A Muslim American teenager struggles to reconcile desire with family obligations. Hala is a proof-of-concept for a feature-length film that explores coming-of-age as a Muslim American.
From Yasmeen Gharnit’s review of Hala on NYLON.com:
„The new short film, written and directed by Minhal Baig, follows a 16-year-old Muslim teenager Hala (Tess Granfield) as she attempts to explore her sexuality and identity while growing up in a conservative, religious household. The film starkly opens as we see Hala masturbate, only to be interrupted by her mother asking why she missed suhoor, a pre-dawn meal eaten while fasting during Ramadan. Then, while skateboarding at a park, she meets Jesse (Jasper Newman), and the two share an immediate connection. While she embarks on a relationship with him, she sees her parents’ relationship disintegrate as they argue about religious guidelines and the way they raise Hala. Eventually, it becomes impossible for Hala to exist between her two separate “lives.” In 14 minutes, the film somehow captures more than the aforementioned feature films do in their entirety.“
Learn more about the film here:
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Any interest or inquiries regarding the feature length film should be directed to Ari Lubet at 3 Arts Entertainment or myself on Twitter (@minhalbaig) or email: minhalbaig AT icloud DOT com.
Read the review on NYLON.com:
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FEATURING
Tess Granfield
Nina Nayebi
Alfred Adelpour
Jasper Newman
WRITER/DIRECTOR
Minhal Baig
PRODUCERS
Sara Nassim
Constanza Castro
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
William R. Carter
Arsalan D. Asli
Jonathan Daniel Brown
Corry Addison
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Benjamin Dell
(http://ift.tt/1TaX7F9)
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Sara Higley
EDITOR
Salvador Pérez García
(http://ift.tt/1UevS14)
