Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34241 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-02-14
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 81 minutes

Synopsis
Yasmin, the daughter of a Pakistani family living in northern England attempts to please both her family and still enjoy a western way of life. But she finds herself agreeing to marry a cousin to please her father. With her life changed forever Yasmin becomes even more isolated when the September 11th tragedy brings new anti-terrorism laws.

Customer Reviews

Convincing acting, somewhat disappointing story
Yasmin is a self-sufficient, assertive young woman, the daughter of Muslim Pakistani parents. Trying to lead the life of a mainstream British person at least on the outside, she relinquishes the hijab for modern clothes before she arrives to work, drives her own little convertible car, bought with her own money, and even dares stand up to her father. After September 11, she begins to feel a target of anti-Muslim sentiment, and some events beyond her control paradoxically lead her to a reconciliation with her religion. Archie Panjabi is utterly convincing in the lead role, and the movie is mainly worth watching for her performance. One feels an accumulating sympathy for her character. There is almost a documentary feel to the film, which tries to stay clear of taking political sides. I was somewhat disappointed with the story line, as in the latter part of the film the script seems to have given up on the idea of the protagonist's self-assertiveness, and while representing her as reconciled with both Islam and her father,the script just leaves her a much weaker woman than she was before. The film is too short both to properly consider how Yasmin would contine to function in the British social context, as well as to develop the character of Yasmin's brother, who goes off to join the war against the West.
As far as the technical side of the DVD is concerned, there is nothing to impress. The cast interviews are not proper interviews, but just a few printed pages that the viewer is to read onscreen. I found that disappointing, as I was looking forward to hearing Archie Panjabi talk about her character.

simply brilliant
it is importnat to stand back from Hollywood from time to time and touch base with the real world. Beaufoy has achieved a superb portrayal of a real world for some, to the point where I felt I was intruding. He takes the veil off British Muslim women and reveals a world of community, family and loyalty. It is the sort of film that writers need to study and stand back and learn from. It is also deeply moving.

********** SILLY FILM - WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY ***************
I saw this film on TV and frankly it is silly and waste of time. Pure fiction trying to address real issues.

Don't waste your money; give it to a charity if you must.