One associates racism with malevolent intent. The Canadian film “Foreigner” acknowledges malevolent racism also suggesting racism can possibly be “polite”, based more in ignorance than malevolence.
Yasamin (Rose Deghan) is a newly arrived Iranian teenager to British Columbia living with her widower father (Ashkan Nejati) and her grandmother Zoreh (Maryam Sadeghi). There are hints Yasamin’s mother succumbed to the vicissitudes of mental illness.
Understandably Yasamin is desperate to “fit in” at her new school. Valley Girls, or better said as this is Vancouver, North Van bible study girls, led by Queen Bee Rachel (Chloë MacLeod) appear anxious to welcome Yasamin into their circle. The North Van girls are overplayed, perhaps intentionally. They are profoundly ignorant about any culture other than North Van and they are pleased it seems, to meet their first Muslim! A good deal of amusement awaits the viewer as these are not overtly Mean Girls but their pleasing exterior may mask a vindictive and evil nature.
Yasamin rejects her Iranian culture in her desperation to fit in including a blond hair dye job but discovers recognizing her own identity through her experiences is more important than fitting in. Somewhat polemic you may find.
At times a bit of “Carrie”, “ET”, “Mean Girls”, “The Exorcist”, a rather lame Government of Canada Citizenship Video and a few satirical jabs at evangelical Christians.
Deghan certainly plays the role perfectly and her grandmother played by Maryam Sadeghi oozes love and empathy at precisely the right times.
You may watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iav4c1HG2Ug&t=1s
Directed and written by Ava Maria Safai.
Plays at Fantasia in Montreal on 31July and 2August2025.
RKS 2025 Canadian Film Rating 67/100.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 