Despite controversy and threats, a Muslim woman takes a stand for justice through a progressive practice of Islam.

Interview with Writer/Director Omar Al Dakheel

Watch Al imam here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! Well, as someone who grew up practicing Muslim in the Middle-East I've never seen a female imam before. So, when I did see a woman on TV who runs an organization called “Muslim for Progressive Values” and leads co-ed prayers and officiates interfaith marriages, I was fascinated and curious to know more. So, that’s when I approached Ani, the female imam to tell her story.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because it shows you a different side of the spectrum about Islam and Muslims. The general image in the Western media is that Muslim women are oppressed and voiceless, but here we show an example of woman who’s vocal and speaking out loud.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Well, the film is personal to Ani’s story with her daughter, mother, and sister as a Muslim advocating for reform and the resistance and backlash she’s getting from family and the public. But, it’s universal to the viewer because a lot of us can identify with family resistance and fighting for what you stand for.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

It evolved a lot. And, that's the hardest part when making a documentary, where you tend to film something but end up getting something else. For example, we film a short interview about something theoretical in Islam and that ends up as a personal family story that makes Ani does what she does now in advocating for progress and reform. So, in the cutting room we ended up having 20 hours of footage that we needed to cut down to 20 minutes. And, that’s when the story got re-shaped and more focused.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Mostly encouraging feedback from inspired audiences, who were refreshed to see this story told. But, also I did receive a lot of objections and warning while making this story from people who didn’t agree.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Both actually. A lot of the American audience in festivals felt this story is similar to what they experienced in their own religions or families. And, a lot of the Muslim audience, especially women, were supportive of the message and were ready for this kind of reform which was surprising for me. I did have challenging point of views from many of the Muslim male audiences who tried to use religious texts to rebuke what Ani stands for like interfaith marriages. But, at the end of the day everyone can interpret the text differently and we shouldn’t ban or mute someone because they don’t agree with our point of view.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Looking to have more people watch our film and experience a difference narrative about Islam.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Considering the film is already done, we just need this film to be more accessible in film festivals and online platforms for people to see it.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

It’s great if it starts conversations and an open a dialogue about reform in Islam and how that's compared to other regions. I think once people are openly allowed to talk about these issues that were silenced for a long time in the Muslim world, it will eventually create change in the mind-sets.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Are men and women spiritually equal? And can a woman be allowed to take a spiritual, leadership role?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We’re going to festivals with a narrative film now called “Ablution” which tackles the issue of sexuality in Islam, which is also another taboo topic that is rarely addressed in the Muslim world.

Interview: March 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Al imam

Despite controversy and threats, a Muslim woman takes a stand for justice through a progressive practice of Islam.

Length: 19 min

Director: Omar Al Dakheel

Producer: Sara Fenton, John Palmer

Writer: Omar Al Dakheel

About the writer, director:

Omar Al Dakheel was born and raised in Kuwait. He graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts. He made "Jihad in Hollywood", featuring Werner Herzog, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Kuwait Int'l Film Festival. He also directed "al imam", following one of the world's few female Imams, which premiered at the Hot Springs Doc Film Festival. His latest narrative film, "Ablution", starring the renowned Arab star Jay Abdo, premiered at Austin Film Festival.

And producer:

Sara Fenton, part of the team at the USC Media Institute for Social Change. She champions the use of media as a vehicle for activism. Sara is an alumnus of the Directors Lab West at Pasadena Playhouse, a company member at Rogue Machine Theatre, and a writer for backstage.com.

John Palmer works in doc, fiction and experimental projects. He has presented screenings for American Cinematheque, Artists Television Access, and Echo Park Film Center. He is committed to fostering inclusivity on both sides of the lens, and is also a long-time volunteer for The Trevor Project, dedicated to suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth.

Key cast: Ani Zonneveld

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Looking for all :)

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alimamdoc/

Twitter: omar_al_dakheel

Instagram: omar_al_dakheel

Other: Website: www.al-imam-doc.com

Funders: University of Southern California

Made in association with: University of Southern California

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

At Annapolis Film Festival March 22-25.