Me and the Mosquers
Photo courtesy of Suzy Mack Photography
Related Articles
Mosquers Committee letter to the editor
Letter from “Thinly Sliced Strips” creator
The Mosquers and I
The Mosquers, a Muslim video contest based out of Edmonton, Alberta, is the brainchild of the Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations and a group of youth known as the Axis of E-Town. An award winning anti-racism initiative, this years’ event was hosted by Portia Clark of the CBC and attended by nearly 500 people in a standing room only facility at the University of Alberta. The feature judge on the film jury was Zarqa Nawaz, the creator of television show “Little Mosque on the Prairie”, with the other jurists being a local politician and a film professor.
Aside from the goodwill generated by the event, the lasting legacy of the event is the videos that have been generated from the two years of the competition. My introduction to the “Mosquers” came earlier this year in the form of a “private screening” of “False Confessions of a Muslim Lawyer” by the Western Muslim’s very own Ali Ahmad. This was also my introduction to him, it being the first time our paths crossed. This should alleviate the allegations of bias which I will inevitably be faced with. Also noteworthy in this regard is my general dislike of lawyers. Having said that, I enjoyed his film immensely, but more on that later.
My interest piqued by Ahmad’s film, I resolved to investigate the Mosquers further and inevitably ended up on the website for the Mosquers 2007 selections, which consisted of 10 videos in 3 categories; comedy, drama, and social conscious. Knowing beforehand of the amateur origins of the entries submitted, I consciously removed video quality, editing, acting, etc. from my personal criteria and chose instead to judge them on their originality, effort, relevance, etc.
What I was met with, unfortunately, regardless of how hard I attempted to lower my standards or take into the account the fact that this was the award’s first year, was disappointment. I expected, perhaps foolishly, that the progressive and relevant nature of the awards themselves would be reflected in the videos submitted to the competition. I expected that the awards credo to provide a forum for Muslim experience would attract unique, progressive and relevant films which, if not slick in quality, would at the very least be relatable and honest.
What I instead found was a host of war zone stock photography montages set to Islamic Music, Rap Music, or Islamic Rap music, a format which finds itself uploaded to YouTube by the hundreds on a daily basis. Just as popular as the “stock photography set to music” format was the “stock photography set to poetry” format, which shows slightly more effort but still fails to realize that a film competition should have film in it at some point.
There was also “Muslim Police” a veritable tour de force consisting of a Muslim Youth running around a Suburb without incident for 4 minutes straight.
Only one video stood out in my opinion, and this was “Hear My Language” which to me exhibited exactly what I felt a competition like this should be about; it was well photographed, well written and showed a level of thought and sophistication that I felt was sorely lacking in the other entries, making up for a small budget with originality. The fact that this video lost to, “Bleeding Oil”, a jingoistic power point presentation is absolutely unforgivable in my opinion.
Mosquers 2008
To say me and the Mosquers got off on the wrong foot would be an understatement. Nonetheless I decided to take Ali Ahmad’s video as an indication that the quality of entries had greatly improved since last year videos, an assumption which would again set me up for further disappointment as “False Confession of a Muslim Lawyer” would lose out in the comedy category to “Thinly Sliced Strips” a video which, while funny in its own regards, came off, unlike Ahmad’s video which exhibited clear purpose and story/character development, as a 16 minute catalogue (wasn’t there a 10 minute limit?) of a group of friends driving around and goofing off…which I suppose is precisely what it was. But “False Confessions” in many ways represented exactly what I expected all the entries to be like; namely a diary of a Muslim living in the West and the hilarity or drama that often ensues when seemingly contradicting values clash.
What struck me about “False Confessions” was that it was the only submission in two years (of the 18 I watched on youtube) about the Western Muslim experience which actually featured “Westerners.” Veiled for Dummies for example features a hijabi girl confronted by a “Non-Muslim” in a store who earnestly and brazenly asks her why she’s wearing a towel on her head and follows up by asking whether she’s bald. Thinly Sliced Strips, which won out over False Confessions, features an extended scene where a Non Muslim who owns a bacon shop berates the video’s three protagonists who happen into his store for being “terrorists.”
I wondered while I saw these videos if there was a correlation between these lame, even offensive, portrayals of Non-Muslims and the fact that the filmmakers literally didn’t know any white people who could play the roles of Non-Muslims, instead filling them with Muslims and having us use our imaginations. For this reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that what I was watching was not the experience of Muslims living in the West, but the experience of a handful of isolated Muslim characters cataloguing how they imagine they would be treated by Non-Muslims if they stopped imagining themselves as superior and actually integrated.
