SIXTH HAPPINESS
d Waris Hussein
UK / 1997 / color / 91 minutes
In English.
Subtitled for the deaf and hearing-impaired.

A semi-autobiographical tale based on the book, Trying to Grow by Firdaus Kanga and his experiences growing up as a gay, disabled Parsee in Bombay, Sixth Happiness is a welcome breath of incense-free air.

Kanga, who also wrote the screenplay, also plays the central character in the film, Brit (short for Brittle -- whose bones can break because of a hiccup). The story is told in the first person as Brit takes us through the joys, disappointments, rejections and sexual awakening of his formative years.

Kanga's resists drawing Brit as martyr or victim and audiences benefit from the actor's real-life understanding of the issues explored in the film.

Brit is bright, spiky, opinionated and selfish with a razor-sharp tongue. He prefers the Kama Sutra to Shakespeare and, just to add an additional twist to the tale, does not allow gender to get in the way of his desire for sex (in the film his character is bisexual).

Moreover, the film is grounded in historical events, such as the East-West Pakistani conflict.  It highlights shared experiences, while emphasising the diversity of individuals worldwide.

Back in 1997 when Sixth Happiness was released theatrically, South Asian culture had yet to break into the Western mainstream. Even following the release of successful South Asian-themed films like East is East (1999), Bend it Like Beckham (2002) and Bombay Dreams, Sixth Happiness remains radical and refreshing.

Obligatory Disclaimer: Due to the topical nature of the film and subject matter it deals with, the issues explored in Sixth Happiness may not be suitable for prudish personalities or young children.