Plot (from IMDB.com) : In the upper echelons of traditional Middle Eastern society, Reema and Omar prepare for the marriage of their daughter Tala. But back at work in London, Tala encounters Leyla, a young British Indian woman who is dating Tala’s best friend Ali. Tala sees something unique in the artless, clumsy, sensitive Leyla who secretly works to become a writer. And Tala’s forthright challenges to Leyla’s beliefs begins a journey of self-awareness for Leyla. As the women fall in love, Tala’s own sense of duty and cultural restraint cause her to pull away from Leyla and fly back to Jordan where the preparations for an ostentatious wedding are well under way. As family members descend and the wedding day approaches, the pressure mounts until Tala finally cracks and extricates herself. Back in London, Leyla is heartbroken but learns to break free of her own self-doubt and her mother’s expectations, ditching Ali and being honest with her parents about her sexuality. When Ali and Leyla’s feisty sister Zara help throw Tala and Leyla together again, Tala finds that her own preconceptions of what love can be is the final hurdle she must jump to win Leyla back. Written by Shamim Sarif
(Picture taken from IMDB.com)
The movie reminded me of Bend It Like Beckham in that it touched on changing attitudes and lifestyle of 2nd generation migrant Indian and Asian families in London. Crippled with familial and cultural expectations the two women struggled hard to finally be at ease with themselves.
When I heard about the movie I honestly expected more persecution and unfair treatment from their families. Instead their coming out processes had less bloodshed and more acceptance. The fathers from both sides were surprisingly liberal – which I have an issue with because I don’t believe it will happen in real life. I could be wrong. Like Les Filles du Botanist which I watched earlier this year where the persecution is real and horrible – somehow I expected something along those lines, maybe not as serious, but definitely more than a slap on the wrist.
Could this plot be superimposed onto another setting? Yes. I can’t decide if that’s the beauty or flaw of it. In a sense, it just works out to be another love story of late realisation and subsequent struggles. Then again this emphasizes that a gay love story is no different, no weirder than a regular love story. Can’t decide, can’t decide.
Would I recommend this film? Yes. It’s heartwreching and heartwarming and illuminating all at the same time. It’s funny and entertaining too, looking at their families, both dysfunctional in their own ways. And the joke about Ethiopian bread – that was the same exact reaction I had when my friend mentioned Ethiopian food just two days ago. This film is entertaining and endearing, definitely a keeper.
Visit the official website HERE.
