A Ramadan Watchlist
We asked fourteen Muslims for their favorite film by women/femme/non-binary directors.
Ramadan is a sacred time of the year for Muslims; a time of devotion to fasting, prayer and introspection. It is also a time to come together with communities and spend time with each other, whether that is eating, praying or watching TV. Unfortunately, the representation of Muslims in Western media has often been distorted and harmful, perpetuating tired tropes and inaccurate stereotypes. In an effort to amplify authentic voices and stories, Womxn in Windows asked fourteen Muslims from diverse backgrounds what their favorite women/femme/nonbinary-directed film is. While not all of the films directly depict Islamic traditions or culture, they provide a diverse list from the diaspora, which ranges from comedy, tragedy and romance, to drama and documentary, and includes animated films and TV shows. We are grateful to our Muslim contributors for their recommendations, and for offering this insight into their minds. We hope you will enjoy watching this list of work during the holy month.
List of Selected Films (link)
(all trailers linked below)
You Resemble Me - Dina Amer (2022, United States, France, Egypt)
Wadjda - Haifaa al-Mansour (2013, Saudi Arabia)
Yuni - Kamila Andini (2021, Indonesia)
Honey and Ashes - Nadia Fares (1998, Tunisia)
Faya Dayi - Jessica Beshir (2021, Ethiopia)
We Are Lady Parts - Nida Manzoor (2021, United Kingdom)
Sort Of - Bilal Baig (2021, Canada)
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - Zoya Akhtar (2011, India)
A Night of Knowing Nothing - Payal Kapadia (2022, United States)
Appropriate Behavior - Desiree Akhavan (2015, United States)
Persepolis - Marjane Satrapi (2008, France, United States)
Children of Shatila - Mai Masri (1998, Netherlands, Lebanon)
Main Hoon Na - Farah Khan (2004, India)
The Breadwinner - Nora Twomey (2017, United States, Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg)
All titles links to where films can be watched
You Resemble Me
You Resemble Me is a 2021 internationally co-produced drama, directed by Egyptian-American Dina Amer in her directorial debut, from a screenplay by Amer and Omar Mullick. It tells the true story of Hasna Ait Boulahcen, a woman who was falsely accused of being Europe's first female suicide bomber. Cultural and intergenerational trauma erupt in this story about two sisters on the outskirts of Paris. After the siblings are torn apart, the eldest, Hasna, struggles to find her identity, leading to a choice that shocks the world. Director Dina Amer takes on one of the darkest issues of our time and deconstructs it in an intimate story about family, love, sisterhood and belonging.
This film was chosen by Muna Malik [visual artist] who says, “It’s a poetic film that brings to life the story of a woman whose story was silenced.”
Wadjda
Wadjda is a 2012 film by Saudi Arabian director Haifa Al Mansour. It tells the story of a 10-year-old girl named Wadjda who dreams of owning a bicycle, a forbidden object for girls in her conservative society. Determined to make her dream a reality, Wadjda enters a Quran-reciting competition at her school to win the prize money and buy the bike. The film offers a rare glimpse into the daily life and struggles of girls and women in Saudi Arabia, and explores themes of gender, tradition and modernity. Wadjda was the first Saudi Arabian feature-length film directed by a woman as well as the first shot entirely within the country.
This film was chosen by Yasmine Diaz [artist] who says, “Wadjda reminded me a lot of myself at her age! Precocious and crafty!'“
Yuni
Yuni is a 2021 film by Indonesian director Kamila Andini. A thought-provoking coming-of-age story set in Indonesia, the film follows 16 year old Yuni, a school girl trying to escape the pressures of becoming a teenage bride. Despite the heavy subject matter, the story is whimsical, intimate and familiar to any Muslim femme who was expected to grow up too fast. Yuni showcases the pockets of joy that come with girlhood even when the looming expectations of womanhood come too quickly.
This film was chosen by Dena Igusti [poet and playwright].
