Review of The World Unseen (2007) by Roxanne R — 15 Jun 2011

Since I enjoyed the fim "I Can't Think Straight" from director Shamim Sarif, I surmised this one would be just as good but not quite. However; it is still a good, solid film with good acting and I am impressed with director Shamm Sarif (watch the interview with her under special features of the dvd).

The film is somewhat interesting and it takes place in 1950's apartheid-ruled South Africa where two women of Indian origin begin a tenuous friendship. We have Miriam (played by Lisa Ray) who is a repressed housewife and mother of two, living in a remote house on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Amina (played by Sheetal Sheth) is a rebel, â~masculineâ(TM) in thought, deed and dress, part-owner of the Location Cafe and misunderstood by her traditionalist family who only want to see her married off and domesticated.

This is a touching story of friendship, of possible love between two human beings and how each one of them helps the other one. Kudos to Shamim Sarif for being able to bring to the big screen a movie that resonates with many people; that makes you feel so much empathy and understanding for the two female characters! And thank God I was not born during that difficult time period.

Definitely recommended...