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The World Unseen

PG-13 Released Nov 7, 2008 1h 44m Drama Romance LGBTQ+ List
30% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In 1950s Cape Town, progressive and free Amina (Sheetal Sheth) co-owns a cafe with a black man named Jacob. One day, a beautiful housewife named Miriam (Lisa Ray) visits the cafe, and Amina is instantly smitten. Miriam runs a store outside of town with her husband, Omar (Parvin Dabas), and feels increasingly stifled in her conventional life. She cannot help but give in to her desire when Amina comes calling.
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The World Unseen

Critics Reviews

View All (27) Critics Reviews
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. Rated: 2/6 Apr 3, 2009 Full Review Wendy Ide Times (UK) You wait all year for a lesbian comedy drama with the production values of a 1980s TV movie and the acting standard of a carpet shampoo advert, and then two come along at once. Rated: 2/5 Apr 3, 2009 Full Review Xan Brooks Guardian A curiously strait-laced, timid and self-conscious affair. Rated: 2/5 Apr 3, 2009 Full Review Candace Moore Curve A rich exploration of bigotry of all kinds. May 24, 2022 Full Review Jason Best Movie Talk Sarif deserves praise for the way she explores how questions of prejudice and identity are even more difficult to negotiate in communities that are themselves subject to intolerance. Nov 21, 2020 Full Review Edward Porter Sunday Times (UK) If Sarif improves with experience, she might regret ever having allowed this effort to be seen by the public. Rated: 1/5 Apr 9, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (55) audience reviews
Irina R Great movie. Very touching, sexy and with good historical context Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/24 Full Review PridePosterStudios If you’re doing sapphic do it properly Rated 1 out of 5 stars 05/10/24 Full Review Audience Member Great movie Beautiful movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/02/20 Full Review Audience Member This was a good film as well. Enjoyed the portrayal of the countries issues as well as the conflict between the characters very well. I liked that they depicted the intensity between the two woman without having to throw down and actually steamy sex scene, which would have been epic, but this movie did better with just showing that intensity and chemistry between the two women. it was very realistic and believable. i really enjoyed how the relationship between the two was grown and escalated. loved the ending it left up to imagination instead of giving a definite this is what happened type. Great acting I saw another movie with the same leading ladies they have such great on screen chemistry and really have good instinct when acting together. overall rather enjoyable. :) Recommend Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member i don't know exactly how to describe this movie but all i can say is it's worth watching. lisa and sheetal gives a brilliant performance. :) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting movie. Very good cinematography and background music. The romance itself is touching but the way the movie portrays the impact of Apartheid on South Africans is heartbreaking. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The World Unseen

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1950s Cape Town, progressive and free Amina (Sheetal Sheth) co-owns a cafe with a black man named Jacob. One day, a beautiful housewife named Miriam (Lisa Ray) visits the cafe, and Amina is instantly smitten. Miriam runs a store outside of town with her husband, Omar (Parvin Dabas), and feels increasingly stifled in her conventional life. She cannot help but give in to her desire when Amina comes calling.
Director
Shamim Sarif
Producer
Hanan Kattan
Screenwriter
Shamim Sarif
Distributor
Regent Releasing
Rating
PG-13 (Violence|Sexuality|Mature Thematic Material)
Genre
Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 7, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 17, 2016
Runtime
1h 44m
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