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Muslim CinemaMuslim Cinema

Changing the world one story at a time

Javed MohammedJaved MohammedWriterWriter--ProducerProducerk2film@live.comk2film@live.com

Muslims and Media Part 3Muslims and Media Part 3

Copyright 2009

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AgendaAgenda

OverviewOverviewTurkish CinemaTurkish CinemaEgyptian & Arab CinemaEgyptian & Arab CinemaCinemas of SubCinemas of Sub--Saharan AfricaSaharan AfricaIranian CinemaIranian CinemaPakistani CinemaPakistani CinemaFrenchFrench--Algerian CinemaAlgerian Cinema

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What is Muslim vs Islamic Cinema?What is Muslim vs Islamic Cinema?There is no definition so here is one.There is no definition so here is one.

““Muslim Cinema is a film Muslim Cinema is a film movement by or about movement by or about

Muslims.Muslims.””

Javed MohammedJaved Mohammed

““Islamic Cinema is film Islamic Cinema is film that conforms to that conforms to Islamic laws, customs Islamic laws, customs and values.and values.””

Javed MohammedJaved Mohammed

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Muslim Cinema: Hard to Muslim Cinema: Hard to describedescribeAs the 1 Billion+ As the 1 Billion+ Muslims are spread Muslims are spread across 48 Muslim across 48 Muslim majority countries plus majority countries plus With hundreds of With hundreds of dialects and dialects and languageslanguagesFrom Morocco to From Morocco to IndonesiaIndonesiaOther than faith there Other than faith there is no common theme, is no common theme, or narrative that can or narrative that can describe Muslim describe Muslim CinemaCinema

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Muslim CinemaMuslim CinemaDefinitely some Definitely some countries have a countries have a stronger culture, stronger culture, affinity or presence wrt affinity or presence wrt filmsfilmsFor others film For others film presents a moral presents a moral issue. Film has images issue. Film has images and sounds that are and sounds that are many times graphic, many times graphic, show nudity, sex, show nudity, sex, violence, vulgar violence, vulgar language, sensual language, sensual music all which music all which oppose the beliefs and oppose the beliefs and values of the Islamic values of the Islamic faith. faith.

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Turkish CinemaTurkish Cinema

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Turkish CinemaTurkish Cinema

Turkish film Turkish film industry is known industry is known as Yeas Yeşşililççam am ("Green Pine") in ("Green Pine") in the same way that the same way that Hollywood refers Hollywood refers to American film.to American film.

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Starting OffStarting Off

Turkey got the same start as the West to cinema in the Turkey got the same start as the West to cinema in the 20th century.20th century.With the defeat of the Ottoman caliphate, Ataturk moved With the defeat of the Ottoman caliphate, Ataturk moved a country from Islam to Secular rule.a country from Islam to Secular rule.18961896––1945 Film production sporadic. Averaged one film 1945 Film production sporadic. Averaged one film per year.per year.However Film production wasn't continuous until around However Film production wasn't continuous until around the 1950s the 1950s A couple of companies then dominated the scene and A couple of companies then dominated the scene and addressed populationaddressed population--dense and profitable cities such as dense and profitable cities such as Istanbul and IzmirIstanbul and IzmirStrong import presence from the USA, France, Italy and Strong import presence from the USA, France, Italy and GermanyGermanyAfter WW2 major shift, 49 films made in 1952After WW2 major shift, 49 films made in 1952In 1960s, Turkey became the 5th biggest film producer In 1960s, Turkey became the 5th biggest film producer reached the 300 films mark at start of 70s.reached the 300 films mark at start of 70s.

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A Paradigm shiftA Paradigm shift

TV and Video caused TV and Video caused next major shift and next major shift and popularity of those popularity of those mediums in 70s and mediums in 70s and economic crisis caused economic crisis caused film production to free film production to free fall.fall.Ticket sales, dropped in Ticket sales, dropped in 80s and 90s from 90M in 80s and 90s from 90M in 1966 to 11M in 19901966 to 11M in 1990Number of theaters fell Number of theaters fell 2000 theatres in 1966 to 2000 theatres in 1966 to 290 in 1990290 in 1990In 1990s the average In 1990s the average number of films produced number of films produced fell to 10fell to 10--15 films some 15 films some not making it to the not making it to the theatres.theatres.

