"Sabah" is a wonder, as not only was it a very enjoyable film but according to IMDb it was filmed in only 20 days! For young filmmakers, it's a great lesson on how to film a movie economically and quickly--and it's a nice film for those romantics out there.Sabah is a 40 year-old Muslim woman. Her family is originally from Syria but they've lived in the Toronto area for many years. But, despite their living in a western culture, Sabah's family is holding firm to their old world customs. Sabah is not happy but she's resigned herself to this existence. However, one day, on a lark, she decides to go swimming--something adult women are not normally allowed to do (unless the pool is 100% segregated--women only). However, this tiny act of defiance turns out to eventually unleash Sabah's repressed feelings. So, when she meets a nice non-believer there and finds she likes him, she is, in essence playing with fire--as her family is bound to be furious. The two begin dating--but Sabah is sure to hide this from everyone--and her boyfriend is, not surprisingly, pretty miserable with this arrangement. What happens next? See this very nice film for yourself and see for yourself! While the film is not without its flaws (the resolution comes about way too simply and perfectly), it's nice viewing--and very nice for couples who want to watch a so-called 'chick flick'. Plus, it addresses some interesting cultural difficulties in the process. Well worth watching.

i liked the film a lot. when i was watching it, i knew something important was missing from the film. but it was so sweet that i didn't care. then i watched 'Suzie Gold' and understood what was missing. it was something called' maturity'.the film had the basic framework.it needed a little more detail work . also the ending, for someone like sabah, wouldn't have been so easy in reality. the battle is not only with ur family, but also with urself, with that feeling of belonging to ur community, with ur loyalty towards religious practices,with ur daily habits, inhibitions. sabah made it a little too easy.still,the film felt nice and warm.the lead actress did a brilliant job.and the chemistry of the couple - made my toe curl.though i was a little irritated with all the belly dancing,others might like it !

Sabah, a Syrian Muslim girl living with her family in Canada. Her father is dead, she is taking care of her mother, while her brother, a dominating Muslim male type, takes care of the whole family. She's about 40 years old, single. One day, she meets Stephen, a non-Muslim Canadian, and they start to like each other.Sabah, wears a Hijab. She met Stephen at a swimming pool, the only way where she can escape from her brother and his restriction. As she struggles with her self to take off her hijab, and get into her swimming suite, and enjoy some freedom away from her family's eyes. Stephen was like a bless, to have someone, specially a 'foreigner', to actually like her.Obviously, the clash of civilizations begin.Nobody can deny that this is a complicated issue, and reality is harsh for a big part of Muslim women. Bad use and interpretation of religion, ignorant cultural traditions has it's impact on Muslim and Arabic women till today.In order for a filmmaker to approach and explore such a difficult subject cinematically, the film with all it's components should be hired in an 'artistic' way to be able to convince people of it's case. If the artistic quality is low, it will affect the plot, the judgment, and it will turn into bad propaganda. Roba Nadda clearly had a message to deliver, but it failed miserably, this is bad propaganda.Even for a non-practicing Muslim like me, I find this very. Infusing ridiculous events and scenes to get the viewer's attention is really a cheap way to handle such topic. The prayer and cleavage scene, the over-used oriental dancing scenes, the Muslims don't do this and that (although it is real), and the mother's ridiculous character with her cheap B-movie acting, and not to forget using music to stir up emotions, really (Spoiler coming up) There is a problem, but the film doesn't provide a 'real' solution, they don't approach it from a religious point of view, or even cultural. Through the film's length, all problems are shown, Sabah tells Stephen why she can't do this and that, until the development of the story to a dramatic acceptance, and a cheap ' Happily Ever After' ending. Just to be fair, Arsinée Khanjian acting was good, other than that, this is worthless.

A beautiful, funny and entertaining story which brings back memories of another indie Canadian film a few years ago called DOUBLE HAPPINESS by Mina Shum. Sabah is the name and film title about a 40 year old single Muslim woman who meets and dates a non-Muslim man and tries to hide it from her domineering brother who's in charge of running the family. Sounds serious but it's a light hearted comedy which has some serious moments. Story is about family loyalty, romance and friendship. Great performances by the beautiful and one of Canada's most outstanding actresses, Arsinee Khanjian as Sabah and Shawn Doyle as her non-Muslim boyfriend, well-known series lead from the Canadian TV series "The Eleventh Hour". Overall, a wonderful film. Thumbs up and hope it's a Genie contender this year.