An Arabic word, Barzakh, can refer to the transition between death and eternal life. At funerals, because the righteous and deceased loved one is about to reach a garden of paradise, some devout Muslims express their grief in a reserved way.
But when Zena (Michelle Rambharose) is at the graveside of her beloved Uncle Moneer (Anand Rajaram) in the short film “Purgatory”, she starts sobbing loudly. That draws a sharp rebuke from Aunty Hadiya (Premika Leo). It’s one of many memorable moments in this enlightening 19-minute comedy-drama written and directed by Toronto playwright and artist Nikki Shaffeeullah.
Zena is a smart, young queer woman who suddenly develops a metaphysical side when she comes under stress. And Aunty Hadiya has a way of bringing this on by disapproving of her loving relationship with Barb (Bessie Cheng).
“With Purgatory I am attempting to resist the tumult of what one might expect from a queer Muslim tale—coming-of-age, incompatible identities, repressed desires, violence,” Shaffeeullah said about her film. “Instead I offer a strange, irreverent collage of beauty: queers in love, sibling solidarity, tables full of food, a community in double diaspora that fumbles toward care, poop jokes, poetry, and a little bit of magic.”
The acting is outstanding. Rambharose’s believability is matched by her compelling screen presence. The supporting actors—Jivesh Parasram, Rajaram, Leo, Cheng, Rebecca Ablack and Rashaun Johnson—all hit the mark with their performances. Composer and sound designer David Mesiha ably reinforces the various moods with well-placed musical choices.
“Purgatory” is at times funny, heartwarming, and thoughtful in its nuanced look at an extended Muslim family at an emotional moment in their lives. Not only that, it offers an ideal antidote to anyone who’s had their fill of Islamophobic tropes coming out of Hollywood and Bollywood in recent years.
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