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Last decade of RevivalLast decade of Revival

Since 1995 situation has Since 1995 situation has improved. improved. After year 2000, ticket After year 2000, ticket sales reached the 20 sales reached the 20 millionsmillionsNumber of theatres Number of theatres increased to over 500 increased to over 500 nationnation--wide. wide. Turkish films attract Turkish films attract millions of spectators and millions of spectators and top the blockbustertop the blockbuster--lists, lists, often surpassing foreign often surpassing foreign films in terms of ticket films in terms of ticket sales.sales.Today there is no film Today there is no film industry per se, but industry per se, but individual projects whose individual projects whose distribution is handled by distribution is handled by foreign companies foreign companies

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Time line of Turkish CinemaTime line of Turkish Cinema

1914 First film made by a Turk in Turkey.1914 First film made by a Turk in Turkey.

1922 Kemal Film (Seded Brothers) is the first feature film 1922 Kemal Film (Seded Brothers) is the first feature film production company in Turkey.production company in Turkey.

19281928--1941 Ipek Films (Ipekci Brothers) monopolizes 1941 Ipek Films (Ipekci Brothers) monopolizes Turkish film production.Turkish film production.

1964 The first Antalya Film Festival awards its first 1964 The first Antalya Film Festival awards its first "Golden Orange" for best film to Gurbet Kuslari (Birds of "Golden Orange" for best film to Gurbet Kuslari (Birds of Nostalgia) directed by Halit Refig. Susuz yaz (Dry Nostalgia) directed by Halit Refig. Susuz yaz (Dry Summer) wins Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival.Summer) wins Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival.

1982 Yol shares the Palme d'Or at Cannes (with Missing 1982 Yol shares the Palme d'Or at Cannes (with Missing by Costa Gravas). by Costa Gravas).

2003 Uzak (Distant) wins Grand Prize and Best Actor at 2003 Uzak (Distant) wins Grand Prize and Best Actor at Cannes.Cannes.

2007 (April) 25th International Istanbul Film Festival2007 (April) 25th International Istanbul Film Festival

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Turkish film maker: Nuri Bilge CeylanTurkish film maker: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Ceylan's films Ceylan's films have often been have often been described as described as high art high art Minimalist Minimalist movies with an movies with an extremely low extremely low budget budget Won 18 awards Won 18 awards for Uzak for Uzak (Distant)(Distant)

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Egyptian CinemaEgyptian Cinema

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OverviewOverview

1930 and 1936, various 1930 and 1936, various small studios produced at small studios produced at least 44 feature films. In least 44 feature films. In 1936, Studio Misr, 1936, Studio Misr, emerged as the leading emerged as the leading studio for 3 decadesstudio for 3 decades1940s & 50s Golden age 1940s & 50s Golden age of Arab cinema based of Arab cinema based out of Cairoout of CairoPopular films with heroes Popular films with heroes and happy endingsand happy endingsMajor transition from Major transition from silent era of 1920s to silent era of 1920s to sound.sound.3/4s of Arab films since 3/4s of Arab films since 1908 are Egyptian1908 are EgyptianCairo is famous for Cairo is famous for International Film International Film FestivalFestival

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A little historyA little history

1966, the Egyptian film industry nationalized: Stifled creativit1966, the Egyptian film industry nationalized: Stifled creativityy

1970s, Egyptian films struck a balance between politics, 1970s, Egyptian films struck a balance between politics, entertainment, and audience appeal.entertainment, and audience appeal.

1970s and 1980s Egyptian film industry in decline. Formula 1970s and 1980s Egyptian film industry in decline. Formula movies movies

Decline from 100 films per year at peak to ~12/year in 1995Decline from 100 films per year at peak to ~12/year in 1995

1997 small comedy revival with "Ismailia Rayeh Gayy1997 small comedy revival with "Ismailia Rayeh Gayy““

Rest of 1990s Status quo remains with little support from Rest of 1990s Status quo remains with little support from government and low budget, low production value films. A few government and low budget, low production value films. A few small hits, but Western and other Bollywood films have greater small hits, but Western and other Bollywood films have greater impact.impact.

