WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Discrimination. Misconception. Tarnished logic. The need for understanding and acceptance. In this tempestuous world so filled with abject hate, anger, and even violence towards others, it is only fair to assess that so much of it stems from an unwillingness to absorb that which we don’t comprehend, much less affirm or recognize as being valid. Yet, when we ARE willing to open the heart and soul to such supposed enigmas, do we more often than not discover astonishing revelation?
For Queer Muslim couple Saira (Divya Dutta) and Sitara (Swara Bhaskar), their marriage and relationship remains a sin in the eyes of Saira’s deeply traditional Ammi (Shabana Azmi). Despite the support of her brother Shanu (Jitin Gulati) and his wife Susan (Priya Malik), it will take all Saira can muster and the dissolving of notions tied to societal norms and personal beliefs to conquer fear, judgement, and estrangement in order to see the all-encompassing power of real love prevail.
Next, my Mind:
I had the distinct honor, and I DO mean honor, of first meeting and interacting with visionary writer/director Faraz Arif Ansari at the 2017 New York Indian Film Festival on the heels of his debuting the absolutely epic LGBTQ short film “Sisak“, which I revisited during the 2018 DFW SAFF as well. What I stated to Faraz was that LGBTQ-themed offerings were not a personal favorite of mine, but that his film single-handedly reshaped and transformed my thinking thanks to the utter artistic, affecting, cinematic potency “Sisak” conveyed. Well, suffice it to say, I had the privilege of advising him yet AGAIN that he’s achieved this for me through his newest, bountifully awarded (DESERVED, DESERVED, DESERVED!) short film that screened as part of the LGBTQ Programming at the 2021 NYC South Asian Film Festival, sponsored by Toyota USA and hosted by Festival Director/Jingo Media Founder Jitin Hingorani and Artistic Director Ambica Dev.
With its fiercely, deeply emotionally-charged tone, unshakably candid intent, magnificently well-written and executed narrative, and undeniably grander, relevent, wholly necessary messages worn firmly on its sleeve, this 30-minute film (having now just won its second Jury Selection “Best of Fests” award in two weeks, the next most recent being at the 2021 DFW SAFF!) immerses us in a queer couple’s potent experiences with defying long-established convention, concepts of individual identity, familial ostracization, and the initially hesitant but ultimately liberating desire for reconciliation and validation through the unrelenting, restorative strength of love. Utterly transcending its foundational LGBTQ thematic core, the effort provides us with a story that deftly and precisely delivers compelling relatability throughout while possessing an influential statement centered on awareness and the growing levels of courageous fortitude the LGBTQ community overall is standing tall within.
While we know that the ongoing plights, disagreements, hatred, and (SO tragically) violence against the LGBTQ community is a worldwide issue, what totally makes this critic stand amazed is the staunch, steadfast, and committed efforts that Ansari has perpetrated through this and his previous film “Sisak” to boldly, aggressively, and with awesomely LOVE-driven purpose proclaim and champion the causes and credibility associated with LGBTQ individuals in India while making the greater essence of it accessible and inspiring for ANYONE, regardless of what gender, age, land lifestyle, whether you agree with it or not. The successes Ansari has gained with these incredible labors continues to allow greater understanding and embracing of it all, and how this film weaves that unmitigated passion into the tapestry of the messages here is nothing short of exceptional. It becomes conclusively, quintessentially evident by the project’s stirring, tear-inducing finale.
Visually, the film is an exercise in straightforward yet fully affecting imagery that so wonderfully highlights the characters, their conflicts, and resolve by giving every actor involved moment upon moment to shine. Likewise, the musical score provides the perfectly orchestrated atmosphere needed to bring out the narrative’s heartfelt poignancy. Veteran, iconic actress Dutta ushers forth a superbly believable, raw, beautifully emotive performance through her role as Saira, a woman whose identity as a non-binary individual has caused entrenched resentment between her and her traditionalist mother, on top of being in a queer relationship, now strained at times as well with the pressures and judgement Saira feels upon herself. When a long overdue get together sees the tensions rise again to their fullest degrees, it becomes a question as to whether both Saira and her mother can ever find the common ground they need to see hurts healed and newfound understanding emerge.
It’s such a harsh yet moving reality Saira resides within, and watching how it all unfolds is unequivocally transforming, with Dutta’s grounded portrayal of such overt vulnerability, indignation, brokenness, and need for acceptance displayed with such impassioned poise here, a total credit to Dutta’s acting prowess. Bhaskar more than impressively holds her own with equal grace and acting style through playing Sitara, Saira’s wife and the more level-headed of the pair, even as her own awkwardness during the dinner gathering that reopens the as-still-unresolved wounds between Saira and her mother. But, Sitara stands firm as Saira’s absolute rock and voice of reason, showcasing the kind of unconditional love a couple should have between them, bearing with her partner with unreserved empathy and compassion, with Bhaskar bringing such a heartwarming and also thoroughly engaging performance to bear.
Iconic actress Azmi is nothing short of amazing for this critic through a performance that is both so purposefully understated yet filled with a fiery intensity as only a veteran actor can feasibly produce via her role as Saira’s mother, a woman totally absorbed in the rich but unwavering, sometimes unforgiving, cultural traditions she knows and that cause her total disdain for her own daughter and the choices she’s made. Attempting her best to put on a brave face, Ammi’s demeanor and sentiments expressed at the dinner gathering ultimately create the friction that ends the evening’s chance for pleasantries and any form of healing between herself and Saira. But, though circumstances and self reflection birthed from it, the path to a new freedom and appreciation that sees beyond all the barriers becomes clear, and Azmi’s portrayal of this is nothing short of magical.
Perfectly enacted supporting roles arrive from Gulati as Saira’s brother Shanu who tried his level best to be a strong supporter of his sister and her heart-wrenching dilemma, Malik as Shanu’s wife Susan who has more than her fair share of playfully awkward moments at the dinner table, and Kalyanee Mulay as Ammi’s house helper Shobha who becomes an unexpected catalyst for change during the proceedings. In total, “Sheer Qorma” stands as a testament to not just its fervently penetrating LGBTQ-centric message, but also as a desperate heart-cry to the entire world, all of humanity, that no matter how you might choose to see any community of people, whether by sexual identity, race, ethnicity, or belief, it is IMPERATIVE that we take it on through the one element that does, with acute potency, vanquish all hate, violence, judgement, misunderstanding, and intolerance–LOVE, folks, LOVE. May we learn to SPEAK, ACT on, and simply LIVE it more.
Miss viewing “Sheer Qorma” at either physical festival? Worry not! Check out the film online when it screens beginning October 25th as part of Virtual SAFF 2021!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
Great review about a sensitive topic.Will definitely try to see it.
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