TAHARA
Dir. Sara Rashad

Narrative, USA, 2004, 35mm, 17:30 min

SYNOPSIS
A short dramatic narrative film, revolves around Amina who must decide if she will submit to family pressure to circumcise her daughter or abandon this age old tradition because of pressure she receives from her mother when her husband's away on a business trip. Does Amina find the necessary courage to save Suha from the brutal physical and psychological effects of female genital mutilation?

CAST
(in order of appearance) Caroleen Khalil, Yousria Mours, Aia Nazmy, Ektimal Shbib, Ryan Sewell, Shari Vasseghi, Karen Dyer, Laila Dahger, Mona Sherif Nelson, Dori Mizrahi, Ilise Fertig, Ektimal Shbib, Zahra al Gabry, Maisa Faucette, Zeyenne Faucette, Veronica Patroni, Hosana Patroni, Senait Teklehaimanot, Alexandria Jackson, Joceyln Jackson, Marcy Guevara, Lejla Hadzimuratovic, Shelley Malil.

CREW
Writer, Producer, Director: Sara Rashad; Cinematographer: Mark Gutterud; Production Designer: Ektimal Shbib; Editor: Sara Rashad; Composer: Tamer Karawan

BIOS
Sara Rashad is the writer, producer, director and editor of the 17 minute and 30 second 35 mm version of TAHARA which has already won five prestigious grants based upon the integrity of the script: The American Association of University Women community action grant for projects promoting equity and education for women and girls worldwide; The Entertainment Industry Foundation Grant for projects that promote health education and awareness for women and girls; The Paul Robeson Pre-Production Grant for films which promote aggressive social change through media activism; The Roy W. Dean Film Grant for film projects which are unique and benefit society; and the Caucus Foundation Grant Award for new directors specializing in diversity from the Caucus Foundation for Television Producers, Writers & Directors.

Sara is also the award winning producer of many additional short films, including “Life is a Sweet,” which has won “best of fest” awards for it’s sensitive portrayal of women’s issues at international film festivals, including the Montreal World Film Festival. She also produced “Through Thick and Thin,” which won the Coca-Cola Refreshing Filmmaker’s Competition and screened before feature films nationwide. The five-minute version of TAHARA, a USC student film received international acclaim at festivals and won the support of many non-governmental organizations fighting to eradicate FGM encouraging her to make the longer version.

Sara earned a B.F.A. degree in acting from the prestigious Cornish College of the Arts, and has performed in local theatre for 10 years. Her experience acting and directing actors has allowed her to draw authentic performances from the non-actors in the film. She recently received an M.F.A. degree in film production from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television, one of the top film schools in the world. Since graduation, she has served as cinematographer, editor and producer on several award-winning narrative films and documentaries. She is currently developing her first independent feature film to be shot in Cairo, Egypt with Studio Masr in 2005.

Sara’s ability to adapt to different cultures and lifestyles has served her well in demanding production situations. She traveled through Bosnia during the war, assisting the producer on a documentary about war refugees, “Convoy to Bosnia.” She has also published short stories about her experiences being a first generation Egyptian-American and the difficulties assimilating into two cultures, including “Walking Like an Egyptian.” She currently resides between Cairo and Los Angeles.

Sara Rashad is a first generation Egyptian-American, raised trying to assimilate her parent’s Egyptian cultural beliefs with American values. She spends her summers in Egypt with her family, which inspired her interest in FGM and eventually led to her activism. Sara has traveled—solitary and unfunded—to urban and rural areas throughout Egypt to interview women about the psychology behind their traditional beliefs and practices. Sara recently spent four months in Egypt collaborating with the national FGM task force comprised of 40 member organizations dedicated to eradicating FGM throughout Egypt. Copies of the five minute film were distributed free of charge.

Sara interviewed the Egyptian Minister of Health, local journalists, FGM activists and physicians to obtain their input. She also spent an additional two months in rural areas with local women to gain a grassroots perspective. Sara consulted with all of these groups on the authenticity of the screenplay. Sara’s diligence in obtaining the perspective of urban and rural women, activists, and government workers has made TAHARA an authentic film.

Mark Gutterud – Director of Photography:
Mark has worked as a visual effects advisor in Hollywood for the last twenty years. His numerous credits include “Men in Black,” “The Truman Show,” “Armageddon,” and “Twister.” He has also served as the second unit cinematographer on such films as “Coyote Ugly.” Mark also worked as a visual effects advisor on director Tim Burton’s much-anticipated remake of the classic, “Planet of the Apes.” Mark’s unique visual style and vast experience communicating with Hollywood’s top directors provided an invaluable asset for the crew. Mark’s ability to deal with the trials of major Hollywood productions served well in making the TAHARA shoot run smoothly.

Ektimal Shbib – production designer:
Ektimal was born and raised in Jordan, but has lived and worked in the United States since 1990. She earned a B.A. degree in interior design from the prestigious Fine Arts College of Cairo, before permanently moving to Los Angeles. She has served as production designer for many short films as well as theatrical productions. She recently completed her certificate for film and television production through the UCLA extension program. Ektimal brings her Middle Eastern sensibility to TAHARA, as well as the authentic perspective of how an Arab woman would design her home after immigrating to the United States.

Caroleen Khalil – role of Amina:
Caroleen is a rising star in Egyptian cinema. She has won numerous acting awards for her cinema work. Most recently, she received an honorary acting award for the “Colors of Love” which played at the Ismalia International Short Film Festival in 2004. She also won a best supporting actress award for her film role in “Stay Alert” which played at the Alexandria International Film Festival in 2003. She recently starred in a TV series entitled “For Security Purposes.”

In addition, she performs in live theater and won an acting award in the Amman Theater Festival in 2003 for her performance in “Planet Mickey”, a musical satire about globalization and international politics.

She won best supporting actress awards at the 2000 Cairo Feature Film Festival and the 1999 International Mediterranean Film Festival for her performance in “The Devil’s Paradise.” She starred in “The Family and the People,” which won Outstanding Television Series of 2000 in Cairo. She also played the lead in the Egyptian television series, “The Many Faces of Justice.” Her success in cinema, television and live theater has made Caroleen a respected figure in Middle Eastern communities throughout the world. TAHARA is her acting debut in American cinema.

 

Contact: sara_rashad@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.taharafilm.com