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  • “Until When…”

    until when 2

    Set during the current Intifada, this documentary follows four Palestinian families living in Dheisheh Refugee Camp near Bethlehem. Fadi is thirteen and cares for his four younger brothers, the Hammash family pass on the lessons of life with humor and passion, Sana is a single woman who endures long commutes to do community work, and Emad and Hanan are a young couple trying to shield their daughter from the
    harsh realities of the occupation.They talk about their past and discuss the future with humor, sorrow, frustration and hope. Until When… paints an intimate in-depth portrait of Palestinian lives today. 

    Arabic w/ English subtitles, 76 min., Palestine/USA 2004

  • MUSLIMS OR HERETICS?

    The  Ahmadiyas are a small Muslim sect that is at the center of a growing storm  in South Asia. A relatively recent sect, they believe that their spiritual leader was also a Prophet after Prophet Mohammed.  Because of this belief, Islamist Parties calls them “heretics” and accuse them of “spoiling the spirit of Islam.”

    In 1974, after decades of violent protests, Islamic extremists succeeded in banning the Ahmadiyas inPakistan. Today, Pakistani Ahmadiyas cannot  call themselves Muslim, pray, or build mosques. Even in death, there is no escape from the state– the law prohibits putting Islamic prayers on Ahmadiya gravestones.

    In 2003, the anti-Ahmadiya campaign spread to Bangladesh, which was once part of Pakistan. In January 2004, the Bangladesh government banned all Ahmadiya  books, and followed this with a push for Blasphemy Law.

     The crisis over Ahmadiyas reflects a larger battle for Islam’s soul–  a struggle between reformers who want separation of mosque and state, and fundamentalists who want Islamic Law in all aspects of life.

  • Jem Cohen Double Feature

    jem cohen

    Two films from romantic documentary film maker Jem Cohen are featured; Lost Book Found, the thirty minute haunting tribute to the “mean streets” of New York City as seen through the eyes of a push cart vendor, and Instrument, an audio-visual history of the band that defines the term “Indie”, Fugazi. Refreshments for a nominal fee.