Ahmad’s film represented the former of these two. His interactions with Non-Muslim’s exhibit a realistic two way relationship; he did not opt to become, as in the other videos, the passive victim to Western bigotry. The misconceptions about him and Muslims in his video are presented in a comical and casual way by his non-Muslim characters, who posses motivations that go beyond an inherent sadistic need to dehumanize Muslims. These characters are not slaves to their own misconceptions but are rather just as sympathetic and human as the film’s “Muslim Lawyer”, who in turn is just as shallow and superficial as they are, and the complexity of these social arrangements inevitably proves refreshingly realistic while having enough subtle exaggeration to work as effective satire.
Apart from being on a completely different level of sophistication than Thinly Sliced, False Confessions is simply downright funny; possessing quality of writing, structure and execution that should not be overlooked, and as a bonus, it’s even acted well. Why it lost and more specifically what the judges were thinking is a mystery to me. Perhaps its questionable un-Islamic content worked against its favor; it does after all exhibit flagrant and unapologetic use of unveiled women, implied male posterior nudity, and briefly features a full frontal shot of a beer bottle (gasp!) Any of which guarantee it an NC-17 rating in the Muslim Community. Perhaps people weren’t ready for it.
One can argue that the urgent need for positive Muslim PR justifies at least a temporary slackening of standards until Muslim artists become established enough to stand on their own feet, which I think is a fair argument to a certain point. I would also argue that now more than ever we should be demanding a quality of media that can hold its own not only in the Muslim Community but in the greater culture as a whole. There is no denying that the Mosquers are a much needed artistic forum for Muslims, and to say it is a step in the right direction would be a gross understatement. But thus far, the Mosquers have been a missed opportunity and the quality of submissions have for the most part not met the greater project in terms of ambition. It has, however, only been two years and there is no where to go but up.
For more information about the Mosquers please visit www.themosquers.com
Email • Print • Share on Facebook •
Add to del.icio.us •
Stumble It!
I appreciate the kind words from my collegue, but I have a few issues with the article.
Firstly, it’s not accurate to say it’s unbiased. Every critic has a bias to a particular type of movie. I understand there is no personal bias, if that’s what you meant (although I suspect people might not believe that).
Secondly, the article focuses a lot on the comedy category. I understand why you did that - it’s where the difference between two really good films - with different take home messages - is greatest. Thinly Sliced took home a lot of big laughs and the top prize. My movie was aimed at the critics, and to wit, I got a good review, but lost at the box office!
But by focusing only on Comedy, you didn’t represent some of the great films in other categories (some of which aren’t on youtube.) This year’s films were technically superior to last years (and most were technically far better than mine). It would be worthwhile for people to check out those other films.
All in all, the event was a huge success and a credit to the organizers. It is my sincere hope that this project continue to get bigger and better in the years to come.
I heard there was a lot of buzz about this article, but no one has commented. Here are my thoughts about the other two categories at the Mosquers:
The jduges were looking for originality, technical quality, narrative and power of expression - for me, all of these things have to relate to the overall theme of the Mosquers -“to grab a camera and tell your story about life in Canada.”
In my opinion, the two best films in social conscious and drama were both misplaced in the other categories. Someone should have fixed this before the competition.
“Mahmoud” is not a drama. It has no plot, characters or conflict. It is however, a visually appealing film with a thoughtful narrative about the a Muslim finding his Islamic “social conscious” despite the day to day monotony of western life. My winner.
The actual winner in this category, Born into Poverty, is heavily influenced by Western Muslim blogger Aurenzeb Qureshi. It’s not original - it’s the same format as 2007’s My Reflections, with better camera work. I found the aggressive narration hard to follow and there’s a scene in the film which shows a police officer interacting with a youth with the caption “fair justice?” - so completely devoid of context it is almost “mainstream”. The film didn’t directly relate to Muslims. It was good, but not better than Mahmoud.
(For next year, can someone make a film on IFFSA’s stuggle to serve poor Muslims or about life in Islamic schools?)
The film that should have won in drama is “Safia’s New School”. It’s quite clearly a drama - characters, plot, conflict, resolution - even if a simple one. It was wonderfully original. It was the only animation and put together well. It related to Muslim life in Canada and had a honest message. I loved it. Too bad it was in the wrong category.
The winner in this category, “The Perfect Orange” was a good film. Using a folk tale is original, but story is borrowed. I would have liked for the writer to modernize the tale somehow. The acting from the young man in this film is what sets it film apart. For me this is the Runner Up.
Honestly, Grow up, or get a life?
I watched “Thinly Sliced Strips” and “False Confessions of a Muslim Lawyer”
My personal opinion is that, the only thing that actually made me laugh is the fact that your crying to have this award re-awarded to you.
Im going to do you and the rest of the community a favor,
Call up Linda at
Ribbon Factory & Trophy Shop The
Write a review
14203 129 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5L 4N9, Canada
(780) 452-1453
I have prepaid a whole package of very nice little “Thank you For Participating, You Are All Winners” Ribbons, That you may pick up.
Further more, if you have any more questions or concerns, kindly keep them to your self.
