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The Diatribes of a Dying Tribe

Newest project from Narcy: Buy the book here.

"Diatribe of a Dying Tribe is about the jumbled reality of North American life. The destructive components of juxtaposing cultures, the birth of immigrant internationality and the resilient art that comes out of struggle and oppression.

It is the story of four young Arab men who joined forces to create their own representative governing meeting. Excentrik, Ragtop, Omar Offendum & the Narcicyst spent two weeks in California and endless hours on a computer crafting the Fear of an Arab Planet; an examination of the heightened anxiety towards Islam, the Oriental gaze towards the Arab face and the ever-growing paranoia of the ‘other’, all over some bangin’ beats to rock to. As a post-analytical view of the making of an album, this book serves as a document on the burgeoning Arab poetry scene, and how the two mother cultures of a migrant society coalesced through a modern hyper-culture called Hip-Hop. From TSA agents to ABC rappers, The Arab Summit were on a mission to be heard… and that is exactly what happened."

AUDIO: Spring Movements

Spring Movements by mashouf

Track produced by EQ

DOWNLOAD HERE

Spring Movements

Inspired by the uprisings occurring in the cradles of civilization, this film is an ode to movements striving to reclaim their dignity and sovereignty from their keepers.

As the seeds of spring begin to harvest, the earth purges herself of winter.

Credits:
Director/ Producer
Justin Mashouf

Dancers:
Kian Khiaban

Justin Mashouf

Cinematography/ Editor:
Dustin Shepard

Motion Graphics and Illustration:
Ehsaan Mesghali

Music:
EQ- Robert Diaz

This project was produced in an effort to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and North Africa who are demanding their right to be heard.

Repost from AslanMedia: Warring Factions Review

Dancing on a Tightrope: Justin Mashouf’s Documentary, “Warring Factions”

Kashif Ghazanfar, Aslan Media Music Editor

Despite the fact that my own attempts at “b-boying” (Breakdancing) have proven to be a series of catastrophic gyrations that exist somewhere between a spasm and accidental vulgarity, it is a form of dance and movement that’s always amazed and impressed me. Emerging from the urban streets of America, b-boying is raw and powerful, yet, incredibly artful and athletic in it’s execution. Justin Mashouf is one such example and his documentary, “The Warring Factions” is not only infused with electrifying scenes of him and others b-boying, but it is also an incredibly thoughtful exploration on his identity as a Muslim daring to dance across two cultures and traditions seemingly at odds with one another.

To be sure, this is no ordinary Muslim and no ordinary American. Initially, one is struck by the juxtaposition of his light brown hair and fair complexion with his strong, abiding faith in Islam. Mashouf’s mother is an American and his father is an Iranian. Neither of his parents are religious and, yet, Islam seems to be central focus for Mashouf and his emerging sense of identity. In “Warring Factions,” Mashouf deals with an array of complexities concerning how to define himself amid various competing ideas of faith and culture. Quite often these complexities are not explicitly stated but, rather, understood as one absorbs the film.

Amid the various scenes of b-boying in America and in Iran, Mashouf’s documentary attempts to dispel the stereotypes Muslims and Iranians face amid the current political climate in America, so suffused with vitriol against them. His own experiences as an adolescent in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy serve as a kind of genesis for his story and informs his passionate defense of both Muslims and Iranians.

Clearly, the entertainment highlight of the film is the various scenes of b-boying. The wild athleticism and grace involved in b-boying are framed by the inherent sense of kinship and community the dancers feel for one another. As Mashouf steps into the surrounding circles of his peers to dance, amid the raucous cheers and encouraging shouts of his fellow dancers from a myriad of faiths and ethnic backgrounds, his dancing transforms into an act of faith itself and, at least for moment, he’s freed from the vexing questions of who he ought to be. He becomes, instead, who he is.

