Check out moorishgirl.com
and Laila Lalami's new fiction,
Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits.
Meet Laila in Los
Angeles on Oct. 20 (see
event listings below).
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-
 Heaven
Sent?
Paradise Now, a film by Hany Abu-Assad
goes into limited release at the end of October (Warner Independent).
To attend a private advance screening at the DGA on Oct. 20, visit
our calendar for details. Read
a Reuters interview with Abu-Assad by Anne Thompson.
Reviewed by May Alhassen
"Paradise Now" is a film that humanizes Palestinian
suicide bombers. You can imagine the possible alarmist criticisms:
"An unfair, unbalanced portrait that doesn't give attention
to the other side."
"A limited, stereotypical presentation of consistently culturally
and historically maligned group of people."
"Negative images."
"Justifies suicide bombing."
"Why must Arabs be consistently cinematically portrayed as
suicide bombers?"
These of course are comments I could easily envision coming from
closed-minded individuals who have either not seen the movie,
relied on second-hand accounts or on reviews; or who, if they
did see the movie, consciously turned off their mind and muted
their heart before going into the theatre. Because "Paradise
Now" is not a film that someone passively sees or hears about;
rather, it is one that you must experience to fully understand
and appreciate.
continue
review
"An
uncomfortable and indispensable book. . . . Uncomfortable because
author High Miles . . . bluntly challenges assumptions many Americans
hold about that part of the world. Indispensable for that very
reason, because it gives readers a more vivid, accurate understanding
of that world." —Anthony Day, Los Angeles Times
 Al-Jazeera:
The Inside Story of the Arab news Channel that is Challenging
the West
by Hugh Miles (Grove Press, New York, 2005)
Reviewed By Mark LeVine
I remember sitting in the restaurant of my Baghdad one morning,
hours after the worst suicide bombing of a hotel in the city
to date. All the windows facing the street were shattered,
but the coffee, eggs and bread were still fresh and delicious.
Someone flipped on the TV, and there was President Bush on
the new, American-financed al-Hurra TV, talking about how
well things were going. Everyone laughed; and then we turned
on al-Jazeera for a few minutes, and then to another Arab
satellite TV station whose coverage was a bit newer, bolder
and under the radar enough to be what al-Jazeera was a few
years ago. As my companion remarked later to me after watching
one of the station's innumerable live call-in shows, "God,
al-Jazeera really has become the Arab equivalent of Fox News,
hasn't it?"
In other words, al-Jazeera, so recently the cutting edge of
Arab, even world journalism, is now very much ensconced in
the mainstream, Donald Rumsfeld's broadsides and patriotic
American computer hackers (who shut down the channel's website
when the invasion of Iraq started) not withstanding. Indeed,
since earlier this year the Qatari Government has been trying
to sell the station, likely in response to US pressure.
Which is precisely why everyone should read Hugh Miles informative
account of al-Jazeera's rise to prominence since its founding
in 1996 by the Emir of Qatar and a group of former BBC-Arabic
staff. That Miles was actually born in Saudi Arabia and is
fluent in Arabic only adds to the authoritativeness of the
account, which is based on myriad interviews with leading
players in the al-Jazeera saga from its headquarters in Doha,
Qatar across the Arab world to Europe and the US.
continue
review
Contemporary
Arab Art
By Ibrahim Alaoui
In
the Arab world today, the visual arts occupy an important
place in the field of creativity and artistic and intellectual
exploration. They therefore have a major contribution to
make to any study of the roots of creativity in contemporary
Arab societies.
|
"Paysage
du Centre" by Yamou,
Moroccan-born artist based in Paris, France
|
The
history of painting in the Arab world is only a fragment
of the history of these societies, and evolves in a multidimensional
movement where it is only one part of a whole. That whole
comprises not only aesthetic history but also social history,
not to mention the complex relationship between the producers
of symbolic forms and their societies. Unlike the history
of modern Western painting, which was the result of a series
of transformations linked to social revolutions, Arab easel-painting,
as a system of representation which is modern in both its
conception and its function, was born, at the beginning
of this century, through contacts with the West which fundamentally
altered not only the social systems of these countries but
also the ways in which Arabs saw the world.
continue
essay
October Events
 Oct.
1 (Sat), 8 pm—WEHDA WORLD MUSIC Arab American Unity Concert,
World Festival of Sacred Music
Kan
Zaman Takht Ensemble (Arabic) & Salaam Suite (USA) directed
by Wael Kakish & Paul Livingstone with additional artistic
collaboration by Naila Azad, Nakeiltha (Nikki) Campbell, Dr.
Oop & Kmillion, Peter Jacobson, Alfred Madain, Johanna
Moore, Houman Pourmehdi, Gisa Vatcky & Faisal Zedan.
