Movie Description
In 1972, an Indian lawyer and his family flee their home as Idi Amin seizes power. The lawyer will never forget the pain and indignity he suffered. Nearly 20 years later the family has settled in Mississippi and the lawyer's adult daughter, Mina (Sarita Choudhury) falls in love with a young black business entrepreneur, Demetrius (Denzel Washington). Their affair causes a rift in the community and forces the lovers' families to examine their ideas about racial and class differences while avoiding scandal.
| Credits | | Cast: | Roshan Seth, Sarita Choudhury, Sharmila Tagore |
Notes
First English-language film for Indian director Mira Nair.
Nominated for the Best Picture Independent Spirit Award by the IFP/West. Screenplay received the Osella d'Oro Award for Best Screenplay at the 1991 Venice Film Festival.
Dedicated to the memory of Mohamed Oreste Wafula.
Masala is a mixture of multicolored spices used in Indian food.
Estimated budget $4-5 million.
Filmed in Greenwood, Mississippi, and Kampala, Uganda. Filming began August 27, 1990; completed October 13, 1990.
Screened at the 1991 Venice Film Festival (in compeetition), the Tokyo International Film Festival (Women's Film Week), the American Film Market, the London Film Festival and the Stockholm Film Festival; also the 1992 Palm Springs International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival.
Released in New York City February 5, 1992, with an expanded release February 14, 1992 and a wider release February 28, 1992. Released on video September 9, 1992.
Reviewed in the New York Times on February 5, 1992, and the Los Angeles Times February 14, 1992.
Editorial Reviews
"...A big movie in terms of talent, geography and concerns....[Washington and Choudhury] work well together..."
Canby
"...Winsome..."
Film Comment - Harlan Kennedy (11/01/1991)
"...Charming and exuberant....Choudhury and Washington achieve an unforced intimacy..."
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (02/14/1992)
"...Washington has a powerful, no-nonsense quality that works well in the role..."
Los Angeles Times - Peter Rainer (02/14/1992)
"...Surprisingly funny and cheerful at times....Denzel Washington is an actor of immense and natural charm, and he makes a good match with Sarity Choudhury..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (02/14/1992)
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