Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 12-02-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
Hollywood Reporter: Muppets are definitely having a moment. First, Jim Henson’s creations got their big-screen revival in The Muppets movie, and now, the beloved Sesame Street characters have found a new home: in Afghanistan.
Titled Baghch-e-Simsim (Sesame Garden), which made its television debut Thursday, is locally-produced, but features the popular American television characters, Elmo, Big Bird and Grover.
Some of the other show stalwarts, Oscar the Grouch and The Count, had to be cut for cultural reasons.
“Millions of American children and children around the world have enjoyed growing up watching and learning from this show,” said U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker in a statement. “The United States is proud to have partnered with the Afghan Ministry of Education and members of the Afghan media to help bring this educational programming to Afghanistan.”
Sesame Street has other co-productions around the world, including Egypt, Bangladesh, Mexico and Russia.
Tags: sesame street, afghanistan
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-23-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under:
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-23-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Leaders/Stories
DURHAM, N.C. — Artist Todd Drake has aimed his camera lens at truck drivers, Alzheimer’s patients and employees of an exotic nightclub. But he’s trying to build interfaith bridges by asking Muslims to turn the lens on themselves.
Drake’s traveling exhibit, “Muslim Self Portraits,” started after he decided he needed to learn more about his Muslim neighbors.
“I just started cold-calling mosques,” Drake said during an exhibition of his work at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. “I had an intuitive feeling that they would be interested in this project. I asked them to represent themselves, not to let me define them.”
Drake, an artist-in-residence at Rockingham Community College in North Carolina, has completed several fellowships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Part of his project was based on a Fulbright fellowship in Bahrain.
After studying the American South and then North Carolina’s undocumented farmworker migrant community, he decided he wanted to learn more about Muslims in the Tar Heel State, asking Muslims to photograph themselves.
The beguiling and often startling exhibit has been shown at colleges and universities in New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Michigan, as well as in Saudi Arabia and Canada.
In January, the exhibit opens at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures at Indiana University in Bloomington. St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y., will host the exhibit beginning in April 2012, and the University of Chicago also plans to show it next year.
Initial reactions from Muslims to his project have been positive, Drake said, but comical at times. “At first many people thought I was doing a paper for college and they said, ‘Yes, you may come to our mosques.’”
“Just about every stereotype one might have about the Muslim world I have found is not true,” Drake said. “I have also found a young people culture that cares more about Hollywood than Osama bin Laden. They are evolving.”
“I think there is a lot less to fear there than certain media or certain voices would have us believe.”
Drake hopes the exhibit will help viewers replace fear with openness and curiosity when encountering Muslims. “I hope they will see them as they see anyone else,” he said
Tags: muslim self portraits, todd drake
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-21-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
TLC’s new series, All-American Muslim, scored solid ratings for the network with close to two million viewers tuning in to last week’s season premiere. At the same time, it has attracted a lot of attention from viewers about the show’s Dearborn, Mich. cast members and how they reflect the lifestyles of American Muslims.
On the series premiere, we saw Jeff, an Irish Catholic, convert to Islam, so that he can marry Muslim fiancé Shadia. On Sunday’s episode, we saw another example of how the religion is expressed in the cast members’ lives when the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, arrives.
In The Hollywood Reporter’s exclusive clip above, Fouad, the coach of the predominately Muslim Fordson High School football team, creates a novel way of continuing practice around the fasting rules of Ramadan. We also see how that affects one of the few non-Muslim athletes.
All-American Muslim airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on TLC.
Tags: tlc, all american muslim, fordson high school
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-17-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
TMZ: Ryan Seacrest is being sued by a woman who claims she was “humiliated” in a taping of the new reality show he’s producing called “Shahs of Sunset” ... insisting she was “forced against her will” to play the role of the “bad girl.”
The show is being hailed as the “Persian Jersey Shore”—featuring a bunch of young, rich Persians galavanting around Los Angeles.
But according to a new lawsuit, filed by a woman named Kathy Salem, the show is just as insane and violent as every other reality show in TV ... a lesson she claims she learned at a fancy Hollywood party back in July. Salem claims she signed a waiver before entering the shindig and understood she would appear on the show ... but “she did not understand that she might be blind sided and forced against her will to play a demeaning and humiliating role.”
Salem claims when she was inside the party, she was confronted by the stars of the show—who began to bully her and become “verbally abusive” because she was talking to a man who was allegedly engaged.
Salem claims things escalated quickly—and she was attacked by multiple people—one of whom tried to rip her top off and another who threw a cup of water in her face. Salem claims the show is set to air in February—but she wants a judge to force Ryan to pull any footage in which she appears.
Salem is suing Seacrest, his production company and Bravo—demanding at least $100,000 in damages.
Calls to Seacrest’s people have not been returned. rep for Bravo tells us, “Bravo has not seen a copy of the complaint, and thus we cannot comment.”
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-14-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
Following the international hit The Boy who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan, The Boy Mir covers not just one year but ten years in Afghanistan. It tracks an 8-year old Afghan boy as he journeys into early adulthood in one of the toughest places on earth. It is a film that is unmatched in mirroring and unveiling the vitally important story of modern Afghanistan. The film has won numerous awards at over a dozen film festivals around the world including “Best Documentary” and “Winner: Audience Award”. Media coverage includes CNN, LA Times, NY Times, Washington City Paper, The Independent, Evening Standard, Village Voice, NY Times and more. The Village Voice says the film ‘makes you laugh and breaks your heart in equal measure’ and the LA Times says ‘Mir gets under your skin in ways that are memorable and poignantly real’.
