Cinémathèque Internationale of Philadelphia Presents: "Veiled Voices" By Brigid Maher

On June 10, Cinémathèque presents Brigid Maher's Veiled Voices (2009). Women across the Arab world are redefining their role as leaders in Islam. In, director Brigid Maher’s, insightful documentary film, Veiled Voices, three influential women Islamic leaders are profiled—along with their families and the communities in which they serve: Ghina Hammoud in Lebanon, Dr. Du’ad Saleh in Egypt and Huda al-Habash in Syria.

Filmed over the course of two years, Veiled Voices reveals a world rarely documented, exploring both the public and private lives of these women. As a divorced woman, Ghina Hammoud faces a personal challenge in gaining legitimacy as a leader, since divorce is controversial in communities throughout Lebanon. In Egypt, Dr. Su’ad Saleh must continually fight for public recognition by the Egyptian religious authority at al-Azhar—the famous Cairo mosque and university founded in the 10th century. Huda al-Habash in Damascus enjoys both institutional support and the support of her husband as she teaches women in Syria and lectures all over the Middle East, helping others “move…from ignorance to knowledge.”

Cinémathèque is a foreign film series curated by an independent media arts collective. These intimate screenings take place in designated venues within Center City Philadelphia with the intention of expanding the discussion surrounding international film language.

Doors open at 6:30pm. Films begins at 7:00pm. Discussion following each film. $10.00 General Admission. $5.00 for Students and Artists