Layla
- Director: Amrou Al-Kadhi
- Writer: Amrou Al-Kadhi
- Producer: Farhana Bhula, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Mary Burke, Emily Everdee, Kristin Irving, Savannah James-Bayly, Emily Precious, Samantha Spellman
CGiii Comment
Whether unintentional (or, indeed, intentional), all Amrou Al-Kadhi's writing does is to cast a blinding spotlight on the giant [unspeakable] chasm that exists between 'the Queers' and 'the Gays'. It really is a case of either the 'queer' way or no way. Albeit very colourful, it doesn't make pleasant viewing at all.
The other problem with this story is with Layla his-her-their-self, he-she-they is less of a conundrum and more of a hypocrite...being non-binary, bogged down with pronouns, Muslim, constantly in-and-out-of-their-non-binary-closet...Layla is simply reduced to being a character within a character and Amrou Al-Kadhi doesn't take even attempt to take the more complex route that this character so desperately needed...instead, he chose a more whimsical, less challenging pathway that leads to a rather anti-climactic destination. Basically, Layla ends up in more-or-less the same place as he-she-they started from. The detour is simply lost to hindsight.
Bilal Hasna (as Layla) delivers a mighty fine performance...with the given script. A script that needed more soul-searching, less preaching...a succinct and lasting purpose would have helped this film enormously. As a debut feature and as watchable as it is - with some notable flourishes - Layla needed to challenge the audience to the brink...non-binary is a contentious topic, exploit it.
Amrou Al-Kadhi, in future, avoid the safe route...be contentious!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
When Layla, a struggling Arab drag queen, falls in love for the first time, they lose and find themself in a transformative relationship that tests who they really are.
Amrou Al-Kadhi’s propulsive direction shines alongside Bilal Hasna’s breakout performance, and while Layla, the character, may be going through some qualms about identity, the film itself is a proud queer love story — with all the complications involved. Under Al-Kadhi’s care, the audience is ushered into the sanctity of queer spaces, the nightclub and the beauty supply store, places for more than just entertainment, doors to a more embodied, honest existence, a home, an Eden of sorts. Al-Kadhi is unafraid to question who isn’t welcome in these spaces and the isolation one faces when certain demarcation becomes too clear to ignore. Layla is a tale of self-acceptance and community love, so come for some fun and boogie to all the club hits! There’s plenty of sparkle to go around.—AE
Cast & Characters
Bilal Hasna (as Layla)
Louis Greatorex (as Max)
Safiyya Ingar (as Princy)
Terique Jarrett (as Felix)
Darkwah (as Lucilla)
Sarah Agha (as Fatima)
Rebecca Lucy Taylor (as Emily)
Buket Kömür (as Sara (as Buket Komur))
Emma McDonald (as Areej)
Adam Howden (as Guy)
Tim Bowie
Aetheria Angel (as Friend)
Alexis Meshida (as Shop owner)
Smilla (as Wedding Guest)
Huw Morgan (as Man in Sauna)
Ghazi Al Ruffai (as Travis)
Baby
Latifa AL Khalifa Bellamy (as Wedding Guest)
Edison Alcaide (as Man on phone)