A Jihad For Love (2007/Human Rights Watch/First Run DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Documentary: B
Parvez
Sharma’s A Jihad For Love (2007) is
a remarkable documentary about how homosexuality is being handled (not for the
best) in increasingly radical Islamic territories in The Middle East. Many gays and lesbians are interviewed from
different countries about their situations.
Some live openly, some do not, while others have left for more tolerant
countries. Some people literally risked
their lives to make this documentary and what is said and shown are landmark.
The idea
of Jihad (and its stereotype, i.e. it automatically means holy war when it mean
struggle) is brought up and is meant to challenge radical extremists who hide
behind Islam. It is also a portrait of
the lives lived and another example of why rights should be a given for all and
are unquestionable to enough of an extent that people are not killed or
tortured for who they are. In addition
to that, it reminds us of the dark side of freer countries and why radicals
only win when they go unchallenged.
The 1.78
X 1 color image is from several sources, often strained low-def digital, but
that was often the only way to capture what was going on, so think of actual
undercover footage and you get the idea.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is sometimes stereo, but some of the
location audio can be more like mono, but editing helps and it is the real
audio. Extras include new footage from
Pakistan & Saudi Arabia, a director interview and behind the scenes
featurette.
- Nicholas Sheffo
