Press
While Best Documentary Nominee “Warring Factions” did not win any awards...
...It was an intelligent and well-filmed piece directed by Iranian American Justin Mashouf, a young Muslim of mixed race (Iranian father/American mother). Justin documents his journey to Iran as he hooks up with family and bonds with a group of Iranian b-boys. An interesting parallel to the break-dancing scenes are his workouts at a zurkhaneh (house of strength), practicing the ancient Persian martial arts tradition of varzesh bastani (sport of the ancients), which dates back to pre-Islamic times and combines warrior style physical training with Sufi ideals. Thoughtful, imaginative and open, Justin seems to represent the new generation of Muslims in the Middle East and U.S. that balance Islamic culture with hip, contemporary lifestyles.
- Susanna Whitmore, Levantine Cultural Center
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