Ae Fond Kiss ... (film)

Last updated

Ae Fond Kiss…
Ae fond kiss.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ken Loach
Written by Paul Laverty
Produced by Rebecca O'Brien
Starring Atta Yaqub
Eva Birthistle
Cinematography Barry Ackroyd
Edited byJonathan Morris
Music by George Fenton
Distributed by Icon Film Distribution
Release dates
  • 13 February 2004 (2004-02-13)
(Germany)
17 September 2004(United Kingdom)
Running time
104 minutes
CountriesUnited Kingdom
Belgium
Germany
Italy
Spain
LanguagesEnglish
Punjabi
Budget£3 million

Ae Fond Kiss... (also known as Just a Kiss [1] in some countries) is a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Ken Loach, and starring Atta Yaqub and Eva Birthistle. The title is taken from a Scottish song by Robert Burns, the complete line being "Ae Fond Kiss, and then we sever..."

Contents

The film explores the complications which ensue when second-generation Scottish Pakistani Casim (who is Muslim) and Roisin (a Catholic immigrant from Ireland) fall in love.

Plot

The Khan family are originally from Pakistan but have lived in the UK for forty years. Tariq and Sadia have three children: the eldest daughter, Rukhsana, lives strictly according to the Muslim faith and is also ready to enter into the marriage with Amar planned by her parents; she studied and may soon marry Amar, who has a Ph.D. The only son, Casim, is also a qualified accountant, but earns his living as a DJ and hopes to open his own nightclub with his friend Hammid. His parents have planned for him to marry his cousin Jasmine, which will take place in a few weeks. According to his wishes, Casim will continue to live with the family thereafter; his father plans to enlarge his house with an extension with rooms for the future family. The youngest daughter, Tahara, is still in school but dreams of studying journalism. As Rukhsana, Casim and Tahara try to slowly separate from their parents.

When one day Tahara is bullied by her classmates, she angrily chases them throughout school. Casim rushes after her and everyone ends up in the music room of Roisin Hanlon, who gives singing lessons. A guitar breaks in the chaos. The next day, Casim brings Roisin a new guitar and takes Roisin home, where she has to hide in the car from people who might know Casim. Then he arranges for her to transport her piano with friends and finally invites her to go out with him. At the disco, Casim sees his little sister, is upset and sends her home. Casim and Roisin meet up in their apartment and spend the night together.

Roisin, who previously worked part-time as a music teacher at the Catholic school, is offered a full-time position. She could start after the summer holidays and would only have to present a certificate from her parish priest. Roisin, in a good mood, unexpectedly offers Casim a stay of several days in Spain. He tells his family that he has to go to work in London. The days in Spain are harmonious and full of love, but Casim admits to Roisin that according to his parents' wishes, he must marry his cousin. Roisin is hurt because she thinks he only saw her as an adventure. Casim puts forward his feelings for Roisin and decides to cancel the planned wedding, even if it endangers the peace of the family. Back in Glasgow, Rukhsana tells him that she is engaged to Amar. Casim confides in his friend Hammid, who advises him against starting a relationship with Roisin because it would destroy his family. Casim breaks up with Roisin.

Soon after, Casim discovers how his father forbids Tahara from studying journalism in Edinburgh because she is supposed to study in Glasgow like her siblings. Casim half-heartedly takes his parents' side and is called a hypocrite by Tahara. When the latter leaves, Casim takes her side and tells his mother that he will not marry. The same day, he left his parents' apartment and moved in with Hammid. He later meets Roisin by chance in a cafe, but she avoids him. She later finds out from Tahara that Casim will not marry and has moved away. She resumes her relationship with him and now live together.

Shortly before the start of the school year, Roisin wishes to obtain a certificate from the parish priest. The priest refuses because he has learned that Roisin lives with a Muslim and has sexual relations with him outside of marriage. Since Roisin is not divorced, she is still considered a wife by the Catholic Church. Roisin is angry at the priest's narrow-mindedness, but gets the full-time position without explanation, because the warden considers his love affair a private matter. Meanwhile, the Khan family and the community learned about Casim's relationship with Roisin. Family honor is destroyed, leading, among other things, to Amar's family breaking off the engagement. The latter visits Roisin and asks her to leave Casim, which she refuses. Roisin is informed that she is being transferred to a non-denominational school with immediate effect by the school authorities.