Honey and Ashes
Honey and Ashes is a 1996 directorial debut by Egyptian Swiss director Nadia Fares, which tells the stories of three women from contemporary North Africa. Caught between tradition and modernity, they seek success in their lives and in their relationships with men. Although their age and social backgrounds differ, their paths cross, bringing to light the multiple obstacles which society has placed in their way. And as with any story about the power of women communicating with one another, it’s also a story of the power of increasing feminist education for girls – something relevant to us all, perhaps especially now.
This film was chosen by Fariha Roisin [writer].
Faya Dayi
Faya Dayi is a 2021 debut documentary film by Mexican Ethiopian director Jessica Beshir. The film is a hypnotic documentary immersion into the world of Ethiopia’s Oromo and Harari communities, places where one commodity - khat (a euphoria-inducing plant once prized for its mystical properties) - holds sway over the rituals and rhythms of everyday life. The film follows a young khat farmer named Yussuf as he harvests and sells the plant to support himself and his family. Through Yussuf's journey, the film offers a poetic and immersive meditation on the history, mythology and social significance of khat in Ethiopian society, as well as the challenges faced by those who rely on it for their livelihoods. With stunning visuals and an evocative score, Faya Dayi is a deeply personal and visually striking portrait of a country and a people often overlooked by mainstream media.
This film was chosen by Ayesha Bashir [filmmaker].
We Are Lady Parts
We Are Lady Parts is a 2021 comedy-drama television series created by British writer and director Nida Manzoor. The show follows the story of an all-female Muslim punk band, Lady Parts, as they navigate their lives in London and try to make it big in the music industry. Each episode explores the band members' personal struggles, including issues related to religion, identity, relationships and career aspirations. With a diverse cast and irreverent humor, We Are Lady Parts offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on the experiences of Muslim women in contemporary Britain. The show has been praised for its authentic portrayal of Muslim culture and for breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam.
This show was chosen by Ifrah F. Ahmed [writer and chef] who says, “It’s so funny! Also makes me feel seen, since I was once a hijabi going to punk shows.”
Appropriate Behavior
Appropriate Behavior is a 2014 comedy-drama film by American director Desiree Akhavan, who also wrote and starred in the film. The story follows Shirin, who is struggling to become an ideal Persian daughter, as well as politically correct bisexual and hip young Brooklynite, but fails miserably in her attempt at all identities. Being without a cliché to hold onto can be a lonely experience. The film explores themes of identity, cultural expectations and sexual fluidity as Shirin tries to find her place in the world and reconcile her desires with her family's expectations. With sharp humor and a unique perspective, Appropriate Behavior offers a fresh and honest portrayal of the challenges faced by young adults trying to find their way in a rapidly changing world.
This film was chosen by Nancy Uddin [writer and model].
Sort Of
Sort Of is a 2021 television series created by Canadian director Bilal Baig. The show follows the story of Sabi Mehboob, a gender-fluid person of Pakistani descent, as they navigate their life in Toronto and explore their relationships with family, friends and romantic partners. The series delves into themes of identity, community and self-discovery, as Sabi grapples with the challenges of being true to themselves while navigating cultural expectations and societal pressures. With a diverse cast and inclusive storytelling, Sort Of offers a refreshing and nuanced portrayal of the experiences of gender-nonconforming people, and the complexities of their relationships with the world around them.
This show was chosen by Nova A. [model and actor] who says “I can confidently say there is no other show like this one! Sabi really illustrates all the awkward, strange and confusing aspects of being a genderfluid Desi person just trying to exist and figuring it out day by day– just like I am right now.“
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a 2011 coming-of-age film by Indian director Zoya Akhtar. The story follows the journey of three friends, Kabir, Imran and Arjun, who go on a bachelor trip to Spain to celebrate Kabir's upcoming wedding. Through their adventures, the friends learn about themselves and each other, as they confront their fears, insecurities and desires. The film explores themes of friendship, love and self-discovery, and features stunning visuals of the Spanish countryside and culture. With a talented cast, lively music and heartfelt storytelling, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a feel-good movie that has become a beloved classic of contemporary Indian cinema.