The Story of Simorgh and Rostam

hip hop as resistance: #Jan25 Egypt

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Research Reel #1: Saalik

This is a short research reel for the currently untitled project I am working on about Muslims in the US prison system. I chose to upload this interesting conversation I had with Saalik Mustafa after Friday prayer held on the Southside of Chicago.

Indie Film Project: David

"David" trailer from Joel Fendelman on Vimeo.

“David” tells the story of Daud, an eleven year old Muslim boy growing up in Brooklyn. As the son of the Imam of the local mosque, he has to juggle his father’s high expectations, the dynamics of a conservative family, and being different – even from his peers in the Muslim community.

Through an innocent act of good faith, Daud inadvertently befriends a group of Jewish boys who mistake him for being Jewish and accept him as one of their own. While working together on a summer project, a genuine friendship is formed between Daud and Yoav, one of the Jewish boys. Unable to resist the joy of a camaraderie that he has never felt before, David, as he is known to the Jewish boys, gets drawn into a complicated situation that is based upon both the best of intentions, and youthful deceit.

When the Jewish boys discover that Daud has lied to them, his world is shattered, and he is left alone, struggling to come to terms with his place in the world.

via Indie GOGO page

Future Shock (1972)

"A chemistry professor recently stated that he couldn’t pass today’s examinations because at least two thirds of the questions require knowledge that didn’t exist when he graduated from Oxford in the early 30s.”

Read more: http://j.mp/f2I9n8

Jesus in Islamic Traditions

Jesus Teaches the People by the Sea (James Tissot 1886-1896)

Jesus said, “Who would build a house on the waves of the sea? This world is that house, so you should not take it as a dwelling.”

(Bihar al Anwar)

It is reported that the disciples were the followers of Jesus. Whenever they were hungry they said, “O Ruh of Allah! We are hungry.” Then Jesus would hit his hands on the ground and he would bring out two loaves of bread for each of them. Whenever they were thirsty they said, “O Ruh of Allah! We are thirsty.” Then Jesus would hit his hands on the ground, and brought out water and they drank from it. They asked, “O Ruh of Allah! Who is better than we? Whenever we want we are given food, and whenever we want water is given to us. We have faith in you and follow you.” Jesus said, “Better than you are those who work with their hands and eat from what they earn.” After this incident the disciples washed clothes by the stream and ate from their wages.”

(Bihar al Anwar)

The Apostles said to Jesus ‘O Ruh of Allah! With whom should we keep company?’ He said, "The one who the sight of whom reminds you of Allah, the speech of whom increases your knowledge, and the works of whom make you desirous of the next world.”

(Al Kafi)

Muslim Inmate Project: Chicago Update

photo by: Faiz Zuberi

I just completed 5 days of shooting in the notorious South side of Chicago for my current film on Muslims in the US prison system. Running camera for our 5 day shoot was Dillon Schneider of Reel Big Films and Matthew Rivera who did a great job at working on their feet. The main focus of my filming was around a transitional house (a house where ex-offenders live after prison but before completely re-entering society) and a job training program for Muslim ex-offenders. The transitional house coined “Project Restore” was initiated by a Muslim led community organization called the Inner-city Muslim Action Network (IMAN). Project Restore is an effort to quell the high recidivism rate of mostly black males in Chicago whose daily struggles tempt them right back into prison. The program starts with a focus on faith and self discipline for those who qualify for the program while they are finishing their sentences.

video still: Matthew Justin Rivera

I had the honor to spend time with Rafi Peterson, one of the project's founders who currently lives in the small three bedroom house. The Project Restore house offers an environment that adheres to an Islamic lifestyle complete with a designated prayer room and a no tolerance policy for alcohol, drugs, profanity, and sexual promiscuity. Project Restore residents are encouraged to serve the community of the South side and to become leaders in disarming the areas various gangs through an organization called Cease Fire. The Project Restore house's basement has become a space where the residents have organized local gang interventions to stop the violence between what they call the neighborhoods' “warring tribes.”

