The World Unseen

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The World Unseen

PG-13

Released Nov 7, 2008

1h 44m

Drama

Romance

LGBTQ+

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30%

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27 Reviews

69%

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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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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

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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

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Xan Brooks

Guardian

A curiously strait-laced, timid and self-conscious affair.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 3, 2009

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Candace Moore

Curve

A rich exploration of bigotry of all kinds.

May 24, 2022

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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

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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

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Irina R

Great movie. Very touching, sexy and with good historical context

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/24

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PridePosterStudios

If you’re doing sapphic do it properly

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

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Audience Member

Great movie Beautiful movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/02/20

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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

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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

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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

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Shamim Sarif

Director

Lisa Ray

Miriam

Sheetal Sheth

Amina

Parvin Dabas

Omar

Nandana Sen

Rehmat

David Dennis

Jacob

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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
Production Co: Enlightenment Productions
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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