| Hala | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Minhal Baig |
| Written by | Minhal Baig |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Carolina Costa |
| Edited by | Saela Davis |
| Music by | Mandy Hoffman |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Apple Original Films (throughApple TV+) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Hala is a 2019 Americandrama film written and directed byMinhal Baig. The film was screened in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at the2019 Sundance Film Festival, and was released in alimited theatrical release on November 22, 2019, followed by digital streaming on December 6, 2019, byApple TV+. The film received generally positive reviews. It is based on a previous short film by Baig made in 2016 by the same name.[1]
Hala Masood is a seventeen year oldPakistani American Muslim girl struggling with the clash of her family's values versus her desires. Her mom worries about Hala being near boys and skateboarding, while she has a secret crush on a boy in her school named Jesse, who's a non-Muslim (it's expected Hala will have hermarriage arranged with a Muslim man). Things gradually come to a head as Hala is drawn toward Jesse, against her family's wishes. In the meantime, she learns her parents' marriage has problems she never knew of before.
In November 2017,Geraldine Viswanathan,Jack Kilmer,Anna Chlumsky,Gabriel Luna,Purbi Joshi and Azad Khan joined the cast of the film, withMinhal Baig directing from a screenplay she wrote.[2]
It had its world premiere at theSundance Film Festival on January 26, 2019.[3] Shortly after,Apple TV+ acquired distribution rights to the film.[4] It was released in alimited theatrical release on November 22, 2019, followed by digital streaming on December 6, 2019.[5]
Hala received positive reviews from film critics. It holds an 86% approval rating on review aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, based on 37 reviews, with an average of 7.4/10.[6] The critics consensus reads, "Supported by a powerful central performance by Geraldine Viswanathan,Hala offers an insightful look at a young woman's journey of self-discovery." OnMetacritic, the film holds a rating of 75 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[7]
In a positive review forThe AV Club, Saloni Gajjar praised the film for shining "a new light on the tropes of teenage self-discovery".[8] Writing forVariety, Amy Nicholson praised Baig's "naturalistic touch" and Viswanathan's performance, saying it proved "her range and, hopefully, longevity".[9] Criticism was directed at the second half of the film, with Beandra July, writing forThe Hollywood Reporter, criticizing the film's "choppy, incoherent finish".[10]