Director Mira Nair’s hotly anticipated new film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, revolves around the complicated, and sometimes scandalous, world of international politics—and, in classic Nair fashion, it's wildly entertaining while still having heft. It stars Riz Ahmen, Kate Hudson, and Kiefer Sutherland, and is based on the bestselling novel of the same name. In September, it will make its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, the festival that has become the unofficial start of the Oscar race every year.
Telling the story of a Pakistani immigrant chasing the American Dream, Nair’s timely new film follows the protagonist's mission to climb the corporate ladder on Wall Street while getting swept up in a hostage situation and questioning his loyalties to his home country. Similar to Nair's other films—The Namesake, and the Oscar-nominated Salaam Bombay!— it tackles identity crisis, race, gender and international relations in a way that grabs viewers' attention and resonates with them long after the film has ended. Unlike some directors, Nair is also a passionate public speaker, adept at sharing her insightful views on the world around us from not just behind the scenes, but in the spotlight as well.