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Egyptian Cinema TodayEgyptian Cinema Today

In 1997,16 filmsIn 1997,16 filmsRevival in Egyptian CinemaRevival in Egyptian CinemaThere are Film schools and now There are Film schools and now over 40 directorsover 40 directorsIn 2007 risen to 40 films and box In 2007 risen to 40 films and box office reaches $50Moffice reaches $50MAmerican movies comparatively American movies comparatively earned $10Mearned $10M

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Egyptian film maker : Youssef ChahineEgyptian film maker : Youssef Chahine

Prolific Egyptian film Prolific Egyptian film directordirectorBorn 1926 and active in Born 1926 and active in the Egyptian film industry the Egyptian film industry since 1950. since 1950. Launched career of actor Launched career of actor Omar SharifOmar SharifWon many awards Won many awards including Lifetime award including Lifetime award at Cannesat CannesMade many films Made many films including the epic Al including the epic Al Nasser Salah AdNasser Salah Ad--Din (The Din (The Victorious Saladin) Victorious Saladin) -- 1963 1963

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Arab CinemaArab Cinema

Besides Egypt, Besides Egypt, smaller cinema smaller cinema in Syria, in Syria, Morocco, and Morocco, and AlgeriaAlgeria

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SyrianSyrian--American Film American Film maker:Moustapha Akkadmaker:Moustapha Akkad

Attended UCLA and USC Attended UCLA and USC film schoolsfilm schoolsMade Epic filmsMade Epic filmsMohammad, Messenger of Mohammad, Messenger of God and Lion of the God and Lion of the Desert,Desert,Plus for Western Plus for Western audiences commercially audiences commercially successful Halloween successful Halloween seriesseries

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Cinemas of SubCinemas of Sub--Saharan Saharan AfricaAfrica

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Cinemas of SubCinemas of Sub--Saharan Saharan AfricaAfrica

Cinema in Africa Cinema in Africa been there for over been there for over 85 years85 yearsStrong colonial Strong colonial influence, Colonial influence, Colonial Film Units (CFU)Film Units (CFU)Early 1960s Early 1960s indigenous cinema indigenous cinema starts to appearstarts to appear

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Some HistorySome HistoryEffort started with Effort started with minimal financial and minimal financial and technical resources technical resources and amateur actorsand amateur actorsFollowing SembeneFollowing Sembene’’s s lead other Senegales lead other Senegales directors followed.directors followed.Spread to Niger, Spread to Niger, Cameroon, Mali, Cameroon, Mali, Algeria, Morocco, and Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.Tunisia.Government of France Government of France has provided aid to has provided aid to help film production help film production (however price is (however price is control and control and censorship) censorship)

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Senegalese film maker: Senegalese film maker: Sembene OusmaneSembene Ousmane

"Father of African film"Father of African film””Director, producer and Director, producer and writer. writer. Themes: history of Themes: history of colonialism, the colonialism, the failings of religion, the failings of religion, the critique of the new critique of the new African bourgeoisie, African bourgeoisie, and the strength of and the strength of African women. African women. 2004 feature 2004 feature MoolaadMoolaadéé, won , won awards at the Cannes awards at the Cannes Film Festival explored Film Festival explored subject of female subject of female genital mutilation.genital mutilation.

