Drama
United States of America
Hala is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Minhal Baig and released in 2019. It stars Geraldine Viswanathan as the titular character, Hala, a Muslim teenager living in a suburban town in the US. Hala attends high school, where she excels academically and is an aspiring writer. However, her home life is fraught with tension as she navigates the clash between her traditional Muslim upbringing and her desire for independence.
Hala's parents are from Pakistan and hold conservative values. They expect her to act in a certain way, such as wearing a hijab and adhering to strict gender roles, which clashes with Hala's desire to express herself more freely. Hala struggles to reconcile her identity as a Muslim with her desire for autonomy, particularly when it comes to relationships.
Throughout the movie, Hala grapples with her feelings towards her family, her community, and her identity. She also forms a relationship with Jesse (Jack Kilmer), a classmate who shares her passion for creative writing. This leads to a series of turbulent events that challenge Hala's relationships with her family and community.
The movie has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of the intersectionality between religion, culture, and personal identity. It offers a rare look into the experiences of Muslim teenagers in the US and highlights the challenges they face growing up in a world that often misunderstands or misrepresents their culture.
