The crown jewel of the “Spice Islands” off the coast of Mainland Tanzania, the lush archipelago of Zanzibar bears a fascinating but troubled history marked by enslavement and colonial oppression. This adaptation of Adam Shafi’s acclaimed novel takes place in 1954, a pivotal moment when simmering revolutionary sentiment threatened to buck centuries of foreign rule. Fighting for his homeland’s independence from the British-backed sultanate, activist Denge (Gudrun Columbus Mwanyika) attempts to evade the government forces hot on his trail. Meanwhile, Indian-Zanzibari Yasmin (Ikhlas Gafur Vora) escapes an arranged marriage to a much older man, and seeks shelter in the home of her friend Mwajuma (Siti Amina). When Denge and Yasmin meet, they quickly form a passionate connection despite the societal barriers between them and the looming threat of the colonial authorities. Bringing this little-known chapter in the nation’s history to life in richly appointed detail, this stirring, elegant drama marks an ambitious high point in Tanzanian cinema.