Thanks for your opinion sir. For the record, I take exception to anyone who thinks I wrote the article above or told anyone to write the article above. The Western Muslim (and Inspire Magazine) has been running long before I joined a few months ago. If you think the editors would let me voice sour grapes (or that I would even using the magazine to do that - look at what my previous articles have been about) under someone elses name and throw away the brand they’ve built over a regional contest and for a writer that just joned last year, that’s extremely small minded. A large chunk of our readers aren’t in Alberta.
And if I am going to critize someone, I’ll put it under my own name. But I also get that it’s easier to challenge someone’s integrity if you don’t like what they have to say than to address what they actually said. I’m glad someone had enough nerve to comment, rather than me hearing it second hand. I guess you were the only one paying attention during the film “Gheebah?...
You said a lot of things, but what you also didn’t do was address any of the points the author made. Did the Mosquers succeed in getting people to tell their story about Muslim life in Canada?
Hmmm…I wasnt able to watch all of the videos entered for this contest, but I think you are certainly entitled to your opinion. Hopefully this will just encourage more people to view the entries and form opinions for themselves.
I thought *False Confessions of a Muslim Lawyer* was funny, although I didnt necessarily identify with the whole Jew hating thing, which I think, thankfully, is not as rampant in North America as it is in other countries. I have not grown up with that sentiment and neither have I heard it around my Muslim peers. I understand it was meant to mock the idea itself, but I think that this sort of thing is a common stereotype that non-Muslims find funny (but not Muslims themselves)...precisely because they assume it to be more of a widespread and integral part of our culture than it is. I think it also takes away from the whole Israel-As-A-Terrorist-State point of view, and labels all Muslims who have a an issue with illegal acts of terror perpetuated by certain countries as *Jew-haterators* which is most certainly NOT true.
But, I digress, perhaps causing the winds of controversy to blow my way…
Where you said that the Muslim community was not ready for some of the more risque ideas presented in the video…well, maybe they dont need to be. It is all relative, anyway, things that we do not find scandalous in our day to day lives, many other people do. And while they do draw in laughs, there is really nothing super groundbreaking about shocking people as a means of entertainment. That kind of stuff is so ubiquitous, I dont really see a reason to start producing Muslim facsimiles.
Although, I cant lie, I did laugh.
Err…my comment is addressed to the article above. Although, Mr.khojasaab, you are certainly entitled to your opinion too, as entirely untrue as it may be. I think its important for there to be honest feedback so we can raise the bar if need be. And if you believe that Mr. Mohiudeens article was so off base, then we should expect to hear from other people who hold differing opinions. All is fair in the era of YouTube, my good sir.
I believe the point of this award show was to showcase the talents of the Muslim community within Canada, and to provide an opportunity for artistic expression. The fact that one individuals review on the subject matter, has escaladed to trivial comments, pot shots and low blows that add little to the critique and are more of a personal attack that an objective opinion, devalues the message that “The Mosquers” was hoping to portray. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, as has been so noted by the above responses.
The fact is that all the individuals who entered their films into this award show, showcase the merits associated with a proactive group of Canadian Muslims, and for that they should be commended. Although I am delighted to see that such discussion has been generated regarding both the videos entered in the competition, and also the competition itself, it should be noted that personal attacks add little to no value to a mature, thoughtful and insightful conversation.
I personally enjoyed all the videos posted and appreciated them not for the rank that they attained during the award show, but for the message that they conveyed, and the medium through which they were delivered.
Well done to all involved.
Just wanted to add something future film producers/directors may be interested in…
I noticed a lot of licensed music being used for the videos, and there wasn’t much Muslim content as far as music is concerned. And I’m not talking about nasheed or hymns or anything like that, but there’s a wide variety of music made by Muslims on the web, and they’re easy to find on MySpace. From hardcore punk to drum and bass. From happy hardcore to fusion. From hip hop to eurodance. I am slowly growing a network of muslim musicians on my MySpace friends list.
Perhaps I can post links to them here if anyone is interested. My own music can be found at http://www.myspace.com/nrxic , and if you go thru my friends list you can find other Muslim musicians (they only constitute 5% of my friends at the moment, it will grow inshallah as I do more research).
Anyways, the point is that you can have a completely original song for your movie. And it’s made by fellow Muslims to boot. Original songs mean that they can tie that song in with your movie, rather than bringing up previous connotations and associations to that song. If I’m not making myself clear, here’s an example. If one of the movies at the Mosquers had the Jurrassic Park theme song in the background…it already has a connotation with it and its distracting.
Anyways I’ve typed way too much for a simple point. Just wanted to share that.
Salaam.
To build on my last point, I’m building a list of MySpace Muslim musicians and I’ll post them all in my blog so that future and present directors can implement in their movies. So keep an eye on my blog. I want to make it very comprehensive and complete so I may take a good week developing it.