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Cinema of IranCinema of Iran

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Cinema of IranCinema of Iran

Persians have long history of Persians have long history of literature and mythologyliterature and mythologyEarly Persian/Iranian cinema Early Persian/Iranian cinema made its debut at start of the made its debut at start of the 20th century. 20th century. Got off to a slow start first film Got off to a slow start first film school in 1925 and by 1930s school in 1925 and by 1930s just 15 theaters in Tehranjust 15 theaters in Tehran

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Cinema of IranCinema of Iran

1930s and 40s slow progress 1930s and 40s slow progress with influence from English filmswith influence from English filmsShah of Iran did not particularly Shah of Iran did not particularly support film industry support film industry But by 1960s 25 films/year and But by 1960s 25 films/year and by 1970 65/year. Mainly by 1970 65/year. Mainly melodrama and thrillersmelodrama and thrillersIn 1965 a new genre of popular In 1965 a new genre of popular film: the tragic action dramafilm: the tragic action drama

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PostPost--revolutionary Iranian revolutionary Iranian cinemacinema

Style: Long (slow) Style: Long (slow) takes, Frugal ordinary takes, Frugal ordinary lives, No graphic lives, No graphic contentcontentMinimalist and NeoMinimalist and Neo--Relalist, Art Cinema Relalist, Art Cinema Little melodrama. Little melodrama. Some Popular cinema Some Popular cinema too for broader too for broader audiences.audiences.Heavy censorshipHeavy censorship

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PostPost--revolutionary Iranian revolutionary Iranian cinemacinema

Follow strong Muslim Follow strong Muslim edicts about not edicts about not showing showing

Women who Women who expose their expose their bodies (except bodies (except hands and face)hands and face)Dressed in Dressed in revealing clothesrevealing clothesAny physical Any physical contact (including contact (including kissing) between kissing) between men and womenmen and womenVulgar or Sensual Vulgar or Sensual or Sexual dialogueor Sexual dialogueNegative portrayal Negative portrayal of state, police, of state, police, army etc.army etc.Foreign musicForeign music

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PostPost--revolutionary Iranian revolutionary Iranian cinemacinema

PrePre--Production Production permit validates permit validates scriptscriptPostPost--Production Production checks film and checks film and gives different gives different ratings allowing full ratings allowing full PR, peak viewing PR, peak viewing or no PR, limited or no PR, limited viewing, to viewing, to banned.banned.

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The big pictureThe big pictureIn spite of In spite of censorship Iran censorship Iran has contributed to has contributed to world cinema with world cinema with strong directors strong directors Abbas Kiarostami Abbas Kiarostami won the Palme won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for Film Festival for ““Taste of CherryTaste of Cherry””in 1997.in 1997.Persian films have Persian films have been nominated been nominated for Oscars and for Oscars and won awards at won awards at Berlin and Venice Berlin and Venice film festivalsfilm festivals

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The big pictureThe big pictureApprox 130 films Approx 130 films screened per yearscreened per yearCommon themes Common themes are revolution (and are revolution (and its after effects), the its after effects), the IranIran--Iraq war, social Iraq war, social problems problems Western films are Western films are shown but only shown but only ones that are ones that are classics and ones classics and ones that have been that have been censored/edited.censored/edited.The Government The Government also funds ethnic also funds ethnic cinema, eg cinema, eg Kurdistan, Afghan Kurdistan, Afghan and other areas and other areas where Iran has where Iran has influenceinfluence ..

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Iran New WaveIran New Wave

1960s, art films with 1960s, art films with highly political and highly political and philosophical tones philosophical tones and poetic language.and poetic language.New Wave are Abbas New Wave are Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi, Majid Majidi, Panahi, Majid Majidi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Tahmineh Milani, Tahmineh Milani, Samira Makhmalbaf, Samira Makhmalbaf, and many more. and many more. Strong intellectual and Strong intellectual and political movementspolitical movementsStrong influence of Strong influence of Italian NeorealismItalian Neorealism Baran by Majid Majidi

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FestivalsFestivals

The Fajr Film Festival The Fajr Film Festival has taken place since has taken place since 1983 and is a major 1983 and is a major festival .festival .successful in making successful in making policies and setting policies and setting examples for the future examples for the future of Iranian cinema. of Iranian cinema. In 2005, the festival In 2005, the festival added competitions for added competitions for Asian as well as Asian as well as spiritual films.spiritual films.The top prize is called The top prize is called Crystal SimorghCrystal Simorgh

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Iranian Film maker: Majid Iranian Film maker: Majid MajidiMajidi

