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Jihad for Love, A
First Run Features


6.3

based on 14 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 3 votes
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Internet Movie Database

MPAA RATING: Not Rated

Starring Muhsin Hendricks, A.K. Hoosen, Mazen, and Abdellah Taia

Filmed in twelve countries and nine languages, A Jihad for Love is the world's first feature documentary to explore the complex global intersections between Islam and homosexuality. Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma enters the many worlds of Islam by illuminating multiple stories as diverse as Islam itself. Filming in secret and as a Muslim, Parvez makes the film from within the faith, depicting Islam with the same respect that the film's characters show for it. (First Run Features)

GENRE(S):	Documentary
WRITTEN BY:	Parvez Sharma
DIRECTED BY:	Parvez Sharma
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: April 21, 2009 Theatrical: May 21, 2008
RUNNING TIME:	81 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Entertainment Weekly Chris Nashawaty

Noble in intention but crude in execution.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray

Even though the message that people should have the right to love whomever they want is hardy groundbreaking, Parvez captures some interesting conversations about what it means to be gay and Muslim.

Boston Globe Michael Hardy

Director Parvez Sharma, a gay Muslim himself, takes pains to show the wide range of Islam's attitudes toward homosexuality.

San Francisco Chronicle David Wiegand

Often fascinating and provocative, although, as a film, it feels a bit long and somewhat repetitive.

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

A courageous documentary on the plight of gays in the Muslim world.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

We never learn why most of his subjects remain loyal to a faith that so explicitly rejects them.

The New York Times Nathan Lee

Mr. Sharma's film emphasizes testimony over context to such a degree that it feels at first of little use to anyone except gay Muslims who might take comfort in knowing they're not alone. But the documentary gains depth of feeling as it goes and even develops something of a nail-biting narrative.

Film Threat Phil Hall

Rich with compelling, often heartbreaking stories.

The Hollywood Reporter Ray Bennett

Much of what is shown onscreen is atmospheric filler, while the various characters describe being made outcasts because of their sexuality while holding on to their commitment to their faith.

Variety Dennis Harvey

Predicament makes the picture kin to 2001's "Trembling Before G-d," about gay Orthodox Jews. Both docs share the same fascination and limitation.

Village Voice Jim Ridley

Muslims, Jews, and Christians may have their, oh, occasional differences, but as an Islamic scholar observes early in Parvez Sharma's documentary, there is one point on which the world's divine religions agree: Homosexuality is a crime.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Kamal AL-Solaylee

Conclusions and answers are perhaps luxuries that Sharma's film can't afford.

Washington Post Philip Kennicott

The director raises the question that haunts the whole film: Who should feel shame: gay Muslims or the Muslims who oppress them?

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Technically, Jihad's images and assemblage seem on par for a first-time filmmaker, though the film's message is a moving plaint.

The average user rating for this movie is 6.3 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

megan w gave it a10:
This movie is sooo amazing! i love the fact that it brings me into a world i know nothing of. and you wouldn't expect the responses that are given from this movie about homosexuality and islam and its people. ah-mazing!

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Jihad for Love, A First Run Features

Jihad for Love, A
First Run Features