Hala
Seventeen-year-old Pakistani American teenager Hala (Geraldine Viswanathan) struggles to balance desire with her familial, cultural and religious obligations. As she comes into her own, she grapples with a secret that threatens to unravel her family. Written and directed by Minhal Baig and executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, Hala was an official selection of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.
Director:
Minhal Baig
Cast:
Geraldine Viswanathan, Jack Kilmer, Purbi Joshi, Azad Khan, Gabriel Luna
Screenplay:
Minhal Baig
Screening Date:
Nov 16, 2019
Studio:
Endeavor Content, Overbrook Entertainment, 3 Arts Entertainment
Running Time:
1h 34m
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.0% | 40.0% | 30.0% | 2.5% | 2.5% |
“A very touching film! Although a personal story it has universal
appeal. I am sorry that it will not have a wide distribution. (Ed.
Note: Actually it will on Apple TV+) The film should be made
available at more art theaters.”
“A beautiful and touching coming-of-age story. I liked how
Hala-centric the film remained, and that the filmmaker didn’t
get overly distracted with focus on the characters who were
Hala’s collateral damage. Also great evolution in depiction of
the father and his shift to a micro aggressive husband and
father.”
“I thought it was good but not great. I liked it but slow. It
touched so many coming-of-age issues like sexual awakening
and how to deal with feelings, parental conflicts, push for
independence and separation. The part when she went to the
teacher in evening didn’t ring true. The teacher should have
realized the consequences. Why did the filmmaker not have
Hala talk to Jesse about her feelings and what had happened.
Was a story worth telling. Ultimately an important topic.”
“Wonderful guest! Coming of age as a young woman steps into
the real world.”
“Beautifully done. One question - is the little girl who is
daughter of dad’s mistress suppose to be her sister?”
“Coming of age cliché, disappointing! Too many devices, key
friends, father’s unfaithfulness, Pakistan roots, mother who
speaks no English, etc. Could have been much more
interesting!”
John – great guest! Minhal has talent way beyond her years,
and not afraid to be provocative. Look for her for future films.
‘Hala goes to College?’”
“Very cool to see Anna Chlumsky from MY GIRL play a role
here. A coming-of-age film from another generation meets the
realities of many teens in America today. And by the way she
gives a terrific performance!”
“Loved the story of her Mother telling her how her name was
chosen. We shape our children from the beginning until the
moment they leave. Good luck in college!”
“American culture was clearly not the only thing facing this girl.
So perceptive of Nora in A DOLL’S HOUSE. Should have been
able to understand better the position of her mother and
relationship to her father. A 14-year-old girl should also
understand that by her behavior she was able to compromise
the position of her teacher. Poor man, he tried to be
professional and lost his job for it. Teachers - take heed!”
“A very perceptive film and a very articulate writer/director.
Wonderfully edited.” Thanks Jeanne
“Great that people with money and power such as Jada Pinkett
Smith (who has a daughter of her own) can help films like this
get made.”
“A great mix of highly personal family tales and understated
cultural issues, as simple as gym class with sweat pants or a
skateboard. Yet all are framed by a classic tale of dueling
parents.”
“I didn’t think think Hala was a realistic character. The script
needed work, she’s too idealized in some scenes.”
“Family secrets not as expected.”
“Teen girls have addictions! I challenge the teacher opening
the door to her sleeping over. Engages a taboo that teachers
would not accept.”
“Austere cinematography, sets and extras are minimal, even
editing kept to a minimum. These maybe because of budget,
maybe to convey that she often feels alone in a modern world.
In either case it works very well.”
“I liked the film a lot, I liked the film and filmmaker a LOT more
after the discussion. She is so young to have created such an
insightful perspective on those challenging years.”
‘Very real emotions. We care about Hala and the characters.”
“I enjoyed this film very much, especially the relationship and
becoming stronger despite the father. I also liked the allusions
including A DOLLS HOUSE and Langston Hughes and even in
some sense Shakespeare and the Romeo and Juliet subplot
between Jesse and Hala. The only misstep for me was the plot
line including the English teacher and the removal from the
classroom because of Hala’s actions which it seems to me sends
a problematic message, yes the male teacher has power but he
has also been unfairly punished.”
“A lovely nuanced exploration of a young woman’s struggle to
define and be true to herself in a world where there are no
crossword puzzle right answers. Her evolution and that of her
relationship with her mother is completely believable. The one
plot element that felt false to me was Hala’s attempt to kiss her
teacher followed by his disappearance from the story.”
“A contrived story, a mix of religion, teenage angst and
feminism. Too slow moving.”
“A truly remarkable film. So many films have been written
about that coming-of-age time by filmmakers from Truffaut to
John Hughes. The mix of culture and heritage never more
poignant.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
Interview with Geraldine Viswanathon and Director, Minhal Baig. They discuss the intentions behind the film and audience's perspectives. "I made it so people would feel a little less alone..." - Minhal Baig. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk-0XJzCe_8
The New York Times insight and review on Hala. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/movies/hala-review.html
Minhal Baig opens up about Hala - article from Variety - https://variety.com/2019/film/news/minhal-baig-opens-up-about-her-debut-drama-hala-1203327591/
