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Lisa Ray, Sheetal Sheth, Parvin Dabas, Nandana Sen, David Dennis ... see more see more... , Grethe Fox , Colin Moss , Roderick Priestley , Nathalie Becker , Rajesh Gopie , Amber Rose Revah , Bernard White , Avantika Akerkar , Leonie Casanova , Ethan Sarif-Kattan , Keziah Robinson , Usha Khan , Scott Cooper , Sibusiso Menziwa , Luca Sarif-Kattan , Saadia Saban , Sivuyile Ngesi , Natalie Becker

The owner of an apartheid-era Cape Town café experiences an attraction that threatens to change her life forever in director Shamim Sarif's look into a South Asian community in a divided South Africa.... read more read more... Amina (Sheetal Sheth) is the rebellious proprietor of the popular Location Café -- a destination spot for adventurous social outlaws who resent having their lives dictated by racist laws. From the black waitress who doesn't realize her place in South African society to the older white woman who makes eyes at the handsome brown-skinned bachelor, these people like to have a little fun, and they know that they can just be themselves in the Location Café. When the apartheid police come knocking and Amina's conservative Indian neighbors cast an accusing eye, the emboldened café owner always stands up for her rights. Yet, despite her defiant exterior, Amina instantly turns soft when she meets the gaze of the beautiful Miriam (Lisa Ray). Despite the fact that Miriam is a married woman, she is endlessly fascinated by the free-thinking Amina. Eventually, Amina works up the courage to invite Miriam along for driving lessons, and both women succumb to the true power of their mutual attraction. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

69% liked it

855 ratings

Critics

25% liked it

24 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Shamim Sarif

Release Date: November 7, 2008

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DVD Release Date: May 4, 2010

Stats: 79 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (79)

  • ileo
    October 15, 2010
    ileo
    An interesting movie! Set in 1950's South Africa, Miriam and Amina meet, and are instantly intrigued by each other. Miriam is a housewife, and a mother of three children. She abides her husband's every wish, and conforms herself to the upholding of her home. Dealing with her h... read moreusband's adulterous affair with her sister-in-law, she finds motivation in taking risks and learning to do things on her own. Amina is unmarried, and runs a store with her business partner, Jacob. Carefree and independent, Amina tends to tempt the boundaries of the law. Indifferent to the opinions of others in the Indian community, Amina wishes only to live life the way that she seeks to. The personalities that mark each individual enables, and draws, them together.
    Great cast- Sheetal Sheth, Lisa Ray, Parvin Dabas, Nandana Sen, Nathalie Becker, David Dennis, Grethe Fox, Colin Moss, and Roderick Priestley. Worthy!
  • InaHH
    October 27, 2008
    InaHH
    Beautiful directorial debut with great (and stunning!) lead actresses. Unfortunately too concerned with conveying as much of the book as possible, the transition from the great novel to the screen wasn't entirely successful in terms of storytelling. The cinematography and cast is... read more very good, and for a first film this is extremely well done. Overall a heartfelt narrative set in Apartheid South Africa, centered around a tender lesbian romance, but also filled with interesting glimpses into Apartheid realities. I just discovered that "I can't think straight" was actually shot before this, so ignore the part about the debut... Two very good films in a row, kudos to Shamim Sarif.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Curiel
November 14, 2008
Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle

It suffers from an abundance of transparent acting, simplistic plot twists and music that essentially screams, 'These are important scenes to behold!' Full Review

Kevin Thomas
November 7, 2008
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Drawing upon her own heritage as a descendant of South Africa's large Indian community, Sarif brings more than a dozen interconnected characters to life. Full Review

Kamal Al-Solaylee
November 7, 2008
Kamal Al-Solaylee, Globe and Mail

It doesn't leave you cold, but it doesn't exactly make an impression, either. Full Review

Susan Walker
November 7, 2008
Susan Walker, Toronto Star

Less an account of hatred and injustice in apartheid-torn South Africa than it is a soap opera-ish romance that could easily be an episode of The L-Word. Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis
November 7, 2008
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

Never begins to tap the talent at its disposal. Full Review

Derek Elley
October 18, 2008
Derek Elley, Variety

An extremely rare case of a pic version both written and directed by the book's original author, "The World Unseen" reps a strong argument for leaving screen adaptations to other, more capable hands. Full Review

Edward Porter
April 9, 2009
Edward Porter, Sunday Times (UK)

If Sarif improves with experience, she might regret ever having allowed this effort to be seen by the public. Full Review

Philip French
April 9, 2009
Philip French, Observer [UK]

Both films are politically daring as well as what used to be called risque. Neither, I'm afraid, is well directed or acted. Full Review

Sarah Cohen
April 3, 2009
Sarah Cohen, Time Out

No amount of heaving bosom or quivering bottom lip can evoke a romantic frisson if the emotion simply isn't there. Full Review

Ali Catterall
April 3, 2009
Ali Catterall, Film4

As drama, it's insipid. As erotica, it's useless. Full Review

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The World Unseen Trivia

  • A record holder in the Guinness Book Of World Records, this actress appeared in her first film in 1912 ("An Unseen Enemy," with her younger sister), and made her final screen appearance in 1987 (in "The Whales Of August," alongside Bette Davis). Who was she?  Answer »
  • What film has this quote:" I am a death dealer,sworn to destroy those know as the lycans.Our war has waged for centuries unseen by human eyes.But all that is about to change "?  Answer »
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