Writer, Producer and Writer, Producer and DirectorDirector

As of 2004 Majidi only As of 2004 Majidi only Iranian director Iranian director nominated for an nominated for an Academy Award for Academy Award for Best Foreign Best Foreign Language Film with Language Film with the film Children of the film Children of Heaven in 1998.Heaven in 1998.Other award winning Other award winning films include Baran, films include Baran, The Color of Paradise The Color of Paradise

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Cinema of PakistanCinema of Pakistan

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Cinema of PakistanCinema of Pakistan

Pakistan gained Pakistan gained independence in independence in 1947.1947.In the divide a lot In the divide a lot of the talent, of the talent, skilled workers skilled workers (and equipment) (and equipment) left for Bombay left for Bombay from (1947from (1947--58)58)Still had 5 Studios Still had 5 Studios in Lahore, Karachi in Lahore, Karachi and Dhaka (in East and Dhaka (in East Pakistan)Pakistan)

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Cinema of PakistanCinema of PakistanMade films in Urdu Made films in Urdu the national the national language but also in language but also in dialects of Punjabi dialects of Punjabi (largest), Bengali, (largest), Bengali, Pashto (smaller), Pashto (smaller), Balochi and Sindhi.Balochi and Sindhi.Local films and films Local films and films from India were from India were shown in Pakistan till shown in Pakistan till 1952 1952 Most films nonMost films non--politicalpoliticalPakistanPakistan’’s film s film industry always industry always been over shadowed been over shadowed by neighbor India by neighbor India and Bollywoodand Bollywood..

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Golden age (1959Golden age (1959––1969)1969)

The '60s decade is often The '60s decade is often cited as being the golden cited as being the golden age of cinema in Pakistan. age of cinema in Pakistan.

In 1962, film aka In 1962, film aka MartyrMartyr, , pronounced the Palestine pronounced the Palestine issue on the silver screen issue on the silver screen and became an instant hit. and became an instant hit.

Some talent left for overseasSome talent left for overseas

In 1965, war between India In 1965, war between India and Pakistan, all Indian films and Pakistan, all Indian films completely bannedcompletely banned

Waheed Murad stepped in Waheed Murad stepped in as top talent becoming one as top talent becoming one of the top talents in the of the top talents in the Pakistani film industryPakistani film industry

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The Decline starts (Seventies)The Decline starts (Seventies)

In 1971 war with India, East Pakistan lost In 1971 war with India, East Pakistan lost and becomes independent Bangladesh.and becomes independent Bangladesh.Dhaka (Bengal film center and industry Dhaka (Bengal film center and industry lost)lost)Competition from Bollywood, led to further Competition from Bollywood, led to further declinedeclineMidMid--Seventies brings VCR and film piracySeventies brings VCR and film piracy1977, PM Bhutto arrested and General Zia1977, PM Bhutto arrested and General Zia--ulul--Haq becomes president on strong wave Haq becomes president on strong wave of Islamic supportof Islamic supportIslamic laws introduced, cinemas closed Islamic laws introduced, cinemas closed and entertainment taxes imposed. and entertainment taxes imposed.

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Downfall (Eighties) and Downfall (Eighties) and Collapse (Nineties) Collapse (Nineties)

Output dropped from 98 Output dropped from 98 films in 1979 (42 Urdu), to films in 1979 (42 Urdu), to 58 films (26 Urdu) in 1980.58 films (26 Urdu) in 1980.A few oneA few one--hit wonders hit wonders egeg In In 1979 Punjabi cult classic 1979 Punjabi cult classic MaulaMaula JattJatt..Growing censorship policies. Growing censorship policies. Punjabi films overshadow Punjabi films overshadow Urdu cinema.Urdu cinema.By the early '90s, the annual By the early '90s, the annual output dropped to around 40 output dropped to around 40 films, all produced by a films, all produced by a single studiosingle studioProduction falls to 32 films in Production falls to 32 films in 20032003Film studios decline Film studios decline preferring shortpreferring short--plays, and plays, and TV dramas for cable TV TV dramas for cable TV

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Revival (2003Revival (2003––present)present)

