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Capsule summary: “The Taqwacores”
‘The Taqwacores’
This movie is as unusual as its title, which combines the word “taqwa” — the Islamic notion of love and fear for Allah — and “core,” as in hardcore punk.
Based on the novel by Michael Muhammad Knight, “The Taqwacores” focuses on a Pakistani American student who moves into a Buffalo, N.Y., Islamic boarding house dominated by punk rockers.
While there, the innocent Yusef Ali (Bobby Naderi) begins to question his notions about Islam, mainly because of his housemates. They drink, have premarital sex, smoke pot, sing in punk bands and let out a constant stream of curses. It’s particularly odd to see one of the female housemates doing some of this while wearing a full burka.
You have to suspect that traditional Islamists won’t find this very amusing. But “The Taqwacores” has heart, and it’s based on the notion that Allah accepts everyone.
The feature ranks as an auspicious debut for director Eyad Zahra, a Cleveland native who attented the Florida State University Film School. It played this year at the Sundance Film Festival.
Another movie, titled “Taqwacore,” is screening at SXSW. It’s a documentary about the punk Islamic movement, directed by Omar Majeed.
Screenings for the narrative feature: 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Alamo Ritz; Also, 3:30 pm. Wednesday at Alamo Ritz.
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