The World Unseen

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The World Unseen
The World Unseen Poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Shamim Sarif
Screenplay byShamim Sarif
Based onThe World Unseen
by Shamim Sarif
Produced by Hanan Kattan
Starring Lisa Ray
Sheetal Sheth
CinematographyMichael Downie
Edited byDavid Martin
Music by Richard Blackford
Distributed by Enlightenment Productions
Regent Releasing
Release date
  • 9 September 2007 (2007-09-09)(Toronto International Film Festival)
Running time
94 minutes
CountriesSouth Africa
United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

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.

Contents

Ray and Sheth also star together in another Shamim Sarif movie, I Can't Think Straight , released in November 2008.

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

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] On Rotten Tomatoes the film has a 30% rotten rating from 27 reviews, with an average score of 4.5/10. [2]

Awards and honours

Awards
AwardCategoryNameOutcome
South African Film and Television Awards 2009 [3] [4] Best DirectorShamim SarifWon
Best CinematographerMike DownieWon
Best Supporting ActorDavid DennisWon
Best Supporting ActressNatalie BeckerWon
Best Ensemble CastThe World UnseenWon
Best WritingShamim SarifWon
Best EditorRonelle Loots, David MartinWon
Best Production DesignerTanya van TonderWon
Best Costume DesignerDanielle KnoxWon
Best Make Up/Hair StylistCaera O'ShaughneeyWon
Best Sound DesignerBarry DonnellyWon
Phoenix International Film Festival [5] World Cinema Best DirectorShamim SarifWon
Clip Film Festival, USA [5] Best Director, FeatureShamim SarifWon
Grand Canarias G&L International Film Festival [5] Best ActressSheetal ShethWon
Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival [5] Audience Award, Best FeatureThe World UnseenWon
Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival [5] Best Debut FeatureThe World UnseenWon
Paris Lesbian and Feminist Film Festival [5] Audience Award, Best FeatureThe World UnseenWon
Dallas OUT TAKESBest ActressSheetal ShethWon
Verzaubert - International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival [5] Silver MedalThe World UnseenWon
Best PictureThe World UnseenNominated
Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film FestivalAudience Award for Best FilmThe World UnseenWon
Best DirectorShamim SarifWon

See also

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References

[6]

  1. "Review of "The World Unseen" - AfterEllen". AfterEllen. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  2. "The World Unseen". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The World Unseen - Awards". enlightenment-productions.com. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  6. 6TH PRODUCERS LAB TORONTO JUST KICKED OFF [ permanent dead link ]