Hideous Kinky (1998)

Unsatisfied with her life in England, young mother Julia relocates to Morocco with her small daughters, Lucy and Bea. Although the family enjoys various adventures, they struggle to make ends meet.

Director:

Gillies MacKinnon

Writers:

Esther Freud (novel), Billy MacKinnon

Stars:

Kate Winslet, Bella Riza, Saïd Taghmaoui

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Winslet	...	Julia
Saïd Taghmaoui	...	Bilal
Bella Riza	...	Bea
Carrie Mullan	...	Lucy
Pierre Clémenti	...	Santoni
Abigail Cruttenden	...	Charlotte
Ahmed Boulane	...	Ben Said
Sira Stampe	...	Eva
Amidou	...	Sufi Sheikh
Michelle Fairley	...	Patricia
Kevin McKidd	...	Henning
Peter Youngblood Hills	...	Hippy
Mohcine Barmouni	...	Aziz
Annouar Zrika	...	Hicham
Mohamed Cherkaoui	...	Hadaoui

Storyline

Hideous Kinky is the story of two sisters (seven and five years old) traveling with their hippie mother from London to Morocco. They encounter many adventures, new experiences, and interesting culture as they tag along on their mother's search for freedom and love. It is told through the eyes of the youngest girl, and we learn her observations on life, Mum, and determined sister, Bea.

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | breasts | girl child | male frontal nudity | bare breasts | 

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Taglines:

It's not just an adventure... It's a love affair.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the film and book comes from the only two words the two girls remember their mum's friend saying "Hideous" and "Kinky". Bea in particular uses the words in a game that the girls play which is similar to "tag" but if she shouts "Hideous Kinky" before her sister tags her she is free.

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Quotes

Lucy: Mom, is it Christmas yet?
Julia: No, darling. Not till morning.
Lucy: Is it morning yet?

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Connections

Referenced in Stars!: Kate Winslet

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Soundtracks

Follow
Written by J. Merrick
Performed by Richie Havens

User Reviews

An Honest Movie

A young English mother, Julia (Kate Winslet), packs up her two daughters, aged 5 and 7, moves to Morocco and embarks on a voyage of self discovery. Set in 1972, the film catches up with Julia and kids nine months into their trip. We're never told why she left London, but her artist-husband back home has just stopped providing the rent checks. This is putting a crimp in the self-awareness game. In the process of surviving and searching for Sufic fulfillment, Julia must also deal with her children's growing disenchantment with life in Morocco, and their desire to return to a stable, normal (and English) childhood. Family friction increases when she takes a young Moroccan lover, and a group of wealthy English ex-pats start second guessing Julia's childrearing abilities.

There is no big story here, no buildup of drama, and no real endgame. "Hideous Kinky" is a study of the family dynamics amongst this odd troupe. The acting is very good, especially the two children, and the on-location filming in Morocco is a treat. This film is definitely not for everyone, but if you are in to this type of movie, you should enjoy it. The single word that I would use to describe "Hideous Kinky" is 'honest'.

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English French Arabic

Release Date:

13 January 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

Hideous Kinky

Filming Locations:

Marrakech, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$82,431, 18 April 1999

Gross USA:

$1,263,279

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,263,279

Company Credits

Production Co:

AMLF, Arts Council of England, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1