Lesbian romance coming "Straight" to theaters

By Gregg Goldstein

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - "I Can't Think Straight," a cross-cultural lesbian romantic comedy written, directed and produced entirely by women, has been picked up for North American distribution by indie firm Here! Films.

The film charts the unexpected romance between Tala (Lisa Ray), a vivacious Christian woman from Palestine, and Leyla (Sheetal Sheth), a shy Muslim woman from India. When they meet in London just before Tala's planned wedding, sparks fly between them and their families.

It is based on the novel by British-born author Shamim Sarif, who also directed.

Here! sister co. Regent Releasing will distribute Sarif's other feature, the South African-set period lesbian romance "The World Unseen" on November 7 in New York, Los Angeles and Toronto. "Straight" will bow in the same cities two weeks later, followed by additional regional markets.

Sarif based both directorial efforts on her novels of the same name and both star the same actresses. Bollywood actress and model Ray ("Water") sparked controversy in India last year when it was revealed she would be playing a lesbian.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter