Story and Significance

Daughters of a Different Path is a story about a young African American woman, Leanna, who seeks her mother’s acceptance. After her mother rejects her decision of becoming Muslim, Leanna begins to deal with inner obstacles of doubt. The story is not only about Leanna’s conversion and the repercussions of her decision, but also a story about transforming her mother’s rejection to love.

Why This Story?

There are many depictions of Arabs as bloodthirsty, violent people who plunder and rape. These are the kind of portrayals I grew up with as a kid and made me ashamed of my identity. Consequently, I did everything in my power to erase that part of myself. For me, being White meant being socially and economically secure. However, since then I have made it my goal in life to retell our story. In doing so, I hope to find my voice as a person of color living in America and to use my lived experience and my research on other Muslim Americans to create more authentic portrayals, ones that do not involve being a villain.

Relevance

Films can help people. Films can hurt people. The history of American cinema has denigrated people of color for decades. Upon seeing the problematic film, The Birth of a Nation (D.W. Griffith, 1915), President Woodrow Wilson referred to it as “writing with lightning.” The film is controversial for its dehumanizing depiction of African Americans and subsequent rejuvenation of the Ku Klux Klan. As a result, it contributed to the lynching and death of many African Americans. More broadly, the narrative of America is false. It was built on the exploitation and villainization of minorities. In popular culture, negative depictions have been repeatedly projected on screen for Americans to subconsciously internalize. As a result, it will take decades to reimagine the stories of people who have been historically marginalized and villainized on screen. The problem includes stereotypical depictions of Arabs, which have had a damaging effect on the lives of Arab Muslim Americans. Cinema has the power to demonize people, but it can also be used as a positive tool to illuminate lives that are too often distorted or unacknowledged. 

Looking at films that have made a mark on the industry within the past decade, there is a noticeable shift towards demand for stories of people who are marginalized. As a person of color, I see an unprecedented opportunity to ride the waves of change and have our story be told truthfully. The character in my film is human. It is important for me to not conceal the truth by depicting the character as an angel. She is flawed. Muslims make mistakes like everyone else, but that does not make us terrorists. Daughters of a Different Path is a project that will help me break out and continue creating stories of similar resonance for the Arab Muslim Community.

Research

I have consulted various works about Muslim women converts living in America throughout the screenwriting process to achieve an accurate representation and get at the truth of the story. Reference books include Muslim Women in America by Yvonne Yazbeck, Jane I. Smith, and Kathleen M. Moore. Additionally, I have had the tremendous opportunity of speaking with Muslim women converts who have graciously shared their harrowing experiences and challenges joining Islam.

As their account confirm, typically the hijab is associated with violence, abuse, and oppression. This film aims to dismantle these ideas and depict the headscarf in a more positive light, so that for the main character, the hijab represents strength.

Cast and Crew

The crew member on Daughters of a Different Path have worked together on numerous productions before. In addition, we have a great understanding about what it takes to create a film. We make it my priority to bring on crew members who believe in the story, as it will create a more positive and productive experience on set. Because we know how difficult it is for minorities to gain the same opportunities as individuals who are well situated, we have devoted our energy towards cultivating a diverse and inclusive on-set experience. If you would like to read more about us, visit THE TEAM tab.

Plan of Action and COVID-19 Protocol

Currently, we are in the pre-production stage and hope to secure our cast and locations soon. After that, we will begin rehearsals and camera preparation. Additionally, we plan on shooting on February 13-14th and 20-21st . Our priority is to maintian a safe work enviroment for every cast and crew member on set. By using a 3-tier structure on set, we will limit the amount of people in one space. Those who are in tier one is necessary and need to be always on set. These Individuals will be working closely with the actors. We will make sure that the cast is wearing their masks in between takes and rehearsal. In the second tier are crew members who do not always need to be on set, however, they will be frequently on set making changes. For instance, the gaffer, grip, assistant camera people, and occasionally the Director of Photography. The last tier includes those who rarely, if not ever, need to be on set. Crew member who can work from home or off set, such as the producer and digital imaging technician. In additional to our tier system, we will have safety supplies and masks available to all crew members. By contributing to this campaign, you will be affording us the means to create a safe set enviroment for our cast and crew members. With your support, this film timely film will come to life safely. 

Film Festival Submissions 

One film festival we plan on submitting to is the Muslim Film Festival on Film freeway. The MFF would be a great festival to submit to because Daughters of a Different Path is a story that alligns with the work they showcase. The deadline to submit is May 1st 2021, which aligns perfectly with our schedule as we will have completed the film by then.

Another film festival we will be submitting to is the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival. The Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival is committed to discovering and sharing some of the most exciting and thought provoking films from around the world. Our aim is to use film as a means for presenting topics and issues that are timely, relevant and generate meaningful discussion about Muslims and the Muslim world.

Closing Note

Daughters of a Different Path, in short, aims to direct audience attention to “the other.” In today’s narrow-minded world, it seems that many people would rather be comfortable and stay with likeminded individuals who think in binary ways, clinging to familiar good vs. evil narratives. But in fact, what one finds in acknowledging and spending time with “the other” is the glory of releasing oneself from the tyranny of one’s own set of experiences. It also leads to finding in “the other” the universality that one might fear. Therein lies the power of cinema, as a tool for positive cultural change. Daughters of a Different Path upends intolerant notions and challenges, or allows, the viewer to engage with a Muslim woman. Exploring the humanity in people who have been de-humanized is what Spike Lee, Ava Duvernay, and Elia Suleiman do in their films, and it is what I hope to do in my work as an artist and citizen of the world. 

~ Ahmad Ghanim