BAMcinématek presents “Muslim Voices: The Female Perspective,” March 26-31, seven feature films, which explore women’s lives in the Muslim world.
The series celebrates the diversity of cinematic creation from countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran and Lebanon. The films start March 26 with Havana Marking’s documentary “Afghan Star” (2009), about the Afghan-version of the American Idol phenomenon, followed by “Under the Bombs” (March 27), a searing portrait of a Shiite woman in war-torn Lebanon, shot in semi-documentary style, and the Oscar-nominated festival hit “Persepolis” (March 28), an adaptation of Marjane Satrapi’s beloved graphic novel of the same name, featuring the voice talents of Chiara Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve.
The centerpiece of the series, another film that examines the lives of Muslim youth by Jafar Panahi, is “Offside” (March 29), about a group of die-hard young soccer fans, who happen to be girls, and are therefore banned from the stadium. Under the pretext of shooting another less-provocative film, the intrepid, indefatigable Panahi went ahead and made “Offside” without authorization. This timely screening is made even more poignant with Panahi’s current political struggles.
The series continues with a lighter touch in the sexy, stylish romantic comedy, “Caramel” (March 30), before concluding March 31 with “Viva Laldjérie,” a look at the plight of Muslim women in Algeria across multiple generations.
BAM Rose Cinemas is at 30 Lafayette Avenue. Tickets are $11; $8 for seniors, children under 12 and students 25 and under. For a complete list of films, screening times and dates, call 718-636-4100 or visit www.bam.org.
