Eye For Film >> Movies >> Meet Me By The Water (2016) Film Review
Meet Me By The Water is a fascinating, engaging (short) study in intersection and conflict. At its heart is a young woman, Amara (Hiftu Quasem) who is both British/Scottish and, by descent, Asian. Her dream is to travel the world, stopping off first in Chile to study.
Against this must be balanced her duties. Self-imposed, to a grandfather who is ill and needs support: and to a traditional way of life that demands that she settle down and marry. An arranged marriage no less! Which she must contemplate when it is on offer or else, her mother warns her, the proposal will be withdrawn.
Ironically, it is her grandfather who comes to her rescue, telling them both “Those days are gone. You don't need to be married to live your life.”
This is a sweet little film about the dangers of caring too much. Aptly, it starts and ends on the sea shore – by the water, as the title reminds us – a place betwixt and between. Where one world meets another.
Mood is established and built by means of a gentle, unobtrusive soundtrack. The backdrop swings from the bleak of a Scottish exterior to the genuine warmth of a community event, where Amara, in traditional dress, is yet again attempting to negotiate between her worlds.
A great film from Glasgow-based screenwriter and director Raisah Ahmed.
Reviewed on: 23 Feb 2020
