Breaking Silence

A film by Nadya Ali

US | 2017 | 40 minutes | Color | DVD | Order No. 171214

Three Muslim women share their stories of sexual assault—and, in a deeply personal way, they challenge the stigma that has long suppressed the voice of survivors.

SYNOPSIS

Three Muslim women share their stories of sexual assault—and, in a deeply personal way, they challenge the stigma that has long suppressed the voice of survivors. Throughout America, many Muslim communities persist in stigmatizing all discussion of sex-related subjects. Even though sexual assault and abuse are widespread, conversations about it are rare—and the pressure for victims and their families to “keep it a secret” helps perpetuate abuse. BREAKING SILENCE takes a radical and humanizing approach to the emotional scars of sexual assault, giving women the space to share their voices without shame. Deepened by the perspectives of Imam Khalid Latif of The Islamic Center at NYU, the film challenges stereotypes and cultural beliefs held by both Muslims and the non-Muslim public. It is indispensable for those dealing with sexual assault and abuse in academic and non- academic settings, courses on Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and Women’s Studies, and for any discussion of violence against women.

PRESS

"Four Brave Muslim Women Break The Silence Around Their Sexual Assaults"

Huffington Post

SCREENING HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS

  • Best Documentary, Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival

ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)

Nadya Ali

Nadya Ali is a documentary filmmaker with a BA in environmental biology and human rights from Barnard College. Her passion is exposing truths relating to social justice, conservation, and environmental issues, as evident in her film BREAKING SILENCE, for which Nadya was the director and producer. She was inspired to make BREAKING SILENCE after knowing for several years about family members and friends who were sexually assaulted as children and she hopes the film will help inspire them, along with millions of others, to break their silence. (01/20)

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