Annual Middle East Film Festival, 2009 

Cook-Dewitt Center 7:00 PM

 DETROIT UNLEADED (2007)

Monday, September 28

Running time 20 minutes. 

Special Appearance by Director Rola Nashef

 At an Arab-American gas station in Detroit, we learn about neighborhood and family realities in this “comedy-drama.”  A feature film based on this short film is currently in development.  In English and Arabic.

  Following the film: Musical performance by the Salaam Band

ARRANGED (2008)

Tuesday, Sept 29

Running time 90 minutes.  Directors Stefan Schaefer and Diana Cerespo.

 A pair of young first-year Brooklyn school teachers, one an observant Moslem the other an observant Jew, share such struggles as the threat of arranged marriages.  Barb Roos (School of Communications) will introduce the film.

 ARUSI PERSIAN WEDDING (2009)

Wednesday, September 30

Running time 63 minutes    

Special Appearance by Director Marjan Tehrani

Challenges facing the Iranian-American director, her brother and his fiancé when they return to Iran from the USA to have a traditional Iranian wedding.   Archival footage and contemporary interviews portray the complexities of US and Iranian relationships over decades: this is history grounded in personal stories.  

SLING SHOT HIP HOP (2008)

Thursday, Oct. 1

Running time  88 minutes 

Special Appearance by Director Jackie Reem Salloum

 A documentary about contemporary Palestinian hiphop.  Filmed in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.  A theme is that protest though music is better than through violence.  Includes Archival footage of Palestinian/Israeli hostilities.