The event will feature a world premiere performance of 'Al
Takween' for western/middle eastern chamber ensemble &
the Salaam Suite cd release by Paul Livingstone featuring
members of Ozomatli, Quetzal & Kan Zaman Ensemble. Performances
from traditional Muwashshahat (sacred sung poetry developed
in 8th and 9th century Arab Spain) to contemporary multi-lingual
songs & improvisations crafted with infusions of Indian,
Latin, Hip Hop, reggae & rock musical styles celebrate
our common aspirations for justice, unity & the sanctity
of human life.
Wehda is an Arabic word meaning unity, to become one. Kan
Zaman Takht Ensemble and Salaam Suite perform traditional
and creative world music with a diverse cadre of Arab and
American artists encompassing classical, folk and popular
styles led by Wael Kakish and Paul Livingstone. Performances
from traditional Muwashshahat (sacred sung poetry developed
in 8th and 9th century Arab Spain) to contemporary multi-lingual
songs and improvisations crafted with infusions of Indian,
Latin and popular music styles celebrate our common aspirations
for peace and unity.
With the intention to help empower individuals to educate
others to transcend stereotypes and intolerance, a dialogue—Islam,
Christianity & Judaism: Promoting a Culture of Peace—will
be held on Friday, September 30 at 12.30pm at Occidental College's
Herrick Chapel with clergy, artists and the community exploring
the religious foundations of peace and world justice.
This event is an expression of hope and faith that peace is
within reach. Presented by Occidental College and Sangeet
School of World Music.
Venue: Thorne Hall, Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road,
Los Angeles, CA 90041. Tix: $15; $5 students. Ticket info:
323.258-1424 -or- www.inhouseticketing.com.
 Through
Oct. 16—Heather Raffo's "9 Parts of Desire"
at the Geffen Playhouse
Los
Angeles Premiere of the one-woman show about Iraq, written
and performed by Heather Raffo. Two segments of the play were
originally presented by Levantine Cultural Center in December
2001 under the guise of the Millenium Project. Raffo went
on to perform the play in London and Edinburgh before landing
an off-Broadway run last year that received accolades across
the board. Read
our page about the New York run.
It is "a work so compassionate, so heart-breaking, so
soul-shatteringly human, that it promises to change forever
the way you’ll think about the women (indeed the people)
of the Middle East." Heather Raffo, an Iraqi-American
journalist, playwright, and performer, has captured the psychic
lives of nine Iraqi women brutalized by the Saddam regime.
She will take your breath away, as she has done for audiences
in London and New York. Nine Parts of Desire is a very special
Los Angeles theater event.
"A Triumph! Thrilling! An example of how art can remake
the world!" -John Lahr, New Yorker
Buy
tix online here. At the Geffen's Brentwood Theater. Click
here for address/directions.
VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE! This package is the ideal solution
for "date night" a special event or the total theater
going experience. Get the best seat in the house, dinner at
Westwood's Palomino Restaurant, Rotisseria & Bar and parking
all for one low price of $145.00/person. Seating is limited
so call 310.208.6500 Ext. 142, or click here to take advantage
of this offer and reserve the hottest theater seat in LA.
 Oct.
14 (Fri), 8:00 pm—Graphic Novelist Marjane Satrapi at
Royce Hall
Drawing
comparisons to Art Spiegelman's Maus, Marjane Satrapi's critically
acclaimed, eloquent black-and white graphic novels Persepolis
(vols. 1 and 2) are wise, funny and heartbreaking memoirs
of growing up during and after the Islamic Revolution. Her
charming follow-up Embroideries explores the lives
of Iranian women, young and old. Heartbreaking and hilarious,
"Satrapi's tales are riveting and revealing ... providing
readers with a rare perspective: a picture of life in a country
most American's know very little, and a viewpoint of the world
we almost never see" [Seattle Weekly]. "You’ve
never seen anything like Persepolis — Marjane Satrapi
may have given us a new genre."
— Gloria Steinem
Presented by UCLA Live. Tickets: $30, $25, $18, UCLA students
$12. Call 310.825.2101 or click
here. Levantine Cultural Center member save 15%. Use code
SAT15.
  Oct.
18 (Tues.), 7:30 pm—International Chess Grandmaster Jennifer
Shahade Presents Her Book Chess Bitch and Plays 10 Audience
Members at Levantine Center
"'Tis
all a checkerboard of nights & days/Which Fate, with men
for pieces plays..." —Omar Khayyam
At age 24, Lebanese American Jennifer Shahade is already an
international chess icon. She is the two-time winner of the
American Women’s Championship (2202, 2004) and has represented
the U.S. in international competitions throughout the world,
including Russia, China, Spain, India, Eastern Europe and
Brazil.
A native of Philadelphia and resident of Brooklyn, Shahade
is a women’s chess grandmaster and 2002 graduate of New
York University, where she earned a degree in comparative
literature and was editor of the literary magazine Brio.
When Jennifer isn’t traveling the world competing in
women’s and men’s tournaments and championship competitions,
she is involved with the nonprofit Chess-In-The-Schools program
in New York City, where she coaches inner city youths, including
the three-time National Junior High School Championship team,
I.S. 318.
