The World Unseen Reviews

An interesting movie! Set in 1950's South Africa, Miriam and Amina meet, and are instantly intrigued by each other. Miriam is a housewife, and a mother of three children. She abides her husband's every wish, and conforms herself to the upholding of her home. Dealing with her husband's adulterous affair with her sister-in-law, she finds motivation in taking risks and learning to do things on her own. Amina is unmarried, and runs a store with her business partner, Jacob. Carefree and independent, Amina tends to tempt the boundaries of the law. Indifferent to the opinions of others in the Indian community, Amina wishes only to live life the way that she seeks to. The personalities that mark each individual enables, and draws, them together.
Great cast- Sheetal Sheth, Lisa Ray, Parvin Dabas, Nandana Sen, Nathalie Becker, David Dennis, Grethe Fox, Colin Moss, and Roderick Priestley. Worthy!

Beautiful directorial debut with great (and stunning!) lead actresses. Unfortunately too concerned with conveying as much of the book as possible, the transition from the great novel to the screen wasn't entirely successful in terms of storytelling. The cinematography and cast is very good, and for a first film this is extremely well done. Overall a heartfelt narrative set in Apartheid South Africa, centered around a tender lesbian romance, but also filled with interesting glimpses into Apartheid realities. I just discovered that "I can't think straight" was actually shot before this, so ignore the part about the debut... Two very good films in a row, kudos to Shamim Sarif.

Interesting movie. Very good cinematography and background music. The romance itself is touching but the way the movie portrays the impact of Apartheid on South Africans is heartbreaking.

[INSERT MY REVIEW OF 'I CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT'] This does have more to say though, and I liked that. Plus, the guy who played Jacob (how bad is it that I didn't find his name before I wrote this? Thats's so lazy, hang on, I really liked him, I feel obligated to go to the trouble of finding out his name. *pause for Googling* David Dennis, that's the chap) was great. Such feeling in parts. Lisa Ray is just delicious. And, well, see my review of I can't think straight (except this has more to say).