The World Unseen (2008), a South African movie, written and directed by Shamim Sarif, based on a novel she had written, stars Lisa Ray, Sheetal Sheth, David Dennis, Grethe Fox, Parvin Dabas, Colin Moss, Nandana Sen, Natalie Becker, Leonie Casanova, Bernard White, Avantika Akerkar, Amber Rose Revah and Rajesh Gopie.
The story is set in 1950's South Africa where apartheid was just beginning. Free-spirited Amina (Sheetal Sheth) is free-spirited woman who has broken all the rules of her orthodox Indian community in South Africa. She runs a café, a safe haven for happiness, laughter, music and delicious homemade food, a grey area for those who fall outside the strict ‘Black and White’ rules of the South African government running on apartheid.
Amina’s café regulars include Amina's feisty waitress Doris (Leonie Casanova), her gentle ‘colored’ business partner Jacob (David Dennis) and the sparkly white local postmistress Madeleine (Grethe Fox). Madeleine and Jacob have developed a budding attraction for each other.
Miriam (Lisa Ray) is a doting mother to her children and a subservient wife to her chauvinistic and frustrated husband Omar (Parvin Dabas). But when Miriam meets Amina their unexpected mutual attraction throws them both off-balance. Miriam tries to overcome her attraction and feelings, but she is more and more drawn towards the unconventional Amina. She gradually starts confronting all the restraints. But, then Miriam moves to an isolated life in the countryside, but she is not spared by the poisonous fangs of apartheid. There are many biases and injustices all around. And this brings Miriam and Amina together again and their mutual attraction and feelings are cemented further more strongly.
Jacob and Madeleine are now in a relationship. But they are also confronted by social challenges and indignities just because they spend time together. And the fearless Amina, faced with the strength of her feelings and the reality of Miriam's situation, now gets into confusion and self-doubting. But Miriam is now clearer about herself and more courageous to make her own choices that change her life forever.
The film is appreciated for the stunning South African landscape, social themes, injustices, and at the same time influenced by the jazz tunes of that period. The World Unseen is a decisive and courageous exploration of the social system that divides White from Black and women from men, and it highlights the unconventional love that survives the system.
