Sabah (film)
Encyclopedia
Sabah is a 2005 film directed by Ruba Nadda
.
The film stars Arsinée Khanjian
as Sabah, a traditional Muslim
woman living in Canada. She falls in love with a non-Muslim Canadian man (played by Shawn Doyle
).
Filmed in Toronto, Nadda had only 20 days to complete principal photography of this project.
living in Toronto
with her family. She is responsible for her mother's well-being. Since her father's death, her brother Majid has been the family authority figure.
His niece, Souhaire, does not want him choosing her husband. His marriage is rocky, and he insists on tradition. Sabah decides to start swimming again; an activity not allowed by Majid. At a city swimming pool she meets Stephen; they're attracted to each other.
Because he's not a Muslim, Sabah hides their friendship from her family.
With passage of time, their relationship gets deep and at one point they share a kiss. Sabah's niece teaches her belly dancing which Sabah enjoys. One day, while visiting Stephen at his carpenter workshop, she decides to stay overnight with him. Informing her mother that she won't be back that night, she dances and has sex with him.
The next day, as she returns home, she faces her mother, brother, sister, sister-in-law and niece who are anxiously waiting for her. After some hesitation, she tells them the truth about her doings in the last few months. Majid responds by announcing that Sabah is no longer a part of the family, as Muslim traditions forbid marriage for Muslim women to non-Muslims. Sabah leaves and Majid decides to take care of their mother.
At Stephen's workshop, Sabah is met by her mother, sister and sister-in-law who insist that she speak to Majid. Majid tells her that the money their father left had run out eight years ago and he is supporting the family himself. Eventually both agree that the family must change. The women of the family are impressed by Stephen and his deep blue eyes.
The film ends with a feast at Sabah's family home. Stephen is mingling with his in-laws and everyone is having a good time.
Ruba Nadda
Ruba Nadda is an Arab Canadian film director. She was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 6 December 1972 to a Syrian father and a Palestinian mother. She made several award-winning short films, including Lost Woman Story, Interstate Love Story, So Far Gone and Damascus Nights before writing and...
.
The film stars Arsinée Khanjian
Arsinée Khanjian
Arsinée Khanjian is an Armenian-Canadian actress and producer. In addition to her independent work and stage roles, she is regularly cast by her husband, Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan, in his films...
as Sabah, a traditional Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
woman living in Canada. She falls in love with a non-Muslim Canadian man (played by Shawn Doyle
Shawn Doyle
Shawn Doyle is a Canadian actor.Doyle was born and raised in Wabush, Newfoundland, the son of actor Jerry Doyle. He moved to Toronto to study theatre at York University....
).
Filmed in Toronto, Nadda had only 20 days to complete principal photography of this project.
Plot
Sabah is a 40-year-old single immigrant from SyriaSyria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
living in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
with her family. She is responsible for her mother's well-being. Since her father's death, her brother Majid has been the family authority figure.
His niece, Souhaire, does not want him choosing her husband. His marriage is rocky, and he insists on tradition. Sabah decides to start swimming again; an activity not allowed by Majid. At a city swimming pool she meets Stephen; they're attracted to each other.
Because he's not a Muslim, Sabah hides their friendship from her family.
With passage of time, their relationship gets deep and at one point they share a kiss. Sabah's niece teaches her belly dancing which Sabah enjoys. One day, while visiting Stephen at his carpenter workshop, she decides to stay overnight with him. Informing her mother that she won't be back that night, she dances and has sex with him.
The next day, as she returns home, she faces her mother, brother, sister, sister-in-law and niece who are anxiously waiting for her. After some hesitation, she tells them the truth about her doings in the last few months. Majid responds by announcing that Sabah is no longer a part of the family, as Muslim traditions forbid marriage for Muslim women to non-Muslims. Sabah leaves and Majid decides to take care of their mother.
At Stephen's workshop, Sabah is met by her mother, sister and sister-in-law who insist that she speak to Majid. Majid tells her that the money their father left had run out eight years ago and he is supporting the family himself. Eventually both agree that the family must change. The women of the family are impressed by Stephen and his deep blue eyes.
The film ends with a feast at Sabah's family home. Stephen is mingling with his in-laws and everyone is having a good time.