The World Unseen

2008 • 93 minutes
4.8
18 reviews
30%
Tomatometer
PG-13
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

In 1950's South Africa, apartheid is just beginning. Free-spirited Amina (Sheetal Sheth) has broken all the rules of her own conventional Indian community, and the new apartheid-led government, by running a café with Jacob, her 'colored' business partner. When she meets Miriam (Lisa Ray), a young traditional wife and mother, their unexpected attraction pushes Miriam to question the rules that bind her. As Amina helps Miriam's sister-in-law to hide from the police, a chain of events is set in motion that changes both women forever.
Rating
PG-13

Ratings and reviews

4.8
18 reviews
Pamela Laws
May 13, 2018
A poignantly told love story about two women who fall in love in 1952 South Africa. Also told a subplot of even more forbidden love between a black man and a white woman. The acting is subtle and very natural, director and writer Shamin Sarif draws from her roots as a South Africian to tell of one story about the subculture of Indian immigrants living in Apartheid. Lisa Ray is alluringly attractive and turns in a performance that evokes the spirit of Audrey Hepburn. Sheetal Sheth is boyishly bold, coy and feminine at the same time. Her performance reminds me of home movies of Katherine Hepburn who's wearing of "trousers" was considered scandalous in her time and culture as well. The entire cast turns in stellar performances. The chemistry between Ray and Sheth left me breathless, prompting me to rent "I Can't Think Straight" by the same author/director and reteaming them as leads in a more contemporary setting. Though l liked the other movie, I prefer the more understated performances of this bygone era story. It evokes images of Donna Deitch's "Dessert Hearts" set in the same era in America. Recommend this movie highly as a date night for all lesbian couples.
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Felicia W
January 4, 2018
Love the story
2 people found this review helpful
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Sharron Simmons
February 6, 2021
Awesome
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