This film was chosen by Raneen Bukhari [producer]
A Night of Knowing Nothing
A Night of Knowing Nothing is a 2021 documentary film by Indian director Payal Kapadia. The film tells the story of a young woman named Lali, who arrives in Mumbai to attend college and experiences the city's vibrant and chaotic energy. Through a nonlinear narrative, the film weaves together Lali's personal journey with broader themes of social and political unrest, as protests erupt across the city in response to government policies. With dreamlike imagery, poetic narration and a mesmerizing soundscape, A Night of Knowing Nothing offers a unique and immersive cinematic experience that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
This film was chosen by Arshia Fatima Haq [artist, DJ and music archivist].
Persepolis
Persepolis is a 2008 animated biographical drama, based on a graphic novel, by French-Iranian director Marjane Satrapi. It tells the story of her life in pre- and post-revolutionary Iran and then in Europe. The film traces Satrapi's growth from child to rebellious, punk-loving teenager in Iran. In the background are the growing tensions of the political climate in Iran in the 70s and 80s, with members of her liberal-leaning family detained and then executed, and the background of the disastrous Iran/Iraq war. The film's unique black and white hand-drawn animation style and honest portrayal of Iranian culture make it a powerful and thought-provoking experience.
This film was chosen by Jumanah Shaheen [VFX producer].
Children of Shatila
Children of Shatila is a 1998 documentary film by Palestinian director Mai Masri. Farah and Issa, two streetwise children living in Beirut's Palestinian Shatila refugee camp, use their imaginations and creativity to come to terms with the realities of growing up in a camp that has survived massacre, siege and starvation. The film offers a poignant and heartbreaking portrayal of the impact of war and violence on innocent children, and sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.
This film was chosen by Tasnim Boufelfel [filmmaker].
Main Hoon Na
Main Hoon Na is a 2004 Bollywood film by Indian director Farah Khan. The movie follows the story of an Indian Army officer who goes undercover as a college student to protect the daughter of a General from a terrorist threat. Along the way, he must navigate complex relationships with the students and faculty at the college, including a love interest and a rival. The film incorporates elements of action, comedy and romance.
Main Hoon Na was chosen by Sarah Anwer Khan [writer and host] who says “The range of emotions in that film are still mentioned and poorly imitated in Bollywood movies to this day. The makeovers, falling in love, family secrets - and Sushmita Sen in her orange sari ... timeless.”
The Breadwinner
The Breadwinner is a 2017 adult animated film by Irish director, animator and producer Nora Twomey, based on a children’s novel by Deborah Ellis. The film is about Parvana, an 11-year-old girl who lives under Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2001. After the wrongful arrest of her father, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy to support her family. Working alongside a friend, she soon discovers a new world of freedom and danger. Drawing strength from the fantastical stories she invents, Parvana embarks on an epic quest to find her father and reunite her family. The animation, poetry and music are all stunning. Simple yet impactful, The Breadwinner is a story told with sensitivity and inventiveness.
This film was chosen by Zehra Zehra [designer, curator and cultural producer] who says “This film is a reminder of women’s struggle under Taliban rule but more importantly it’s a reminder of the power of family, solidarity and the basic humanity needed to overcome fascism and evil.”
Ramadan Kareem from WxW
Whether you're Muslim or not, a film lover or a casual viewer, we hope this month's watch list expands your understanding of today's world through the lens of women/femme/non-binary directors. Join us in celebrating Ramadan and discovering films and shows that showcase the rich diversity of our world through comedy, tragedy, drama, wit and artistry.
Thank you to the following folks for their contribution: Arshia Fatima Haq, Ayesha Bashir, Dena Igusti, Fariha Roisin, Ifrah F. Ahmed, Jumanah Shaheen, Muna Malik, Nancy Uddin, Nova A., Raneen Bukhari, Sarah Anwer Khan, Tasnim Boufelfel, Yasmine Diaz and Zehra Zehra.