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About the Films

HOUSE OF FLESH / BIET MIN LAHM
Director: Rami Abdel Jabbar, Egypt / 5 mins / DVCAM / Arabic with English Subtitles

"House of Flesh" deals with issues of class and sexual taboos. The story involves a blind Quran reciter who marries a widow with three daughters. Knowing her daughters are too poor to marry, the widow allows all three of them to sleep with her blind but young and healthy husband. Each night one of the daughters wears the widow’s wedding ring in order to fool him. The Quran reciter suspects something is amiss, but doesn’t question his good fortune in the bedroom. A visually stunning adaptation from a banned short story of the same title by renowned Egyptian writer Youssef Idriss.

IRAQ: SONG OF THE MISSING MEN
Director: Layth Abdulamir, Iraq / 54 mins / DVCAM / Arabic with English Subtitles

Iraqi filmmaker, Layth Abdulamir examines the common roots of his often mistreated and misunderstood country. His camera captures the cultural, social and historical heritage of men and women who wove the fabric of the nation: Kurds, Arabs, Turkomen, Shiites, Sunnis and Christians. A close-up examination of a particular "identity" that prospered, suffered and finally ended when the Coalition's tanks arrived into what was once the Garden of Eden.

Followed by WIP PREVIEW SCREENING OF
FLYING WHILE MUSLIM
Director: Lyra Porras Garzon, USA / 30 mins/ DVCAM

In a post 9-11 era of heightened suspicion and security concerns, is racial profiling a necessary evil? Supporters of racial profiling say that 'although not all Muslims are terrorists' all terrorists are Muslim. They state to be dismissive of race is to be blind to the demographics of crime, and it is only logical to put members of this community under greater scrutiny. This documentary attempts to present a diverse range of voices, tackling contentious issues such as profiling, 'clash of civilizations', civil liberties and national security among others in order for the viewer to have an informed decision and potentially open a space for democratic dialogue. Talkback with the Director and Free Pizza & Beer/Soda Reception after screening.

About Lyra Porras Garzon

Writer, Camera, Producer, Director, Editor
Lyra is an independent filmmaker, media activist and advocacy journalist. Prior to moving to New York, she has edited films in Manila and documentaries for Discovery and National Geographic in Hong Kong and Singapore. She was an editor on “Martial Law”, a documentary about the Marcos dictatorship that won Best Documentary in the Catholic Mass Media Awards. She has been a journalist in the United Nations, a freelance news producer for Bridges TV and is currently an adjunct professor at the NYIT. Lyra has a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University and shuttles between New York and Cairo.

About Alwan for the Arts. Alwan for the Arts serves the Middle East and North African population and educates the broader community by providing access to the range of Middle Eastern and North African arts; thereby enriching the cross-cultural and artistic encounter. Since 1998, Alwan for the Arts has played a leading role in promoting the diverse cultures of the Middle East and North Africa in New York City. It organized film festivals and screenings, book/poetry readings and signings, lectures and conferences, art exhibits, musical and theatrical performances, and language and literature classes. In 2003, Alwan established a center in lower Manhattan which provides a physical base for its diverse cultural activities. For more info: www.alwanforthearts.org

About 3rd I. 3rd I New York's monthly film and music salon designed by local filmmakers and experimental DJs showcases the works of independent filmmakers of South Asian descent and local djs, musicians and electronica artists. Providing alternative forums for South Asian filmmakers who often have few venues to showcase their work not only increases their visibility, but also provides a social forum for peers and audiences to participate in an ongoing discussion. More info...