The World Unseen (2007)

25% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(855 ratings)

The owner of an apartheid-era Cape Town café experiences an attraction that threatens to change her life forever in director Shamim Sarif's look into a South Asian community in a divided South Africa. Amina (Sheetal Sheth) is the rebellious proprietor of the popular Location Café -- a destination… More The owner of an apartheid-era Cape Town café experiences an attraction that threatens to change her life forever in director Shamim Sarif's look into a South Asian community in a divided South Africa. Amina (Sheetal Sheth) is the rebellious proprietor of the popular Location Café -- a destination spot for adventurous social outlaws who resent having their lives dictated by racist laws. From the black waitress who doesn't realize her place in South African society to the older white woman who makes eyes at the handsome brown-skinned bachelor, these people like to have a little fun, and they know that they can just be themselves in the Location Café. When the apartheid police come knocking and Amina's conservative Indian neighbors cast an accusing eye, the emboldened café owner always stands up for her rights. Yet, despite her defiant exterior, Amina instantly turns soft when she meets the gaze of the beautiful Miriam (Lisa Ray). Despite the fact that Miriam is a married woman, she is endlessly fascinated by the free-thinking Amina. Eventually, Amina works up the courage to invite Miriam along for driving lessons, and both women succumb to the true power of their mutual attraction. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Shamim Sarif
Written By: Shamim Sarif
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Nov 7, 2008 Wide
On DVD: May 4, 2010
Studio: Regent Releasing/here! Films

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle
It suffers from an abundance of transparent acting, simplistic plot twists and music that essentially screams, 'These are important scenes to behold!'
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Drawing upon her own heritage as a descendant of South Africa's large Indian community, Sarif brings more than a dozen interconnected characters to life.
Kamal Al-Solaylee, Globe and Mail
It doesn't leave you cold, but it doesn't exactly make an impression, either.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Less an account of hatred and injustice in apartheid-torn South Africa than it is a soap opera-ish romance that could easily be an episode of The L-Word.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Never begins to tap the talent at its disposal.
Derek Elley, Variety
An extremely rare case of a pic version both written and directed by the book's original author, "The World Unseen" reps a strong argument for leaving screen adaptations to other, more capable hands.
Edward Porter, Sunday Times (UK)
If Sarif improves with experience, she might regret ever having allowed this effort to be seen by the public.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
Both films are politically daring as well as what used to be called risque. Neither, I'm afraid, is well directed or acted.
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.
Ali Catterall, Film4
As drama, it's insipid. As erotica, it's useless.
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.
Xan Brooks, Guardian [UK]
A curiously strait-laced, timid and self-conscious affair.
Rob Daniel, Sky Movies
While the visuals never rise above TV-movie adequacy and some background acting hovers at am-dram level, The World Unseen's central story is strong enough to hold attention.
Kevin Harley, Total Film
Intimacy, nuance and emotional punch are conspicuous only by their absence. Dreary.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
This tale of forbidden love in the early days of apartheid South Africa suffers from heavy-handed direction and stodgy exposition, but it is made tolerable by its two central performances.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Sharif's second film maintains the small screen soap opera feel of I Can't Think Straight, but it remains a watchable lesbian romance, heightened by strong central performances from Ray and Sheth.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
Possibly too restrained for its own good, the fictional story still makes a quiet impact.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
Engaging and intelligent.

Read all 18 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

An interesting movie! Set in 1950's South Africa, Miriam and Amina meet, and are instantly intrigued by each other. Miriam is a housewife, and a mother of three children. She abides her husband's every wish, and conforms herself to the upholding of her home. Dealing with… More
An interesting movie! Set in 1950's South Africa, Miriam and Amina meet, and are instantly intrigued by each other. Miriam is a housewife, and a mother of three children. She abides her husband's every wish, and conforms herself to the upholding of her home. Dealing with her husband's adulterous affair with her sister-in-law, she finds motivation in taking risks and learning to do things on her own. Amina is unmarried, and runs a store with her business partner, Jacob. Carefree and independent, Amina tends to tempt the boundaries of the law. Indifferent to the opinions of others in the Indian community, Amina wishes only to live life the way that she seeks to. The personalities that mark each individual enables, and draws, them together. Great cast- Sheetal Sheth, Lisa Ray, Parvin Dabas, Nandana Sen, Nathalie Becker, David Dennis, Grethe Fox, Colin Moss, and Roderick Priestley. Worthy!
Ina S

Beautiful directorial debut with great (and stunning!) lead actresses. Unfortunately too concerned with conveying as much of the book as possible, the transition from the great novel to the screen wasn't entirely successful in terms of storytelling. The cinematography and cast is… More
Beautiful directorial debut with great (and stunning!) lead actresses. Unfortunately too concerned with conveying as much of the book as possible, the transition from the great novel to the screen wasn't entirely successful in terms of storytelling. The cinematography and cast is very good, and for a first film this is extremely well done. Overall a heartfelt narrative set in Apartheid South Africa, centered around a tender lesbian romance, but also filled with interesting glimpses into Apartheid realities. I just discovered that "I can't think straight" was actually shot before this, so ignore the part about the debut... Two very good films in a row, kudos to Shamim Sarif.