When Casim cannot stay with her due to work commitments, she locks him out of their apartment. The next day, Casim tried in vain to contact her by telephone. His mother trying to contact him, and having briefly had Tahara on the line, he drives to his parents' house. Meanwhile, Rukhsana asks Roisin to get into her car because she wants to show him something. She takes them to the family home. There, Roisin sees Casim introduced to a young woman. This is Jasmine, who has arrived in Glasgow. Rukhsana reports to Roisin that the engagement was never broken and Roisin runs away in despair. Casim is outraged that his parents never informed Jasmine's family of his decision and now want to force them to marry. Tahara manages to warn Casim of Roisin's presence and he rushes after her. Tahara now also has the courage to insist on studying in Edinburgh with her father.

Casim searches for Roisin all day and finally finds her at home. She fears he will pack his bags, but he makes her understand that he will stay - until old age.

Cast

Reception

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Ae Fond Kiss received a rating of 88% certifying it as "Fresh", based upon 25 reviews. [2] On Metacritic, the film had an average score of 65 out of 100, based on 7 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [3]

Accolades

Ae Fond Kiss received a number of nominations and awards. [4]

2004

2005

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Dil Se..</i> 1998 Hindi-language romantic thriller film by Mani Ratnam

Dil Se.. is a 1998 Indian Hindi-language romantic thriller film co-written and directed by Mani Ratnam who produced it with Ram Gopal Varma and Shekhar Kapur. Set against the backdrop of Insurgency in Assam, the film stars Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koirala, while Preity Zinta makes her film debut in a supporting role. An example of parallel cinema, it is noted as the final installment in Ratnam's trilogy consisting of Roja (1992) and Bombay (1995). The film's soundtrack album, composed by A. R. Rahman, sold six million units in India.

The 25th London Film Critics Circle Awards, honouring the best in film for 2004, were announced by the London Film Critics Circle on 9 February 2005.

<i>Naukar Biwi Ka</i> 1983 Indian film

Naukar Biwi Ka is a 1983 Hindi comedy film, a remake of the Pakistani Punjabi film Naukar Wohti Da (1974). The film stars Dharmendra, Reena Roy, Raj Babbar, Anita Raj, Kader Khan, Pran and Om Prakash. It was directed by Rajkumar Kohli.

The 7th British Independent Film Awards, held on November 30, 2004 at the Hammersmith Palais, London, honoured the best British independent films of 2004.

<i>The Marquise of O</i> (film) 1976 film by Éric Rohmer

The Marquise of O is a 1976 historical drama film written and directed by Éric Rohmer, based on the 1808 novella of the same name by Heinrich von Kleist. Set in 1799, the film tells the story of the Marquise von O, a virtuous widow, who finds herself pregnant and protests her innocence while possibly deserving to be exiled. The film won the Grand Prix Spécial Prize at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival.

<i>Aarzoo</i> 1999 Indian film

Aarzoo is a 1999 Indian Hindi romantic action film directed by Lawrence D'Souza stars Akshay Kumar, Madhuri Dixit, Saif Ali Khan, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal and Reema Lagoo. The film was primarily filmed in Mumbai, but some scenes were filmed in London and Edinburgh. The film was remade in Bengali Bangladesh as O Priya Tumi Kothay (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eva Birthistle</span> Irish actress and writer

Eva Birthistle is an Irish actress and writer. She is best known for her roles in Bad Sisters and Ae Fond Kiss..., and also starred in The Last Kingdom between 2015 and 2022. She won the London Film Critics Circle British or Irish Actress of the Year Award in 2004, and has twice won the IFTA Best Actress in a Leading Role (Film) award.

Amar te duele is a 2002 Mexican romantic drama film written by Carolina Rivera and directed by Fernando Sariñana. In the story, two families hate each other because they belong to different social classes. This movie offers various archetypes of urban and modern youth in Mexico within a story about sexual attraction and adolescent idealism.

<i>Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh</i> 1999 Indian Punjabi-language film

Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh is a 1999 Indian Punjabi-language feature film based on the real-life love story of Boota Singh and Zainab, starring Gurdas Maan and Divya Dutta in the lead roles. The film is directed by Manoj Punj and produced by Manjeet Maan. Arun Bakshi, Gurkirtan and Chetana Das played supporting roles. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Punjabi at the 46th National Film Awards.

Atta Yaqub is a Scottish model and actor of Pakistani/Punjabi descent. He played the lead role in the 2004 film Ae Fond Kiss....

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curt Truninger</span> Swiss film director (born 1957)

Curt Truninger is a Swiss filmmaker, screenplay writer and producer. He also works as a visual artist, journalist and occasional actor. He divides his time between Toronto and Zurich.

