Going to this screening, I didn't know A Veiled Revolution ( AVR) would be showing before Quest for Honor, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was a bit dated (just in time, not topic). It was beautiful and relavant, and compared to Quest for Honor had a hint of an archival look, that of course I loved so much. Some of the interviews are what really got me. To hear from the Egyptian women themselves from decades ago, who were all passionate and had different opinions amongst each other got me riled up that we have such strong opinions on them and their dress. Why do we care?? Why do we think we know what's best for them? The Egyptian women in the 1920's were the first to go in public unveiled. They already had a feminist movement from which came a change in dress. Starting in the 70's and continuing on, some women have started going back to the traditional 'Islamic dress', but by choice. I feel like our culture is incapable of viewing and understanding the Islamic dress as a choice and a personal statement. I'm sure that some women today would secretly confess that it is not their choice to wear it, but besides that, traditional Islamic dress is not required nor oppressive to all who wear it. I was really hit by those women who explained their move back to Islamic dress as a move to become closer to God and saving their appearance for their families and husband. This isn't something I would do or can relate to necessarily, but made me realized how incredibly ignorant we can be about other cultures, over and over across decades. After the screening that night I was on the phone with my boyfriend and we actually got in a fight about it. He was under the impression that it isn't fair and is oppressive. I'm typically the borderline feminist and would usually enraged about things like shrouding and the idea of Islamic dress. However, to see how passionate some of the women were about their choices, whether I'm on the same page as them or not, made me realize how muddled my own world views are of women in other cultures. After this film, I don't love or understand it completely, but I have a much higher respect for the women who believe in their culture and their morals and make such choices.
The main film screening, Quest for Honor, was also very good. I will admit, I remember much more about AVR than the feature. However my favorite idea or topic of the documentary was the movement for women's education, networking, and resources. In the past few years I have become much more interested and invested in women's rights, organizations, and resources so after the film my first reaction was wanting to show up and help at the women's center in the film. There was something very important and emotional in seeing women learning about politics in the mosque and reading the women's newspaper, while wearing traditional Islamic dress, especially after just learning about it in AVR.
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