Arabs Jews, a Critical PresentationVisiting Author Rachel Shabi Presents Her Book We Look Like the Enemy: the Hidden Story of Israel's Jews of Arab Lands

Jordan Elgrably introduces the evening with personal stories and a visual presentation.

"Niloofar"Levantine Center presents an exclusive director's screening of Niloofar, the acclaimed directorial debut by Franco-Lebanese director Sabine El Gemayel. Filmed in the Khuzestan Province of Iran, near the Iraqi border, this movie is in Persian with English subtitles (82 minutes). This is third film to screen in the New Voices in Middle Eastern Cinema series, which takes place every third Thursday of the month. A Q & A with writer/director Sabine El Gemayel will follow the screening.

Niloofar is a twelve-year-old girl whose dream is to read and write, but she lives in a village where education is only for boys. Her mother, a well-known midwife, insists that Niloofar become her apprentice. While assisting her mother during a delivery, Niloofar meets a feminist woman who undertakes to teach her in secret. Unfortunately, in exchange for a palm tree field, Niloofar's father promises her in marriage to an older man once she becomes a woman.

Horrified by this notion, Niloofar does everything in her power to postpone her first periods. Eventually, the inevitable occurs. However, Niloofar, who is determined to keep her freedom as long as possible, arranges to conceal the fact from her family for another two years until the truth can no longer be hidden. Then, rather than live in a marriage without love, Niloofar runs away with her friend. Shocked, her family considers itself dishonored and sends her step-brother to track her down.