Women's Voices from the Muslim World: A Short-Film Festival

FREE for Paley Center Members.
Included with admission for the general public. 

Women's Voices Now solicited films from women of all faiths living in Muslim-majority countries and Muslim women living as minorities around the world. These six packages present the most creative and challenging work that was submitted. The Rubin Museum of Art is featuring the festival's Afghan films. Visit the Rubin Museum of Art for a day of Afghan films from Women’s Voices Now and discussions with Masha Hamilton, Wazhmah Osman, and more: A Focus on Afghanistan, May 21.

Come to the related panel event: Women's Voices from the Muslim World on May 9.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

12:15 pm

Woman Warrior

This program focuses on the women leaders of our time: We meet the head prosecutor of Herat province in Afghanistan, a woman leading a peaceful demonstration in India, a literacy teacher in China, an American poet who speaks out against post-9/11 violence, a female politician in Indonesia, and the first female bus driver in Tehran, Iran. These women are courageous, strong-willed and unapologetic. (84 minutes)

It Is Written, Iran
Half Value Life, Afghanistan
1700% Project: Mistaken for Muslim, USA
Campaign Reservation Express, India
Ms. Ma and Her Literacy Class, China
Somaye, Iran
Anisah, Indonesia
Feminin Masculin, Iran

1:45 pm

Crossroads: The Intersection of Cultural and Religious Norms

This program demystifies some misconceptions commonly encountered about Muslims, Islam, and women living in Muslim-majority countries. Why wear the hijab? Should the burka ever be outlawed? What is honor? Is Sharia law inherently oppressive to women? Tunisia: the space between European and Arab women. To be a lesbian and a Muslim convert. Let's clarify a few stereotypes . . . in song. (83 minutes)

The Unveiled, Qatar
Francaise Etrangere, France
Roghieh, USA
Muslima Q, USA
Is this Honor?, India
Hilla, Bangladesh
Avant Propos, Tunisia
A Land Called Paradise, USA

3:15 pm

Love, Sex, and Other Dangerous Pursuits

This is a sometimes violent, but critical, program. It explores the depths of gender relationships including the desire for a male child, the jealousy between two women who share a husband, the fantasies and lies of teenage girls, a brother's struggle with his sister's violation of the family honor, and a marriage which follows a rape. (84 minutes)

Male and Female, Egypt
Spring ‘89, Egypt
Basita, Lebanon
A Call at Night, Gaza
Tabu, Iran   
In The Morning, USA
It is Written, Iran
Absent Spaces, Lebanon
Her Man, Egypt 

Sunday, May 15, 2011

12:15 pm

Health Taboos

This program explores the health challenges faced by girls and women in Afghanistan, Qatar, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, and Malaysia. From HIV to breast cancer to opium addiction, the subjects of these films struggle against poverty and cultural stigma, while fighting for public recognition and health care. (76 minutes)

Breast Cancer in Qatar, Qatar (CANCER)
Birth of Death, Iran (AIDS)
Carpet Drugged, Afghanistan (ADDICTION)
Nour, Egypt (AIDS)
Womens in a Refugee Camp in Pakistan, Pakistan (MATERNAL HEALTH)
Voice of a Woman Living with HIV, Malaysia (AIDS)
The Sound of the Footstep, Afghanistan (DISABILITY)

1:45 pm

The Slave

Interestingly enough, this program is made up of documentary and experimental films. The documentaries highlight human rights abuses including the trafficking of girls, systematic racial discrimination, and modern day slavery. The experimental films speak to the audience in a different creative vocabulary—taking a step back so we can look more comfortably upon these subjects; making us feel the slave and thus better understand her. (93 minutes)

Breaking the Silence, Yemen
Face, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Enchained, Pakistan
I Accept I Accept I Accept, Pakistan
Behind the Wall, Kyrgyzstan
Paradise Road, Iran
Branded Girls, Bangladesh
The Journey, Bangladesh
Whose Honor?, India
Land of Dragons, India
Post Violence, Iran

3:30 pm

Women At Work

Women are the catalyst for a more prosperous global society. As more than half the world's population, women have incredible earning potential. In fact, studies show that when women are financially empowered, they spend their earnings on nutrition for their families, education for their children, and a growing of their businesses, thus creating further income for themselves and their communities. This program highlights the trailblazers, the women who are the first in their communities to join male-dominated industries. (107 minutes)

Thorns and Silk, West Bank
Jazbaa (A Strong Will), India
For Sogand, Iran
A Garden in Shigar, Pakistan
New Horizons, Iran
Taxi Takes, India
Feminin Masculin, Iran

More information about the individual films can be found on the Women’s Voices Now website.