WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Yearnings for those we wish to court and the challenge of finding the courage to act. Is this not an all-too-familiar tale when it comes to the infatuation we have towards another which we cannot seem to muster the fortitude to at least try and pursue? Granted it’s much easier said than done, but if we wait too long, might we not end up instead losing all hope of seeing what could have been possible pass us by? In the city of Lahore, a new show is being created at a local erotic dance club. For a transgender girl named Alina (Alina Khan), it marks new possibilities to shine as a dancer and allow it to be her picture on the establishment’s outside marquee. But for her younger friend, 16-year old Shani (Abdullah Malik), it is his unconfessed and therefore unrequited love for her that underscores their journey.
Next, my Mind:
Making its New York Premier at the inaugural 2019 New York City South Asian Film Festival sponsored by Toyota, the 12-minute short from Pakistan comes to existence through writer/director Saim Sadiq, writer Rodney Llaverias, producers Nadia Afgan and Mahak Jiwani plus co-producers Fahad Nabi and Jasmin Tenucci, delivering an engagingly quaint, perfectly simple, totally adorable, yet surprisingly compelling romantic drama that covers the bases from innocent puppy love to matters of gender equality in association with sexual identity, and the overall view one has of themselves as it impacts the path travelled by two individuals who could very well be labeled outcasts of society. The current outpouring of newly freed ideas and higher levels of acceptance involved within the transgender community has increased the number of films willing to address the subject in bolder and bolder ways, which is admirable given the backlash and outraged attitudes that used to pervade South Asian communities when it came to this particular theme.
Because of this, the effort is very persuasive in that its depiction of Alina’s plight still shows a general underlying resistance in how some still see anyone from the transgender lifestyle, though not via hate here, but more from a belief that the general public’s acceptance of it in the context of the narrative’s progression and the dance club Alina is attempting to be a part of. It’s almost like a statement that says “As a whole, we have fully acknowledged you and your choice of lifestyle. But, we don’t think we can put you in a public arena such as ours and have it be understood or looked well upon”. This is at least how it struck this critic while in the meantime getting a mix of both light and broken-hearted vibes from the plight of Shani, who’s only goal the entire time is to win the girl he loves, yet watches as she not only begins to get away, but potentially compromises who she is for the sake of simply being a part of what she’s after. His reaction to this is obvious and it makes one wonder the final outcome after it is all over. Again, it is the politics of both life and being in love, yet having either the persistence to do something about it (Alina) or not (Shani).
Impressive to me is that this film marks the acting debut of Khan, who according to a piece of information I read, was specifically picked out of a massive search through the transgender community in Lahore. To say the least, she makes a splash as Alina, a dreamer who’s only focus is to rise to stardom at the local exotic dance theater via auditioning to be a part of a new show they’re putting together. Of course, while her performance is more than spot on, the show’s producer still insists they only wish to hire women or otherwise back-up dancers who seem to be exclusively men. But, not wishing to give up or give in to the frustrating maneuvering the management seems to be doing, she makes an interesting but risky decision that may or may not pay off. Meanwhile, she is trying to cling to the friendship she enjoys with the younger Shani, whom she may also not realize holds more than friendship in mind. It’s a splendid debut performance by Khan, who displays such a relatable demeanor overall and covers the emotional spectrum well in her acting.
Abdullah is undeniably charming and charismatic in his turn as Alina’s friend and huge admirer Shani, who at only sixteen is more than at that age where notions of crushes and possibly full-on love for someone are kicking into high gear. He fully supports his friend Alina, whom he holds a heavily burning candle for, yet cannot find it within himself to carry forward with his feelings in any way that would actually make Alina aware of it. Even as he accompanies her to the audition, sees the rejection, and comforts her, the move he watches her make in lieu of it all becomes a point of contention for him. Throughout, Abdullah embodies these shifting nuances and his character’s dilemma very well. Supporting turns primarily arrive from rising Pakistani actress Mehar Bano as the club’s premier dancer Shabo, Afgan as another of the venues top talents, Nilo, and Haseeb Khan as the club’s producer.
In total, “Darling” is at its core a delightful though somewhat painful love story encompassed by the larger themes as mentioned above that speaks to many of the main issues being faced socially in the world today while still providing us a chance to root for love while being challenged perhaps to keep an open mind when it comes to how we see ourselves and others. Now, where exactly DID that sacrificial goat make off to?? Curious aren’t you? Watch the film and find out!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
