Sixth Happiness (1997)

The unusual story of a boy who will never grow. Born with a disease that makes his bones brittle, Brit, as he is appropriately named by his mom, will be four feet tall for life. But he ... See full summary »

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writer:

Firdaus Kanga (autobiography)

Stars:

Firdaus Kanga, Souad Faress, Khodus Wadia

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Firdaus Kanga	...	Brit Kotwal
Souad Faress	...	Sera Kotwal
Khodus Wadia	...	Sam Kotwal
Nina Wadia	...	Dolly Kotwal
Ace Bhatti	...	Cyrus (as Ahsen Bhatti)
Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal	...	Jeroo
Nisha Nayar	...	Tina (as Nisha K. Nayar)
Indira Varma	...	Amy
Roger Hammond	...	Father Ferre
Sabira Merchant	...	Madame Maneckshaw
Noshirwan Jehangir	...	Doctor
Dara Madon	...	Old Parsee Man
Viju Khote	...	Wagh Baba
Dina Chinoy	...	Musical Daughter
Vijay Damania	...	Bank Clerk (as Vijaysen Damania)

Storyline

The unusual story of a boy who will never grow. Born with a disease that makes his bones brittle, Brit, as he is appropriately named by his mom, will be four feet tall for life. But he doesn't think small. He has his own spirited way of dealing with the world, and the cast of characters that surrounds him helps ensure that life is never dull: an eccentric mom, a dad with movie star looks, a doting sister, and numerous other mentors, lovers (both male and female), and charlatans who come in and out of the picture.

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Plot Keywords:

homosexuality | india | gay interest | wheelchair | suicide | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1997 (USA)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$1,540 (USA) (5 November 1999)

Gross:

$1,540 (USA) (5 November 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England, BBC Films, British Film Institute (BFI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958)

User Reviews

Lust for Life

Once in a while a film comes along that fills you with such hope that by the time the final credits roll you feel that nothing in life is impossible. I was reluctant at first to see THE SIXTH HAPPINESS. But the glowing reviews in the New York Times and Newsday made go out anyway. Kanga does an amazing job playing a character not unlike himself from the ages of 8 to 18. All this at the age of 38! He is so charismatic, charming, disarming, and funny that his stage presence carries you through this tale that is touching, heart wrenching, and ultimately uplifting. I thought "Why would I want to see a film about a gay, disabled, Parsi? I would have nothing in common with him." But I was so wrong. The problems we all face: dealing with parents and siblings, finding love, potential marriage, and dealing with a cruel harsh and unforgiving world are universal. Seeing the problems that the character Brit surmounts made me realize how much I have in life and how easy it is to take certain things for granted. Knowing that he could find happiness - his sixth happiness with all the strikes he had against him filled me with a lust for life.