norms and while not out of the closet, people in the town do talk. She falls in love with Miriam, a housewife who has 3 children, a conservative husband, and just a woman who never really thought she had any options, or the right to think.

The progression of their relationship is well paced and while nothing is really resolved at the end of the film, you are left at peace with the characters. These two women develop wonderfully into stronger women after their experiences, and it was great to once again watch their relationship blossom.

Another topic that is touched upon in this movie is racism. Then again, if you are having a movie take place during apartheid, you are bound to touch on this subject. The relationship between Amina's black friend and the white woman he feel in love with was touching, and heartbreaking to watch. The racism he, along with some of the darker skinned characters faced was both infuriating and terrible to watch. You really felt for all the characters in this movie.

I strongly recommend this movie to anyone who wishes to see it. It's not just a lesbian movie, and it's not just a movie about race. It's a movie about the human condition.

I have loved the two movies directed by Sarif, and I can't wait to see what else she'll come out with.

The World Unseen / I Can't Think Straight

Yay! The World Unseen and I Can't Think Straight were released on DVD in the US on August 15th! Very exciting stuff. Both movies have been written and directed by Shamin Sarif who first wrote the books that were then made into the films. They also star the same actresses which is awesome because come on....they are quite pretty. However, the movies are not a continuation of each other.

Now, I haven't seen either movie, but I've heard really great things from both of them. The World Unseen came out in 2007 and I Can't Think Straight premiered in film festivals in 2008. Sarif has received a lot of praise for both movies, and the trailers make the movies look pretty entertaining. While I don't have the money to buy said movies, I can't wait to ask old Cornell to purchase the copy (might as well put my tuition dollars to good use). Although, I have already asked for The Secrets and Quemar las Naves...hmm, maybe I should use my girlfriend's account (with her permission of course!).

The main reason I'm mostly excited about these couple films is that we are finally seeing some multicultural diversity on the big screen. Most of the movies, save Saving Face, usually do not have a mixed array of cast members, unless they are done abroad (Quemar Las Naves, but even then, that's a gay movie, not a lesbian one), but even then the movies don't really become popular and pretty much sink to oblivion. Hell, even these couple movies were done in England. Regardless however, I think it's really great that we are finally seeing some diversity on a film that doesn't need English subtitles.

I think that's really important because I know of many people, myself included who have used television/movies as a tool to further become comfortable in their own skin and orientation. Be it the L Word, But I'm a Cheerleader! or any of the other movies we have mentioned, they have been priceless tools for the young gay teenager, or at least the young gay teenagers I've talked to. So it's great that now even the minority, young gay teenager can have a movie that we can better relate to.