The Secret Laughter of Women (1999)

Director:

Peter Schwabach

Writers:

Misan Sagay (writer)
O.O. Sagay (writer)

Release Date:

26 November 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot Keywords:

Black Woman White Male | Interracial Romance | Independent Film

Cast

Colin Firth	...	Matthew Field
Nia Long	...	Nimi Da Silva
Dan Lett	...	John
Joke Silva	...	Nene
Ariyon Bakare	...	Rev. Fola
Joy Elias-Rilwan	...	Mama Fola
Hakeem Kae-Kazim	...	Dr. Ade
Bella Enahoro	...	Madame Rosa
Fissy Roberts	...	Sammy
Rakie Ayola	...	Talking Drum
Caroline Goodall	...	Jenny Field
Ellen Thomas	...	Bitter Leaf
Thomas Baptiste	...	Papa Fola
Willie Jonah	...	Old uncle
Ho Yi	...	Chen
Kemi Baruwa	...	Sugar
Mike Koohafkan	...	Jean Claude Delgado
Nichole Blanchet	...	Mrs Delgado
Maddalena Milani	...	Inez
Catherine Koohafkan	...	Teacher (as Catherine Koohefkan)
Frank Bellorti	...	Frederick

Directed by
Peter Schwabach

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Misan Sagay		writer
O.O. Sagay		writer

Produced by
Janet E. Cuddy	....	associate producer (as Janet E. Cudy)
Michael Dreyer	....	line producer
Gareth Jones	....	executive producer
Michael MacDonald	....	line producer
Misan Sagay	....	producer
Jon Slan	....	producer

Original Music by
Yves Laferrière

Cinematography by
Martin Fuhrer

Film Editing by
Michael Pacek

Casting by
Daniel Hubbard
John Hubbard

Production Design by
Christopher J. Bradshaw

Art Direction by
Tristan Peatfield

Set Decoration by
Liz Griffiths

Costume Design by
Louise Stjernsward

Makeup Department
Petrona Winton	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Gilles Normandin	....	production manager: French
Charlene Olson	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ben Burt	....	assistant director
Xavier Gens	....	trainee assistant director
Sallie Anne Hard	....	second assistant director
Michael MacDonald	....	second unit director
Simon Moseley	....	first assistant director
Phil Stoole	....	assistant director
Rebecca Sutton	....	assistant director

Art Department
Michel Rollant	....	property buyer
Bill Pearson	....	special props (uncredited)

Sound Department
Ray Campbell	....	assistant sound effects editor
Keith Elliott	....	sound re-recording mixer
Alan Geldart	....	sound effects editor
Jim Greenhorn	....	sound mixer
Steve Mayer	....	boom operator
Daniel Pellerin	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Graham Hills	....	special effects technician
Graham Longhurst	....	special effects supervisor

Stunts
Richard Bradshaw	....	stunt double: Colin Firth
Amanda Foster	....	stunt performer
Alan Stuart	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Sam Garwood	....	focus puller
Ross Grainger	....	electrician
Larry S. Prinz	....	gaffer
Nick Wall	....	still photographer

Casting Department
Samia Fadli	....	extras casting: South of France

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Suzy Freeman	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Chris Blunden	....	editor: director's cut
John Cameron	....	first assistant editor
Alfredo Frasson	....	film color timer
Lori A. Waters	....	director of post-production: Paragon/Handmade (uncredited)

Other crew
Bart Bailey	....	production runner
Cherry Fiddaman	....	production accountant
Andrew Jack	....	dialogue coach
Gavin Ricketts	....	assistant to producer
Andrew Rosen	....	production assistant: Paragon/Handmade
Paula Jack	....	language coach (uncredited)

Production Companies

• HandMade Films
• Paragon Entertainment Corporation

Distributors

• Optimum Releasing (UK)

Other Companies

• Deluxe Post-Production  post-production facilities
• Lee Lighting  lighting

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

UK | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12

Filming Locations:

Ealing, London, England, UK

Company:

HandMade Films

Fascinating.

I've seen this movie twice already and am very impressed with it.

The conversations between Nimi and her mother plus Nimi and Matthew are very touching. The Nigerian community is shown very truthfully and as colourfully as it usually is.

Although certain things could have done with a bit more explanation; if we knew why Matthew was in the South of France in the first place, the scenes following Matthew being found in his car would be more understandable.

Luckily, Optimum Releasing have a website that has detailed production notes that help to make such scenes better to understand.

I would go and see it again but unfortunately it had a limited release in London and is not longer available to see. I hope the video release gets it to a bigger audience because the film deserves it.