Free Admission. Cash bar. The author will read from and sign
her book, following an introduction by international master
Anthony Saidy, author of The World of Chess. The first
10 purchasers of her book who wish to play Jennifer will get
their chance—simultaneously! Levantine Cultural Center,
5920 Blackwelder Street, Culver City 90232 (closest major
cross-streets are La Cienega and Washington Blvds.). Info:
310.559.5544.
  Oct.
20 (Thurs), 7:30 pm—Visiting Moroccan writer Laila
Lalami Presents Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits
at Beyond Baroque
"Ambitious debut about a group of young Moroccans looking
for jobs and a better life." —Kirkus Reviews
Laila Lalami was born in Rabat and educated in Morocco,
Britain, and the United States. Her work has appeared or
is forthcoming in Mizna, The Baltimore Review, First Intensity,
The Los Angeles Times, The Los Angeles Review, The Oregonian,
The Independent, The Nation, and will soon be anthologized.
Her debut book of fiction, Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits,
has just been published by Algonquin Books. She is also
the editor of the literary blog Moorishgirl.com.
She lives in Portland, Oregon.
From Laila about the writing of her book:
The news was relegated to the bottom of Le Monde’s
online page—fifteen Moroccan immigrants had drowned
while crossing the Straits of Gibraltar on a fishing boat.
They had left Tangier on a summer night, trying to navigate
the short distance—only ten miles—that separates
their homeland from Spain, and from the rest of Europe,
where they hoped to make a new life for themselves. The
boat was overloaded and ill equipped to handle the strong
Mediterranean currents, and it capsized a couple of miles
away from the coast. There were no survivors.
I read the article from my desk, in Los Angeles, where I
was working as a computational linguist. By then, I had
been living in America for eight years and I was always
hungry for news about Morocco. I thought at first that the
disaster was an isolated incident, a blip, a bizarre turn
of events. Over time, however, the incidents seemed to multiply.
Nearly every week in the summer of 2001 there was a report
about arrests by the coast guards on either side of the
Mediterranean. Read
more...
Copresented by Levantine Cultural Center and Beyond Baroque,
at Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd.,
Venice 90291. 3/4 of a mile west of Lincoln. Street parking.
Copies of the book will be available and will be signed
by the author. Light refreshments. Suggested donation $10/$7
members. Info: 310.559.5544 or 310.822.3006.
Read
Kirkus review.
For
more October events, visit our Calendar.
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Special
Announcement
FROM
INSTINCT TO VISION TO SCRIPT: a hands-on weekend screenwriting
retreat in Los Angeles, at the Writing Studio, located near the
intersection of La Brea and Melrose
Limited to seven (7) participants; designed for all levels of experience
in screenwriting
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it." Goethe
You want to write a script.... Maybe it's from your life and maybe
it's an idea you have.....But you don't know how..... Or you know
how but need some support.... Come to this workshop..... It will
be instructive, effective, inspirational, safe, supportive and fun!
Friday night: we'll watch
a film - analyzing and learning screenplay structure, character
development and the function of cinematic devices.
Saturday: through the
use of both logic and intuition, you'll be guided to create the
3-act structural foundation for your screenplay. You'll discover
and develop the heart of your characters as you tap and follow your
subconscious mind and imagination. You'll learn the aesthetics of
screenwriting necessary to keep your story unique, moving and inspiring.
Linear and non-linear (circular, post modern) styles will be discussed
and assisted, as well as adaptations from other literrary sources.
Sunday: You'll write
Act One.
The retreat will include viewing film clips and examination of existing
screenplays, group discussions, private consultations with Elana,
and a significant time for structuring and writing your scripts
followed by respectful and responsible group feedback!
You will leave with a structure for your screenplay, script pages
written and inspiration to finish your first draft.
"I had always wanted to write a screenplay but had no idea
how to begin. Elana's enthusiasm, patience and expertise have set
me on the right path to fulfill that dream." Greta Berlin,
Journalist, human rights activist, Los Angeles.
Fee: $450 (Including lunch). $225 deposit upon pre-registration,
non refundable after October 11th. First come, first served. Reserve
a space now.
For information and registration please call Elana, 323. 936. 2601
oremail her.
Elana Golden, writer, screenwriter, film & theater director,
teacher, founded the Los-Angeles based Writing Studio in January
2000. She holds a BFA in film from New York University and MA in
spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica. Elana
has taught hundreds of classes and workshops to writers from diverse
ethnic, religious, economic and educational backgrounds. She directed
short films and theater, worked on 40 feature films as script supervisor
and script consultant, and is gearing to direct her first feature
film from a script she wrote. A student of eastern philosophy and
meditation, peace maker, human rights activist and Reiki master,
Elana is known for her nurturing qualities and for effectively guiding
writers to find and trust their own unique voices
www.thewritingstudio.biz
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