Mooz-lum
Encyclopedia
Mooz-lum is a 2010 American independent film
written and directed by Qasim "Q" Basir and starring Danny Glover
. Mooz-lum (i.e. "Muslim") tells the story of an African American Muslim
family whose lives are changed by the September 11 attacks and their aftermath
. The film was initially promoted primarily through social media
, before opening for its limited theatrical release on February 11, 2011.
New peers, family and mentors help him find his place, but the 9/11 attacks force him to face his past and make the biggest decisions of his life.
and Eastern Michigan University
. The mosque scene was filmed at the Islamic Center of America
in Dearborn, Michigan
.
, in his Detroit hometown. Basir asked him for guidance on how to succeed in the industry. Lee simply replied, "Write a good script, man."
Basir, now 30, followed Lee's simple advice, which led him to eventually write, and direct his first full-feature film, Mooz-lum, starring Nia Long
, Danny Glover
, Evan Ross
and Roger Guenveur Smith
. Partnering with AMC and Eventful, the film was released nationally in February 2011.
Mooz-lum is based on the trials of Tariq Mahdi (Ross), a Muslim-American boy who struggles to find his identity while enduring the forces of his strict father, other Muslims, and non-Muslims who are pulling him in different directions.
"I said 'yes' immediately and wanted to make sure I represented Muslim women properly," Long said. "A piece like this sheds light on an area of life that we may not really know and have never seen portrayed on the screen, and that is what really attracted me to the part."
According to the film's Web site, Mooz-lum embraces four words: "Forgiveness, Tolerance, Hope and Identity." Basir said, "I hope this film is well-received and it opens minds, because right now, there is an immense amount of ignorance surrounding Islam and Muslim people and I just want to put a human face on it."
.
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
written and directed by Qasim "Q" Basir and starring Danny Glover
Danny Glover
Danny Lebern Glover is an American actor, film director, and political activist. Glover is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film franchise.-Early life:...
. Mooz-lum (i.e. "Muslim") tells the story of an African American Muslim
Islam in the United States
From the 1880s to 1914, several thousand Muslims immigrated to the United States from the Ottoman Empire, and from parts of South Asia; they did not form distinctive settlements, and probably most assimilated into the wider society....
family whose lives are changed by the September 11 attacks and their aftermath
Post-9/11
Post-9/11 is a term used to describe state of living in the United States or other parts of the world after the September 11 attacks, in reference to the many changes that have occurred due to the attacks...
. The film was initially promoted primarily through social media
Social media
The term Social Media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0,...
, before opening for its limited theatrical release on February 11, 2011.
Plot
Amid a strict Muslim rearing and a social life he has never had, Tariq Mahdi (Evan Ross) enters college confused.New peers, family and mentors help him find his place, but the 9/11 attacks force him to face his past and make the biggest decisions of his life.
Filming
The movie was filmed in Southeastern Michigan. Although the college attended by Tariq is never explicitly identified, most of the college scenes were filmed on location on the campuses of the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
. The mosque scene was filmed at the Islamic Center of America
Islamic Center of America
The Islamic Center of America is a mosque in Dearborn, Michigan, opened in 2005, that is the largest in North America. It caters mainly to the Shi'a Muslim congregation; however, all Muslims may attend this mosque....
in Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
.
Reception
In 2004, aspiring director Qasim "Q" Basir happened to cross paths with one of the best in the profession, Spike LeeSpike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
, in his Detroit hometown. Basir asked him for guidance on how to succeed in the industry. Lee simply replied, "Write a good script, man."
Basir, now 30, followed Lee's simple advice, which led him to eventually write, and direct his first full-feature film, Mooz-lum, starring Nia Long
Nia Long
Nia Talita Long is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Boiler Room, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, Big Momma's House 2, Are We There...
, Danny Glover
Danny Glover
Danny Lebern Glover is an American actor, film director, and political activist. Glover is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film franchise.-Early life:...
, Evan Ross
Evan Ross
Evan Olav Næss is an American actor and musician. He is the son of entertainer Diana Ross. He is the brother of actresses Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Tracee Ellis Ross, and of singer Leona Naess. He began acting in the late 2000s, appearing in the films ATL and Pride...
and Roger Guenveur Smith
Roger Guenveur Smith
Roger Guenveur Smith is an American actor, director, and writer.-Early life:Smith was born in Berkeley, California, the son of Helen Guenveur, a dentist, and Sherman Smith, a judge...
. Partnering with AMC and Eventful, the film was released nationally in February 2011.
Mooz-lum is based on the trials of Tariq Mahdi (Ross), a Muslim-American boy who struggles to find his identity while enduring the forces of his strict father, other Muslims, and non-Muslims who are pulling him in different directions.
"I said 'yes' immediately and wanted to make sure I represented Muslim women properly," Long said. "A piece like this sheds light on an area of life that we may not really know and have never seen portrayed on the screen, and that is what really attracted me to the part."
According to the film's Web site, Mooz-lum embraces four words: "Forgiveness, Tolerance, Hope and Identity." Basir said, "I hope this film is well-received and it opens minds, because right now, there is an immense amount of ignorance surrounding Islam and Muslim people and I just want to put a human face on it."
Critical response
As of February 13, 2011, Mooz-lum has received an overall rating of 71% from all critics (5 fresh and 2 rotten) at Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
.
Awards and honors
- 14th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival 2010 - Best Narrative Feature
- Chicago International Film FestivalChicago International Film FestivalThe Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America....
2010 - Official Selection - 34th Cairo International Film Festival - Official Selection
Further reading
- Basir, Qasim. "I Am a Muslimerican." Huffington Post, August 19, 2010.
- "Film 'Mooz-lum' Confronts Public Perceptions Of Islam" - National Public Radio, September 20, 2010.
- ""Mooz-lum": faith flourishing in freedom" - Contending Modernities, February 17, 2011.