The World Unseen (2007)

A drama centered on two women who engage in a dangerous relationship during South Africa's apartheid era.

Director:

Shamim Sarif

Writers:

Shamim Sarif (novel), Shamim Sarif (screenplay)

Stars:

Lisa Ray, Sheetal Sheth, Parvin Dabas

8 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lisa Ray	...	Miriam
Sheetal Sheth	...	Amina Harjan
Parvin Dabas	...	Omar
Nandana Sen	...	Rehmat
David Dennis	...	Jacob (as David Denis)
Grethe Fox	...	Madeleine Smith
Colin Moss	...	De Witt
Natalie Becker	...	Farah
Rajesh Gopie	...	Sadru
Bernard White	...	Mr. Harjan
Avantika Akerkar	...	Mrs. Harjan
Amber Rose Revah	...	Begum
Leonie Casanova	...	Doris
Roderick Priestley	...	Stewart
Ethan Sarif-Kattan	...	Sam

Storyline

A drama centered on two women who engage in a dangerous relationship during South Africa's apartheid era.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | lgbt | lgbtq | south africa | title directed by female | 

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Taglines:

Nothing Can Stop You From Falling In Love.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexuality, and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [United States]

Country:

South Africa UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 2009 (UK)

Also Known As:

Az észrevétlen világ

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,031, 9 November 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$16,832, 23 November 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Enlightenment Productions, DO Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to director Shamim Sarif when this film was sent for consideration to a film festival in Dubai, the DVD was mailed back to them with a note, which simply stated "the subject matter does not exist".

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Soundtracks

Broken (End Credits)
Written and Performed by Leonie Casanova
Copyright by Leonie Casanova

User Reviews

A different view of South Africa and Apartheid

I had the good fortune of seeing this magnificent film at the Toronto International Film Festival. Once a year, sometimes twice I see a film that makes my three movie a week habit all worthwhile, something that is so honest and pure that it's like watching a little piece of Heaven come to life on the screen in front of you. The World Unseen was that for me. I don't want to give anything away. I'll simply say that Writer/Director Shamim Sarif works from her heart and her soul delivering a movie that obviously meant the world to her. Lisa Ray, so wonderful in Water, had me in the palm of her hand, pencil her in as an actress to watch in the future. And Sheetal Sheth was a revelation.

Set in the Indian community of Cape Town during Apartheid, The World Unseen looks through the politics, around the issues and shows us the world that is the lives and loves of two young woman, one very traditional, one anything but.