video still: Matthew Justin Rivera

Each resident is given a full time job working for “Project Green Re-entry” which trains those in the program in green home construction and renovation. From sustainable and recycled building materials, to energy efficient appliances and plumbing, the crew of Project Green Re-entry are learning the newest construction practices for job skills that are in high demand. Currently the project is busy in renovating a home that will serve as a second home for more Project Restore residents, which will be a living space for 6.

photo by: Faiz Zuberi

The current residents of the Project Restore house, Hassan and Taqi, will serve as the new administrators of the second house. Everyone I met affiliated with the program were truly inspiring people and in my opinion are some of the greatest examples of Muslims in America. Their sincere desire to help others like them and those in their community is nothing short of amazing. After living their lives behind bars they are eager to return to the same dangerous neighborhoods from which they came in order to dismantle the structures and the pressures that lead them to crime.

photo by: Faiz Zuberi

I am not exaggerating when I say I have never seen so many funeral homes in the same 5 mile radius in my life. We were told that the area sees a multitude of violent crimes everyday and we witnessed the result of funerals almost on every block. This year alone we were told that over 10 Chicago police officers have been killed and in some cases directly targeted by the violence in the area.

photo by: Faiz Zuberi

As a part of the project, I am collecting video messages from Muslim ex-offenders that I meet on the outside and I hope to share these messages with those I am in contact with on the inside, building a support system between the two.

photo by: Dillon Schneider

The community of Muslim ex-offenders we spoke to at projects Restore and Green Re-entry are people I will never forget and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to document their unique story for my current project.

Dipdiving

Assorted Pakistan Photos

Shopping for wifie

The SABA girls work on their reading every morning.

Planting trees in the SABA Homes garden

Saba Girls

It has been a blessing to spend time with the orphan girls here who have made me dance for them on many occasions. They seem to enjoy making Murad sing Indian songs he remembers from his childhood and insisting we learn their own style of patty-cake. In the way that they are cared for here, it is hard to call these girls orphans. The 26 girls live in a beautiful building with a large courtyard, library, multiple classrooms, as well as a "pray and play" room. Their two room mothers look over each room of 6 that is furnished with unique bedding for each girl. The girls attend private school about ten minutes away from their home but receive private tutoring sessions after school from teachers who come to SABA Homes.

These are a few portraits we took of the girls.

SABA Girls Karate Class

We filmed the SABA Girls last week during their karate class. The 26 orphan girls practice Shotokan karate and even get taught how to use the staff and train with a pair of really hard metal nunchucks.

They may look cute but they will not hesitate to knock you out. ;)

Flooded Village (Continued)

We were led through the interior of the village after nightfall. Many of the residents are living in tents and structures with dirt floors. These images are all stills taken from HD video on a netbook so the choice of video frames is fairly arbitrary.

Flooded Village

These are photos and video stills from the village of Deldar Gundri on the bank of the Kabul river. Their village was devastated by the flooding. Many of the homes were destroyed, along with their school. We visited last week to film Saba Trust handing out food supplies and clothing. Along for the ride were a few people from the Church of Latter-day Saints who were doing research on flood effected areas as well as evaluating the need of organizations serving flood victims.

Kids were rushing the van for food and clothes. We had to drive into a walled area to unload the food supplies so there would be less crowding.

Pakistan in Photos (so far)

Filming the SABA orphan girls at a park in Islamabad.

A baby enjoying the monkey show.
SABA girls watching the monkey show in the park.

Homie selling corn in Rawalpindi.

Lady with baby in a poor rural area an hour outside of Islamabad.

On the Way to Islamabad

We're in Dubai for a 2 hour layover on the way to Pakistan. We'll be flying to Islamabad to produce a short film on a girls school and orphanage in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. I'm traveling for the next 2 weeks.

We'll be posting photos from Pakistan in the days to come. Stay tuned...