The World Unseen

The World Unseen is a 2007 historical drama film, written and directed by Shamim Sarif, adapted from her own novel. The film is set in 1950s Cape Town, South Africa during the beginning of apartheid. The film stars Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth as two Indian South African women who fall in love in a racist, sexist, and homophobic society.

This article is about the film. For other uses, see The World Unseen (disambiguation).

The World Unseen
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShamim Sarif
Produced byHanan Kattan
Written byShamim Sarif
StarringLisa Ray
Sheetal Sheth
Music byRichard Blackford
CinematographyMichael Downie
Edited byDavid Martin
Distributed byEnlightenment Productions
Regent Releasing
Release date
  • 9 September 2007 (2007-09-09) (Toronto International Film Festival)
Running time
94 minutes
CountrySouth Africa
United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Ray and Sheth also star together in another Shamim Sarif movie, I Can't Think Straight, released in November 2007.

The World Unseen was made with the assistance of the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, which took a minority equity stake in the film.

Synopsis

In 1950s South Africa, a land torn apart by apartheid, Amina epitomizes individuality and freedom. She runs the Location Café, a haven of fun, food, and festivities open to all. Amina defines her own laws and lives on her own terms, undeterred by the reproving police and the disparaging Indian community.

Miriam demurely follows conventions and makes no demands on life. Her world is confined to being a doting mother to her three children and a subservient wife to her chauvinistic husband Omar.

Amina has a covert business partner, Jacob, who is barred from owning a business because the State considers him to be 'coloured'. He is attracted to Madeleine, a local white postmistress, but the indignities and injustices of the prevalent law thwart their desire to pursue a relationship.

Omar's sister Rehmat married a white man, against rules that forbid mixed marriages. When she needs protection from police, Amina shelters her, and her charm and strength of character captivate Miriam, who secretly rejoices when Amina accepts a farming job in her backyard. Amina notices Miriam's inherent kindness and silent dedication, and the mutual attraction between them grows. They bare their hearts to each other and their emotions get entangled. They contrive another reason to meet: driving lessons.

The inescapable social distance between them makes them question their feelings, but, in the midst of hatred and oppression, their only refuge is love.

In the resplendent South African landscape, with retro music strewn in the background, The World Unseen explores Miriam's relationship with Amina and how it empowers her to make personal choices that change her world.

Cast
  • Lisa Ray as Miriam, a wife and mother who has recently immigrated to South Africa.
  • Sheetal Sheth as Amina, a free spirited café owner.
  • Parvin Dabas as Omar, Miriam's chauvinistic and frustrated husband and one of the film's primary antagonists.
  • David Dennis as Jacob, Amina's business partner.
  • Grethe Fox as Madeleine Smith, Jacob's White love interest who runs the local post office.
  • Colin Moss as De Witt, a policeman and one of the film's primary antagonists.
  • Nandana Sen as Rehmat
  • Natalie Becker as Farah, Omar's lover
  • Rajesh Gopie as Sadru
  • Bernard White as Mr. Harjan
  • Avantika Akerkar as Mrs. Harjan
  • Amber Rose Revah as Begum
  • Leonie Casanova as Doris, a waitress at Amina's café shop

Reception

Critics

The film was positively reviewed by the gay and lesbian media, with AfterEllen calling it "one of the best-conceived queer films of the past year – a sincere, beautifully realized vision of love and resistance in an intolerant world."[1] Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 24% rotten rating, with an average score of 4.5, from 25 reviews, with no consensus.[2]

Awards and honours
Awards
Award Category Name Outcome
South African Film and Television Awards 2009[3][4] Best Director Shamim Sarif Won
Best Cinematographer Mike Downie Won
Best Supporting Actor David Dennis Won
Best Supporting Actress Natalie Becker Won
Best Ensemble Cast The World Unseen Won
Best Writing Shamim Sarif Won
Best Editor Ronelle Loots, David Martin Won
Best Production Designer Tanya van Tonder Won
Best Costume Designer Danielle Knox Won
Best Make Up/Hair Stylist Caera O'Shaughneey Won
Best Sound Designer Barry Donnelly Won
Phoenix International Film Festival[5] World Cinema Best Director Shamim Sarif Won
Clip Film Festival, USA[5] Best Director, Feature Shamim Sarif Won
Grand Canarias G&L International Film Festival[5] Best Actress Sheetal Sheth Won
Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival[5] Audience Award, Best Feature The World Unseen Won
Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival[5] Best Debut Feature The World Unseen Won
Paris Lesbian and Feminist Film Festival[5] Audience Award, Best Feature The World Unseen Won
Dallas OUT TAKES Best Actress Sheetal Sheth Won
Verzaubert - International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival[5] Silver Medal The World Unseen Won
Best Picture The World Unseen Nominated
Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Audience Award for Best Film The World Unseen Won
Best Director Shamim Sarif Won

See also

References

[6]

  1. "Review of "The World Unseen" - AfterEllen". AfterEllen. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  2. "Rotten Tomatoes". Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  3. "Nominees List 2009". nfvf.co.za. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  4. "3rd Annual SAFTA Awards, TVSA". tvsa.co.za. Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  5. "The World Unseen - Awards". enlightenment-productions.com. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  6. 6TH PRODUCERS LAB TORONTO JUST KICKED OFF
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