In a sea of kung-fu kicks and leaps, asserting that she is “the fury” with every roundhouse action, Polite Society’s surprise heroine – Ria Khan (Priya Kansara) – dominates each frame of this oft-rowdy, always charming, entirely unpredictable comedy that celebrates its South Asian femme culture with a ferocity often relegated to their male counterparts.
Combative action, high school comedy and Bollywood spectacle play out in equal measure throughout as Ria takes it upon herself to “save” her sister (Ritu Arya) from a marriage she believes is more perverse than passionate; nothing a well choreographed kidnapping plan won’t fix. Right?
Polite Society speaks to the love of a sisterly bond, it raises women up, and through the art of honouring the film’s Pakistani nature, it translates the coming-of-age narrative of a young girl finding her voice and her place into a gorgeously over-the-top martial arts extravaganza.
Polite Society is screening in cinemas from April 28th.
Bonus: How to eat like Polite Society
BBQ Tonight Restaurant Brisbane
If Polite Society doesn’t inspire you to feed your own fury by taking up martial arts, perhaps satisfying your palate might be the way to go. Hailed as Brisbane’s “first authentic Pakistani restaurant”, if you’re looking to spice things up, this inner s charmer serves up traditional Pakistani and Indian treats, ranging from their chicken and veg pakora to spicy lamb hooves and vindaloo curry.
