It's a Wonderful Afterlife (2010)

Intro

A film by Paul Mayeda Berges and Gurinder Chadha, released in the UK on 21 April 2010 (release dates for other countries are listed on the IMDB).

Overview

Blending comedy, horror, and romance, It's a Wonderful Afterlife focuses on Punjabi widow Mrs Sethi's highly unconventional approach to finding a husband for daughter Roopi. Once the young woman is married, the widow hopes to join Roopi's father in the afterlife. The arrival of a group of ghosts (including the kindly Jewish lady, Mrs Goldman), whose own passage to the afterlife is dependent on Mrs Sethi's actions, increases the urgency of the quest.

Cast

Shabana Azmi ... Mrs Sethi

Goldy Notay ... Roopi Sethi

Ray Panthaki ... Jazz Sethi

Sendhil Ramamurthy ... D.S. Murthy

Sally Hawkins ... Linda

Zoë Wanamaker ... Mrs Goldman

Sanjeev Bhaskar ... Curry Man

Shaheen Khan ... Kebab Woman

Ash Varrez ... Naan Man

Adlyn Ross ... Rolling Pin Woman

Jimi Mistry ... Dev

Mark Addy ... D.I. Smythe

Don Warrington ... Chief Superintendent

Jamie Sives ... Detective Hughes

Jack Gordon ... Ari

Steve Jones ... News Reporter

Crew

Director/Producer: Gurinder Chadha
Executive Producer: Paul Mayeda Berges
Executive Producer: Chris Curling
Co-Producer: Michelle Fox
Cinematography: Dick Pope
Production Designer: Nick Ellis
Costume Designer: Jill Taylor
Sound Designers: Niv Adiri and Glenn Freemantle
Special Make-up Effects Artist: Nikkie Grimshaw
Make-up Artist: Kay Bilk
Make-up Artist: Deborah Jarvis
Original Music: Craig Pruess
Film Editor: Oral Norrie Ottey

Notes

It's a Wonderful Afterlife's mix of genres greatly appeals to Zoë. 'For me, the story felt unique and yet also akin to those Ealing comedies that felt quite outrageous,' she has remarked (see 'The Blithe Spirits in It's a Wonderful Afterlife' article).

Zoe has praised the film's director, Gurinder Chadha, describing her as 'fearless and strong' (the comment appeared in a Press Association article that is no longer online).

Co-star Sendhil Ramamurthy was thrilled to work alongside Zoë for the film. 'I remember when I was at drama school in London, queuing for returns to see Zoe Wanamaker, and then I was doing scenes with her,' he told BBC News.

During the London premiere of It's a Wonderful Afterlife, held on 12 April 2010, Zoe and other cast members/guests were briefly interviewed by Filmclub, Leicester Square TV, PremiereScene, and TheFanCarpet. Photos of Zoe on the red carpet are available from Zimbio. Shortly before the film's preview screening began, director Gurinder Chadha introduced the cast to the audience.

Press coverage

It's a Wonderful Afterlife 'manages to find and create humour all around', enthused Leo Owen at the Collective Review. George Nott, writing for On the Box, praised its 'broad appeal'.

Merchandise

It's a Wonderful Afterlife Region 2 DVD

It's a Wonderful Afterlife soundtrack CD