One of the bigger studio movies to screen at SxSW this year, Universal & Focus Features’ POLITE SOCIETY is coming out in late April and I was really happy to attend an early screening at the Zach Theatre to a really enthusiastic crowd.
ABOUT: A merry mash up of sisterly affection, parental disappointment and bold action, “Polite Society” follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan who believes she must save her older sister Lena from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.
JASON’S REACTION: POLITE SOCIETY is a lot of fun from beginning to end. While the references to Tarantino and Kung Fu movies are all there on screen, I have never heard of these performers or filmmakers before and it’s a joy to see all of this new talent on screen. The two sisters who are at war with an arranged marriage is a solid forbidden romance dramedy while at the same time being a coming of age story like fellow SxSW title BOTTOMS involving high school drama in the mix. Oh, and it mixes many Eastern cultures with Kung Fu along with Indian ideals in such a lighthearted manner. Filmmaker Nida Manzoor has a lot of fun poking at a Tarantino narrative with chapter titles, big bold title cards and an eclectic soundtrack that all revolves around unique girl power led by Priya Kansara as Ria, a total superhero. Bonus points go to the lead’s two best friends including a total find in Ella Bruccoleri as Alba, who has one of the most expressive and funniest faces I have seen at the festival. Even with all of this, the movie isn’t vulgar or violent and would even be suitable for younger audiences who I think would be inspired by Ria’s kick-butt journey. Universal/Focus Features is releasing this one in April and while some of the names aren’t familiar I hope the premise attracts a lot of attention.
This film and many others like it showed at South By Southwest this year from March 10-19. For more information on this and other titles, point your browser to www.sxsw.com!