The Hit

Sundance Film Festival: It is that time of year again as actors, fans, producers, directors, buyers and pretty much everyone else involved in the business of film heads to the Sundance Film Festival in the snowy resort town of Park City, Utah. 

What began as Robert Redford's personal mission to give exposure to independent filmmakers has become an all-out mad dash to bid on the handful of well-crafted gems that premier at the festival each year. So to some extent Sundance has taken on a more corporate feel than it originally had, but it also has allowed some truly fine films to see daylight in an industry that typically could care less about independent productions. 

This year there are more films than anyone could ever hope to see in the roughly two weeks that Sundance runs; but there are some interesting debuts that Muslims might want to keep an eye on as the festival awards are handed out and as these films subsequently make their way to art-house theaters around the country as well as to cable television (there is a Sundance Channel on many cable systems): 

The Inner Tour (Documentary, 2001, Palestine/Israel): Although production credits for this film go largely to Israeli's, The Inner Tour is indeed an examination of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict from the Palestinian point of view. The filmmakers followed a number of Palestinians on a tour of Israel capturing their thoughts and emotions. The result is being called a deeply emotional documentary that brings to light the depth and gravity of the current crisis for Palestinians. 

Under the Skin of the City (Drama, 2001, Iran): After a year in which Iranian film garnered significant attention in the West, Iran returns in 2002 with yet another highly touted dramatic feature. Like many of the films that have preceded it, Under the Skin of the City deals with the harsh realities of life that have faced many Iranians for the better part of 20 years. Set in post-revolutionary times, this film tells the story of family struggling to subsist, with the eldest son trying to raise money to obtain a wok visa that would enable him to travel to Japan where better fortunes await him. 

Where Eskimos Live (Drama, 2001, Poland/Germany/USA): In recent years, the war in Bosnia has increasingly attracted European filmmakers in search of answers in the wake of a tragic conflict that ruined so many lives and threatened the stability of the continent. Where Eskimos Live is the latest look at the war, this time through the eyes of a seedy businessman and the young boy he reluctantly helps out of the ravaged region. At first glance the film does not appear to tackle issues from a Muslim perspective; but a full screening would be necessary to determine what kind of balance the film has. 

Amandla: A Revolution in Four Part Harmony (Documentary, 2001, South Africa/USA): For those that remember the years of struggle by Black South Africans under the oppressive yoke of Apartheid, they will possibly recall the various songs and chants that groups and protestors would use at their demonstrations. These vocalizations were part of a deep musical culture in South Africa in which song served to express the deep emotions, hopes, desires and frustrations of the people. Amandla tells the story of this music through inspiring interviews, archival footage of protests and performances by South African musicians who provided the soundtrack for Black struggle. 

Caminantes (Documentary, 2001, Spain): If Muslims don't know about the Zapatista movement of the indigenous peoples of Chiapas, Mexico, they should. For those unschooled in the struggle of these people, Caminantes will provide a good introduction. In 2001, Zapatista leader Subcommandante Marcos made a historic trek through the Mexican countryside to Mexico City in order to meet with government officials. This film chronicles part of that trip and the people being affected by governmental policies that largely fail to address the unique needs and lifestyles of Mexico's original peoples. 

Two Towns of Jasper: (Documentary, 2002, USA): Racism is alive and well in America. James Bird learned that they hard way when in 1998 two Texas White Supremacists chained the Black man to the back of their truck and dragged him three miles to his death. The makers of this film go back to the scene of this atrocity in the town of Jasper, TX to examine the radically different views on race that exist there to this day. 

The Miss

Gay TV: This week's miss is a no-brainer - Gay TV. That's right, a television channel targeted at a homosexual audiences. Reuters and several other news outlets reported January 10 that the MTV and Showtime cable networks have in development a channel that would provide programming for homosexuals in the United States and their sympathizers. Why now? Well, it all boils down to the almighty dollar. "When you have, even by conservative estimates, well north of 10 million gay adults in the United States with more discretionary income and, therefore, greater spending power ... all that leads to big opportunity," Matt Farber, a consultant on the project, told Reuters. 

That's so indicative of where America stands today - as long it makes money, who cares about the moral implications?