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Covered Girls
| Length: | 22 min |
| Released: | 2003 |
| Ages: |
High School College Adult |
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Have you ever seen Muslim-American high school girls in full-length dresses and traditional hijabs playing full-court basketball? Prior to 9/11, the average Westerner had little more than one-dimensional views of Muslim women. Covered Girls provides a window into the lives of an animated group of Muslim American teenage girls in New York and challenges the stereotypes many Americans may have about this culture.
The film documents the daily experience of Kiren, who coaches her high school basketball team; Amnah who has a black belt in Karate; and Tavasha , who is recording an album of original rap songs. Clad in traditional clothing, they speak out about their faith and the difficulties it has sometimes imparted, especially after 9/11, when people spat upon, pushed, and threatened them. The film follows the girls from a Harlem recording studio to a Brooklyn mosque, revealing typical teenagers caught in a tug-of-war between religious extremism and the American dream.
The film documents the daily experience of Kiren, who coaches her high school basketball team; Amnah who has a black belt in Karate; and Tavasha , who is recording an album of original rap songs. Clad in traditional clothing, they speak out about their faith and the difficulties it has sometimes imparted, especially after 9/11, when people spat upon, pushed, and threatened them. The film follows the girls from a Harlem recording studio to a Brooklyn mosque, revealing typical teenagers caught in a tug-of-war between religious extremism and the American dream.
"Excellent outreach tool."
‒Middle East Studies Association
"By depicting the girls in their full-length dresses and hijabs behaving just like teens in western clothing, the film gently reminds us to observe the adage about not judging a book by its cover. The voices we hear are casual, straightforward and heartfelt The background rap music fits well into the black and white urban scene. This short film is an excellent choice for a discussion about bigotry amongst teenagers. Recommended."
‒Homa Naficy, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, Connecticut for Educational Media Reviews Online
‒Middle East Studies Association
"By depicting the girls in their full-length dresses and hijabs behaving just like teens in western clothing, the film gently reminds us to observe the adage about not judging a book by its cover. The voices we hear are casual, straightforward and heartfelt The background rap music fits well into the black and white urban scene. This short film is an excellent choice for a discussion about bigotry amongst teenagers. Recommended."
‒Homa Naficy, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, Connecticut for Educational Media Reviews Online
National Women's Studies Association, 2004
Best Short Documentary, Nashville Independent Film Festival, 2003
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, 2003
Official Selection, Walker Art Center's Women with Vision Film Festival, 2003
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 2003
Best Short Documentary, Nashville Independent Film Festival, 2003
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, 2003
Official Selection, Walker Art Center's Women with Vision Film Festival, 2003
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 2003
