A woman has bruises from her husband's abuse; at one point she's seen covered in blood. A man threatens to kill his wife with a gun. A snake enters a shop. A house is set on fire while a teenager is inside.
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A couple kisses while wearing their clothes. A couple has implied sex on two occasions but no sensitive parts are seen. Several women are seen in their bras and underwear when they try them on at the shop.
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The cast and crew are all Malaysian and the film goes back and forth between Malay and English dialogues. The ensemble celebrates women of all ages and body sizes and shows them becoming empowered by stepping out of the sexist rules imposed by their community elders. A woman runs away from her abusive husband and refuses to return to him.
Not judging a book by its cover. Getting to know someone before making up your mind about who they are. The importance of teamwork and compassion for your neighbors and community members.
Positive Role Models
some
Hanie shows the importance of integrity and staying true to who she is. Salihin shows how compassion can be used to understand people he disagrees with. Azura engages in teamwork to help Hanie run her business. Yam protects herself from her husband Ayob by relying on the other women in the village.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that La Luna is a romantic comedy from Malaysia. Violent and scary moments include a snake entering a shop, a woman covered in blood after being beaten by her husband, a man threatening a woman with a gun, and a fire that puts a teenager in danger. Curse words are limited to "assh--e." A character smokes cigarettes in every scene. Sex is implied between couples but nothing sensitive is shown, although women appear in their underwear when they try it on at the shop. The cast and crew are all Malaysian and the film goes back and forth between Malay and English dialogues. In terms of diversity, the ensemble celebrates women of all ages and body sizes and shows them becoming empowered by stepping out of the sexist rules imposed by their community elders. A woman runs away from her abusive husband and refuses to return to him. Positive messages include not judging a book by its cover and the importance of teamwork and compassion for your neighbors and community members. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
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What's the Story?
Hanie (Sharifah Amani) moves into a conservative village in rural Malaysia to open a lingerie shop she calls LA LUNA. Soon she earns the love of the local women, including Azura (Syumaila Salihin), daughter of the chief of police Salihin (Shaheizy Ham), who despite his efforts develops a liking for Hanie. But she also earns the wrath of religious leader Tok Hassan (Wan Hanafi Su), who vows not to rest until the shop is closed.
What a difference a bra makes! In La Luna, the charming romantic comedy from writer/director Raihan Halim, a young entrepreneur named Hanie opens a lingerie shop meant to bring joy and pleasure to the women of the small conservative village where her ancestors are from. The sensuous undergarments incite the wrath of local religious leader Tok Hassan, who won't rest until the shop disappears, and oh does he try.
Despite the story touching on familiar beats (Chocolatcomes to mind often) Halim should be commended for not demonizing the religion in question, but rather making us wonder why some of the rules apply to men and not women. The entire cast is enchanting, with Amani making a dream heroine, always with a smile on, but ready to take on intolerance when she must. This sweet fable should be ideal viewing for the whole family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about intolerance toward new neighbors or members of the community. How would you welcome someone trying to do something unfamiliar to you? Would you reject them or give them an opportunity and get to know them better?
How does Hanie show compassion toward those who think the clothes she sells are bad for the village? How does she show integrity when facing those who want her to leave?
What are the lessons Tok Hassan learns about being more openminded without imposing his beliefs on others?
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By Jose Solis
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