The film, which aims to dispel the misconceptions Americans have about Islam and Muslims, stars Nia Long, Danny Glover, Evan Ross, Dorian Missick and Roger Guenveur Smith.
Mooz-lum tells the story of Tariq Mahdi (Evan Ross) as he enters college and is exposed to the world outside his strict religious upbringing. He experiences firsthand the backlash of resentment and suspicion that reined down on Muslims in America in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Long portrays his mother and Smith, his father.
Mooz-lum is Basir’s first feature-length film and he wanted it to reflect Muslims’ humanity.
“I wanted to give a voice to a people that have not had an accurate one, a legitimate one … a people whose voice has been drowned out by the heavy volume of extremism. And being that I was born and raised Muslim, I know what the majority of Muslims are being taught and it’s very different from what’s being publicized these days.
“The message is that … do not let a few people shape your view on an entire faith because what I’ve seen … is beautiful,” he said.
Smith was not only enlightened by the role, he felt a responsibility to give his portrayal authenticity. He described the challenge he faced when, in the first scene, he had to recite a difficult Islamic prayer in Arabic. “Whenever we’re approaching any kind of new language or new culture or new religion on stage or on screen, it’s very daunting because you got to get it right, or you’re going to be … unbelievable and … insulting to your audience,” he said.
Every Muslim is not a terrorist and every terrorist is not a Muslim — that’s the point Basir hopes to drive home to viewers.
The Urban World Film Festival-winning film opens in select cities today, Feb. 11, 2011. –darryl yates
