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Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS
| Controversial Film "Three Veils" to Premier in LA By StudentFilmmakers.com posted Sep 15, 2011, 12:35 |
Three Veils is a feature film about three young Middle Eastern women whose lives intertwine as they struggle to defy tradition and create their own realities. From an arranged marriage and a lesbian love affair to an abusive family situation, the film daringly tackles some of the issues Middle Eastern women are confronted with today and carries a unique social message that women worldwide can relate to.
Photo courtesy of Zahra Pictures, LLC; Scene from "Three Veils."
(Fullerton, CA) Three Veils, the latest film from Zahra Pictures, will have the Los Angeles Premier at the Egyptian Theater, Hollywood as part of Arpa International Film Festival (Saturday Sept 24 at 5:30pm. Details at: http://affma.org/). The film has been deemed controversial by religious conservatives and received several anonymous death threats, but has also been hailed by audiences and through its 2011 film festival screenings, packing theaters and winning several film awards along the way.
Three Veils is a feature film about three young Middle Eastern women whose lives intertwine as they struggle to defy tradition and create their own realities. From an arranged marriage and a lesbian love affair to an abusive family situation, the film daringly tackles some of the issues Middle Eastern women are confronted with today and carries a unique social message that women worldwide can relate to.
The first film to push the envelope on portraying the struggle of an Arab, Muslim Lesbian, Three Veils is the second film by Arab-American writer/director, Rolla Selbak, whose filmmaking style is flavored with bold and compelling qualities. This resonated well with audiences and critics alike gaining the film several awards so far including: ‘Audience Award for Best Film’ at Portland Intl. Women’s Film Festival, 'Best Film' at San Francisco Women's Intl. Film Festival, the ‘Rainbow Award’ at Honolulu LGBT Film Festival and ‘Honorable Mention’ at the New Jersey Intl. Film Fest and ‘Best Actress in LGBT film: Angela Zahra’ at the NYC Intl. Film Festival.
The film stars Sheetal Sheth, known for her independent film hits The World Unseen and I Can't Think Straight, and Syrian actress Angela Zahra (Bloodless, Maraya), who risked a great deal by her portrayal of a Lesbian Arab woman to bring this issue to the forefront, and is the first film star from the Arab world to ever partake in a Lesbian love-scene. Also starring is the talented and up-and-coming actress Mercedes Masöhn (Chuck, The Finder, Red Sands).
The film’s ensemble cast includes, Arab film star Madline Tabar, the legendary Erick Avari (The Mummy, Heroes), Garen Boyajian (Ararat), Sammy Sheik (United States of Tara), Christopher Maliki (Passions), Anne Bedian and Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera).
Three Veils is produced by Ahmad Zahra under his banner Zahra Pictures, an independent motion picture company based in Southern California, that produces films and documentaries that celebrate cultural diversity and contribute to public dialogue. Previous films include the award winning film, American East, starring Golden Globe winner, Tony Shalhoub and released in 2009 by MGM.
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