Monday, May 25, 2009

Shane Acker's "9"

I watched Shane Acker's "9" short film on youtube.com and thought it was genius. They are now making the short into a feature length movie with Tim Burton - more on that here.

In an interview with Shane Acker on AnimationTrip.com, if you scroll half way down -Acker starts talking the symbolism that is used in the short film.

The part that stuck out to me when he was talking about why he chose the number 9 as the main character:
"But my basic philosophy or idea behind the numbers was 9 was about as close as you can get to perfection. You know, let’s say perfection is 10. So I think that we can never achieve that perfection. We’re always flawed – every one of us. And I think 9 represents as close as you can ever possibly get to that perfection. And so that’s what 9 is."

I think that concept can be compared to the human state - one can always try to strive for perfection, but we always will have flaws. Regardless, what matters is that we are constantly striving, inshaAllah.

The coolest part about the movie is the concept of knowledge overpowering force (watch the movie to see what this is all about)

Overall, this "9" has a lot of thought put into it - not just another mindnumbing movie, but one that is interactive with the audience and keeps you on your toes. I look forward to watching the feature length movie in September, inshaAllah!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Muslim Women Fashion...

Not a movie - but still an art. This one in specific is one that gives a different perspective and challenges stereotypes of Muslim Women.

Elenany Fashion - reported by The Guardian

Shout out to Yasmin Hussein from Florida for showing me the link!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

New Muslim Cool in Ann Arbor!


Come to the New Muslim Cool veiwing in Ann Arbor, along with a discussion panel afterward.

Check it out on facebook.com


The event is free!




Monday, May 18, 2009

Re-Focus...

After a short hiatus, I've come to the conclusion to change the direction of this blog, inshaAllah.

My goal inshaAllah is to change the focus of this blog. InshaAllah I will be posting up links to cool short videos that have positive messages or relay a good concept and then asking questions in order to start a discussion.

I will also try to focus more on independent short films - mostly because independent movies usually do not have to stick to Hollywood or mass media audience restrictions of excessive and unnecessary violence or sexuality.

The intention inshaAllah, is to use this blog to give Muslims a database for good independent movies to watch as an alternative to the junk that is out there today.

Here's a good start with a short film on youtube. Really good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao

What morals are portrayed in this short film? Can something as simple as Free Parking (or something else?) really change the world? What symbolism is portrayed in the movie?