The Hero Wears Hijab
A Film Review

by Phyllis Chesler
Pajamas Media
July 24, 2008

http://www.phyllis-chesler.com/321/the-hero-wears-hijab-brick-lane

Excerpt:

There is a certain kind of film that casts a spell over its viewers: You enter its reality as if the film is your own private dream and its' languorous, dream-like effect lingers long after you've left the theatre. Brick Lane is such a film.

Yes, I know, the film has been out for awhile. Call me old-fashioned but I think that some things are worth thinking and writing about forever, not just as breaking news and potential fish wrap.

I wanted to see how well the film portrayed immigrant Muslim life in London. Would it focus only on British-Caucasian racism or only on Muslim charges of "Islamophobia?" The film shows us both realities–but since it is a work of art, not merely another television-like piece of entertainment, it shows us much more, but very quietly, softly. The film is told from it's heroine's point of view.

Read the complete original version of this item...

Related Topics:  Culture Wars & Censorship, Islamic Gender & Religious Apartheid receive the latest by email: subscribe to phyllis chesler's free mailing list