I think the best films take me some place- either emotionally or geographically- I haven’t seen before. Perhaps that would explain an attraction to both westerns and period pieces, I don’t know. Over the weekend, thanks to the Sundance Channel, I saw a terrific little Canadian film called Sabah. In many ways it was a simple meeting of two cultures, conflict film. A Muslim woman, Sabah, meets and falls in love with a Christian man much to her family’s chagrin.
No new territory is explored here- Mr. the Parents is a broad comedy version of the same thing. What is different, however, is seeing a Syrian family on film. I was taken some place I have never been. Also, and not to be overlooked, is the fact the film is Canadian. Just across our border lies an interesting film business. Atom Egoyan, the wonderful Canadian director, is an executive producer on Sabah, and his films are always worth seeing.
More later on the Canadian industry. For now check out Sabah.
PeterH
