Abstract:

A picture of an unknown Tajik woman found in a Russian book on Tajikistan encourages videomaker Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa to reflect on issues of exile and cultural conflict for Muslim women from Afghanistan and Iran living in the United States. Moving interviews with four women (including the director’s mother) are interwoven with personal observations, images of the Tajik woman and fascinating footage of Iran and Muslim culture in the US. A Tajik Woman touches on many issues familiar to Muslim immigrants: war and revolution, loss of homeland and conflict with fundamentalist Islamic values. Sharing these stories begins a much-needed dialogue for Muslim women; it also provides a better understanding of Muslim women who now live in the US. Visions of US (AFI), First Prize Women in the Director’s Chair “An incredibly brave and articulate description of the problems facing Muslim women who choose to live in a non-Muslim society.” Beth Berolzheimer Columbia College