HEADBANG
An American perspective on the hijab and female empowerment that resonates with universal questions of selfhood and freedom. Through the lens of two different young women, Leila, from secular backgrou
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Filmmaker Statement

At the heart of FEMALE MUSLIM IDENTITY lies the question of the hijab – a topic that is often avoided or misunderstood. This simple piece of fabric holds immense meaning: for some, a symbol of religious freedom; for others, a mark of oppression. It has long been a symbol of controversy, sacredness, “othering,” and defiance. With HEADBANG, I invite a deeper conversation about the complex truths surrounding the hijab and self-determination. HEADBANG is a deeply personal film for me: a reflection on my teen years as a Pakistani woman in small town America. My father hid me from our family in Pakistan, including his twin, until I was 30. This experience created a schism in my relationship to Islam and divided my identity perhaps forever. I am still trying to reconcile the voices at war within me. Then, my personal schism went "meta"... When I first started acting in tv/film the only roles available to me were those of hijabi women, often portrayed as voiceless, oppressed, or rad

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