<i>Adam & Eva</i> 1997 Swedish film

Adam & Eva is a 1997 Swedish romantic comedy film written and directed by Hannes Holm and Måns Herngren. Starring Björn Kjellman as Adam and Josefin Nilsson as Eva. The film tells the story about a married couple Adam and Eva and their various dreams of the future. Eva's thoughts about the house and kids is scaring Adam who fall into a life crisis. He is cheating with his brother's nanny, which leads to a divorce between him and Eva. He later realizes that he loves Eva and tries to win her back.

Nissash Amar Tumi is a 2010 Dhallywood romantic comedy film directed by Bodiul Alom Kokun and produced by Asha Production. The film stars Shakib Khan and Apu Biswas in the lead roles. It is a remake of the 1989 Hindi film Maine Pyar Kiya. Nissash Amar Tumi was a hit at the box-office and was one of the highest grossing Bengali movies of 2010. It won two awards at the 2010 National Film Awards.

<i>Eva</i> (2011 film) 2011 film

Eva is a 2011 science fiction film directed by Kike Maíllo. It had its world premiere on 7 September 2011 at the 68th Venice International Film Festival, where it was screened out of competition. The film stars Daniel Brühl, Marta Etura, Lluís Homar and Alberto Ammann.

<i>Sadqay Tumhare</i> 2014 Pakistani biographical television series

Sadqay Tumhare is a Pakistani biographical drama serial based on the life of the series' own writer Khalil-Ur-Rehman Qamar. It is directed by Mohammed Ehteshamuddin and co-produced by Momina Duraid, Samina Humayun Saeed and Tariq Ahmad Shah. It stars Mahira Khan, Samiya Mumtaz and Adnan Malik, who made his acting debut with this serial.

<i>Aik Thi Misaal</i> 2015 Pakistani drama serial

Aik Thi Misaal is a Pakistani television program that was based on a novel of the same name by Rukhsana Nigar. It was first aired on 14 September 2015 on Hum TV. It was directed by Shaquille Khan and written by Rukhsana Nigar. The teledrama ended on 12 January 2016.

<i>Pari</i> (2018 Indian film) 2018 film by Prosit Roy

Pari (transl. Fairy) is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language supernatural horror film directed by Prosit Roy in his debut. It stars Anushka Sharma and marks her third production venture for her company Clean Slate Filmz. Parambrata Chatterjee, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor and Mansi Multani feature in supporting roles. Production on the film began in June 2017 and it released theatrically on 2 March 2018.

<i>Whats Love Got to Do with It?</i> (2022 film) Film by Shekhar Kapur

What's Love Got to Do with It? is a 2022 British romantic comedy film directed by Shekhar Kapur and written by Jemima Khan. It stars Lily James, Shazad Latif, Shabana Azmi, Emma Thompson, Sajal Ali, Oliver Chris, Asim Chaudhry, Jeff Mirza, Alice Orr-Ewing and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

<i>Dum Mastam</i> 2022 Pakistani film by Ehteshamuddin

Dum Mastam is a 2022 Pakistani romantic comedy-drama film directed by Mohammed Ehteshamuddin, and produced by Adnan Siddiqui and Akhtar Husnain under Cereal Entertainment. Written by Amar Khan, the film stars Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan along with Sohail Ahmed, Saleem Meraj and Momin Saqib in supporting roles. The film was released on Eid al-Fitr, 3 May 2022, by Hum Films.

<i>Eid Mubarak</i> (film) 1965 Pakistani film

Eid Mubarak is a 1975 Pakistani muslim social directed by S. M. Yusuf who also wrote the screenplay for the film, based on a story written by Fayyaz Hashmi. It features Waheed Murad, Zeba, Habib and Rukhsana in leading roles. The film had songs performed by Mala, Ahmed Rushdi and Munir Hussain and a Naat in the music composition of A. Hameed. The film performed well at the box office and was a silver jublee hit. It won a Nigar Award for Best sound editing.

References

  1. ↑ "In the British film Just a Kiss (2004), Loach gives a voice to Tahara, who, like Irie, tries to inscribe her subjectivity in a mostly white Scottish school. The film narrates the problems migrant characters face because of their race and culture." Coelsch-Foisner, Sabine and Fernández Morales. The Human Body in Contemporary Literatures in English: Cultural and Political Implications. Peter Lang International Academic Publishers, 2009: 53.
  2. ↑ "Ae Fond Kiss – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "Ae Fond Kiss Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  4. ↑ IMDB Awards
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.