Ae Fond Kiss ... (film)
Ae Fond Kiss... | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Ken Loach |
Written by | Paul Laverty |
Produced by | Rebecca O'Brien |
Starring | Atta Yaqub Eva Birthistle |
Cinematography | Barry Ackroyd |
Edited by | Jonathan Morris |
Music by | George Fenton |
Distributed by | Icon Film Distribution |
Release dates |
17 September 2004 (United Kingdom) |
Running time | 104 minutes |
Countries | United Kingdom Belgium Germany Italy Spain |
Languages | English Punjabi |
Budget | £3 million[1] |
Ae Fond Kiss... (also known as Just a Kiss) is a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Ken Loach, and starring Atta Yaqub and Eva Birthistle. The title is taken from a Scottish song by Robert Burns, the complete line being "Ae fond kiss, and then we sever..."
Plot
Casim Khan (Yaqub) is a Glaswegian DJ of Pakistani origin. His devout Muslim parents, Tariq and Sadia, have arranged for him to marry his first cousin, Jasmine, and Casim is more or less happy with the arrangement. Casim then meets and falls in love with Roisin (Birthistle), an Irish Catholic working as a part-time music teacher at his sister's Catholic school. Roisin books a short holiday break for them both on seeing an advert in a travel agent's shop window, and while on holiday Casim tells her about the arranged marriage his family are planning for him. They then have to decide whether their love is strong enough to endure without the support of their respective communities.
At the same time, Casim's younger sister, Tahara, struggles to find herself between the bullying of some Scottish schoolmates and her Pakistani relatives. Rukhsana, Casim's older sister, loses her fiancé because Casim's new relationship brings dishonour to the family. Roisin loses her job because the Catholic school's direction does not accept her relationship since she is a married – though separated – woman and because she and Casim are living together.
Roisin is finally moved by her hierarchy to a non-denominational school, Casim confronts his family, begging them to respect his choice before returning to her, while Tahara leaves to study journalism at the University of Edinburgh against her parents' will.
Production
Ae Fond Kiss... was filmed in Pollokshields,[1] a district in the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland.
Home media
The DVD release came out in Britain on selected release on 17 September 2004 on VHS, and on DVD in 2005. It had been released in France on 14 July 2004.
Reception
Critical reception towards the film was generally positive, with many critics lauding both Paul Laverty's script and the strong, naturalistic performances of the non-professional actors involved, however, even those critics supportive of the film tended to see it as one of Loach's lesser films.[2][3][4][5]
Accolades
2004
- Won, Berlin International Film Festival - Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
- Won: Berlin International Film Festival - Prize of the Guild of German Art House Cinemas
- Nominated: Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Bear for Best Motion Picture
- Nominated: British Independent Film Awards - Best Actress (Eva Birthistle), Best Screenplay (Paul Laverty), Most Promising Newcomer (Atta Yaqub)
- Nominated: International Filmfest Emden - Emden Film Award
- Won: European Film Awards - Best Screenwriter (Paul Laverty)
- Won: Irish Film and Television Awards - IFTA Award for Best Actress (Eva Birthistle)
- Won: Valladolid International Film Festival - Audience Award
- Won: Valladolid International Film Festival - Golden Spike Award
- Won: Motovun Film Festival - Propeller of Motovun
2005
- Won: London Film Critics Circle - ALFS Award for Best Actress of the Year (Eva Birthistle)
- Won: César Award - Best European Union Film (Meilleur film de l'Union Européenne)
References
- ^ a b Film File Europe | Production profile
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter, [1], The Guardian, 2004-09-17. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ French, Philip, [2], The Observer, 2004-09-19. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ [3], Metacritic. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ [4], Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
See also
External links