MARIAM: A Rare Portrait of the Coming of Age of a Muslim Teenage Girl
This film tells the story of a French Muslim teenager, MARIAM, who must choose between her hijab and going to school when France passes a law in 2004 banning religious symbols from public schools. It was the awarded the Special Jury Prize at 2015 Dubai International Film Festival, screened at UNESCO as part of the commemoration of the 2015 International Day of Peace and is scheduled to play at many upcoming festivals around the world.
Faiza Ambah is a Saudi filmmaker with a background in journalism. She was Gulf Correspondent for The Washington Post before leaving in 2009 to focus on filmmaking. She has been supported by the Sundance Institute through the Rawi Screenwriters’ Lab in Jordan, the Dubai International Film Festival, and the Doha Film Institute.
The film will be followed by a panel discussion that will spark conversations on Islamophobia, the diversity of the Muslim experience, a women’s choice to wear a veil, the assimilation and acceptance of Muslims in the West, and other relevant topics.
Held at the Southbury Public Library, please RSVP by calling 203-707-0710.