In 2003 Young film makers In 2003 Young film makers demonstrated that with demonstrated that with limited resources they can limited resources they can produce quality filmsproduce quality filmsIn 2005 pressure to lift ban In 2005 pressure to lift ban on Bollywood films in on Bollywood films in Pakistan. Pakistan. MughalMughal--ee--Azam reAzam re--released released in India and shown in in India and shown in PakistanPakistanGeo TV backs effort Geo TV backs effort ““Revival of Pakistani Revival of Pakistani CinemaCinema””In 2007 large budget film In 2007 large budget film Khuda Ke Liye a Khuda Ke Liye a controversial film that controversial film that addresses fundamentalism, addresses fundamentalism, war on terror, forced war on terror, forced marriage and other issues marriage and other issues becomes block buster film in becomes block buster film in Pakistan and is shown in Pakistan and is shown in India (after a four decade India (after a four decade ban.)ban.)

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ShoaibShoaib MansoorMansoor

Written, produced Written, produced and directed hit TV and directed hit TV shows shows Directed Directed ““KhudaKhudaKeKe LiyeLiye””Only film to be Only film to be released in released in Pakistan and IndiaPakistan and IndiaJoint Venture Joint Venture between Pakistan, between Pakistan, India, and US. India, and US.

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MuslimMuslim--Minority FilmsMinority Films

Muslims are Muslims are sizable minorities sizable minorities in many countriesin many countriesIn India over 13% In India over 13% MuslimMuslimIn France 9%In France 9%They are in making They are in making contributions to contributions to cinemacinema

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MuslimMuslim--Minority FilmsMinority Films

In Bollywood In Bollywood (India) Mughal(India) Mughal--ee--Azam an Epic set Azam an Epic set in the Moghul in the Moghul empire was empire was directed, by K. Asif directed, by K. Asif and starred Dilip and starred Dilip Kumar and Kumar and Madhubala (both Madhubala (both Muslims)Muslims)The film was The film was funded by an funded by an Indian companyIndian company

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MuslimMuslim--Minority FilmsMinority Films

IndigIndigèènes: How nes: How French army treated French army treated North African soldiersNorth African soldiersby Rachid Boucharebby Rachid BoucharebFrench director of French director of Algerian parentageAlgerian parentagePlot: During WWII, four Plot: During WWII, four North African men North African men enlist in the French enlist in the French army to liberate that army to liberate that country from Nazi country from Nazi oppression, and to oppression, and to fight French fight French discrimination.discrimination.

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An allAn all--American filmAmerican film

Syriana by Syriana by Stephen GaghanStephen GaghanAmerican directorAmerican directorPlot: A politicallyPlot: A politically--charged epic about charged epic about what Western what Western industry, and industry, and Intelligence will do Intelligence will do in the midin the mid--east to east to protect their protect their interests.interests.

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ConclusionConclusion

Cinema in the Cinema in the Muslim world is Muslim world is diverse.diverse.The major The major cinemas include cinemas include Turkish, Turkish, Egyptian & Arab Egyptian & Arab Cinema, SubCinema, Sub--Saharan Africa, Saharan Africa, Iranian, Iranian, Pakistani and Pakistani and ““OtherOther”” Cinema.Cinema.

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ConclusionConclusionEach Cinema Each Cinema has gone has gone through its birth, through its birth, rise and goldenrise and golden--age, decline, age, decline, and now revival.and now revival.Search, Watch Search, Watch and share good and share good Muslim Cinema Muslim Cinema MyFavoriteReview.comMyFavoriteReview.com

To see other presentations on Islam, Muslims and Film see“From Hollywood to Bollywood”“Muslims and Media”On SlideShare by Javed MohammedSend any comments to k2film@live.com

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ReferencesReferences

WikiPediaWikiPediaThe WebThe WebThe Oxford History of World The Oxford History of World CinemaCinemaAsian Cinema: A Field Guide by Asian Cinema: A Field Guide by Tom VickTom Vick

Contemporary World Cinema by Contemporary World Cinema by Shohini Shohini ChaudhuriChaudhuri