Burqa And Stilettos

Watch Beauty and the East’s Coverage of the Arab American Comedy Festival.

There is some seriously funny stuff here.  I applaud the comedians and the organizers for putting the show together in this polarized political environment where everyone takes themselves way too seriously.  Sometimes the best way to connect people is through comedy and to show the commonality in all of us.  Enjoy!

SAVE THE DATE

Groundbreaking Afghan and Iranian American Writers Celebrate Now Ruz, the Persian New Year

The Asian American Writers’ Workshop, the Association of Iranian American Writers, the Association of Afghan American Writers, and Arte East are sponsoring A New Day: Readings by Afghan and Iranian American Writers.

Join the celebration that will bring together the deeply entwined histories of Afghan and Iranian cultures and the experiences of life in diaspora.  “This reading is inspired by our desire to forge new artistic collaborations in the US, where the breadth and insight of our many stories are most urgently needed,” said Zohra Saed, co-director of the Association of Afghan American Writers.

WHAT: A New Day: Readings by Afghan and Iranian American Writers

WHO:

• Aphrodite Desiree Navab – Greek-Iranian-American poetic prose writer
• Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet – Iranian-American novelist, professor of Middle Eastern history and Director of the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania
• Naheed Elyasi – Afghan-American writer, and founder of Burqa and Stilettos
• Sedika Mojadidi – Afghan-American writer, producer, and documentary filmmaker
• Sahar Muradi – Afghan-American writer, activist, and co-editor of the Anthology of Contemporary Afghan American
• Dalia Sofer – Best-selling author of The Septembers of Shiraz

WHEN: Friday, March 12, 2010, 7 PM

WHERE: Asian American Writers’ Workshop

16 W32nd St, Suite 10A New York, NY 10001

$5 cover charge. A collection will also be taken to support the Committee to Protect Journalists (cpj.org)

A New Day: Readings by Afghan and Iranian American Writers will be hosted by Zohra Saed, co-director of the Association of Afghan American Writers, and Manijeh Nasrabadi, co-director of the Association of Iranian American Writers.

I haven’t seen Four Lions yet, and and will try to get my hands on it asap, but the trailer is amusing and interesting. Four Lions by British comedian, Chris Morris, tells the story of a group of jihadists who pursue their dreams of glory. As the wheels fly off, and their competing ideologies clash, what emerges is an emotionally engaging farce.

Four Lions is based on three years of researching surveillance materials from major trials, and meetings with everyone from imams to ex-mujahedeen. Four Lions goes beyond seeing these young men as alien or evil, instead, it portrays them as human beings.

Some people may not find it funny. The best defense is a better offense and nothing is better than humor, if it’s done well. Frankly, the heated debates, the blame games, and the angry tirades are not working, but only making people and attitudes more polarized. Why not try something new to show the absurdity of it all?

If anyone has seen this, I’d love to hear your opinions.