On November 10th, 2011, PlanetPix Media & Entertainment Group organized a special film screening of The Boy Mir – Ten Years in Afghanistan at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) from 1-3 pm. The screening was followed by a 30 minute panel discussion about Afghanistan with the film’s director Phil Grabsky and USIP’s Barmak Pazhwak (Senior Program Officer, Afghanistan & Pakistan). Following the USIP screening & panel discussion, the National Press Club hosted a news conference featuring Mr. Grabsky. At the conference, a historic moment took place when the Embassy of Afghanistan offered the Afghan flag to the National Press Club as a gift, which was coordinated by PlanetPix.
On Saturday, November 12th at 8 pm, the second Washington D.C. screening of The Boy Mir took place at George Washington University’s Jack Morton auditorium. PlanetPix produced the screening and promoted it to the Afghan-American community, as well diplomatic, non-profit, government, corporate, media contacts in D.C. resulting in a sold-out RSVP list the day before the screening. The screening was also followed by a panel discussion led by attorney, social entrepreneur and Afghanistan expert Mariam Atash Nawabi. Panelists included Phil Grabsky and special guest Christina Lamb, a best-selling author and journalist (Sewing Circles of Herat), who accepted the invitation to speak through PlanetPix.
The Boy Mir’s D.C. events were made possible by PlanetPix Media & Entertainment Group, a multicultural media, marketing and entertainment productions company. The screenings were co-sponsored by United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Afghan Student Association at George Washington University (ASA-GWU), author of “Blue Blood Mirage” Nasrat Esmaty, The Westin Georgetown, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP), and Beauty and the East TV.
PlanetPix’s media outreach included inquiries from Voice of America, American Abroad Media, and U.S.A. Today. Media coverage included National Press Club, BBC Pashto, Al Hurra TV, Ariana Afghanistan TV, and the Embassy of Afghanistan.
Award-winning British film-maker Phil Grabsky decided in 2002 to follow Mir for a decade and see what happened to him and his country. Overcoming difficult and sometimes dangerous obstacles, Grabsky has made what many are calling an extraordinary and unique film. Despite the poverty, despite the slow recovery from war, despite the ever-present Taliban threat, Mir shows a determination and resolve that offers a somewhat optimistic face of Afghanistan. Soldiers returning from combat that have seen the film have commented, “We wish we’d seen this before we went to Afghanistan”.
For April 2012 screening & sponsorship requests for “The Boy Mir”, please e-mail (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
VIEW ALL “BOY MIR” EVENT PHOTOS HERE: http://www.facebook.com/pages/PlanetPix-Media-and-Entertainment-Group/165913950088776
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-11-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Music
Harry Winston, the international jeweler and watchmaker, has partnered with legendary music producer Quincy Jones and Emirati social entrepreneur Badr Jafar, for the official global launch of the Tomorrow/Bokra song music video and documentary film, and launched exclusive timepieces for the same. The red carpet World Premiere event for the Bokra Charity song was held at the One & Only, The Palm, in Dubai. The song’s broadcasting, a significant moment when at 11:11 pm on November 11th 2011, the music video was beamed around the world via a global simulcast, with YouTube providing an exclusive premiere of the video on-line.
The song itself, an Arabic version of Tomorrow (A Better You, A Better Me), Jones’ famous anthem of peace, hope and unity, is intended to “serve as a beacon of solidarity and hope for the region”. It was recorded by the Global Gumbo Group, established earlier this year as a joint venture between Quincy Jones and Badr Jafar. Tomorrow/Bokra features a number of leading artists from the Middle East and North Africa region. Inspired by Quincy Jones’ original “We are the World” charity production, which was reprised in 2010 on behalf of the Haiti earthquake, the Tomorrow/Bokra project aims to achieve the same level of awareness and raise funds to help the next generation of children across the Arab world. All proceeds including sales and profits will benefit children of the region through education of music, arts and culture.
At the occasion of the launch, which was attended by royalties, distinguished guests, artists and celebrities Harry Winston’ unveiled 11 unique models from its new Midnight collection, designed to support the Bokra Project. Each timepiece will feature the engraved signature of leading talents. These 11 one-of-a-kind timepieces will be displayed in the Harry Winston Salon at the Emirates Towers in February 2012. T he total amount raised from the sale of these models will be entirely donated to the Bokra Project. Harry Winston President and CEO, Frédéric De Narp stated: “Harry Winston is delighted to be involved in such a noble cause and to share in Quincy Jones’ vision of philanthropy making a difference”. At the event, many celebrities were wearing Harry Winston creations such as the Harry Winston Midnight Big Date worn by Badr Jafar, as well as an exceptional Harry Winston jewelry collection worn by Actress Yosra and Singer Latifa.
Tags: tomorrow bokra, quincy jones, badr jafar, harry winston,
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-07-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Comedy
On November 5th 2011, PlanetPix Media & Entertainment Group produced an interfaith, intercultural comedy show at the American Islamic College in the “Windy City”. ‘FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme’s We Come in Peace Tour” in Chicago included performances by Tehran SoParvaz, MoNa, Samson Koletkar, Ray Hanania, and Mike Batayeh. Audiences were surprised to see comedians with Middle Eastern & South Asian backgrounds who also happen to be Jewish, Christian and Muslim. The show was followed by a panel discussion on interfaith comedy led by co-producer Miranda Hovemeyer.
PlanetPix’s media outreach resulted in coverage by NPR, Rise Up and India in Chicago. Sponsors of the show include American Islamic Congress, Project Nur, Urban Strategies Group, Mike Anderson Chevrolet of Chicago, Beauty and the East TV, and a contribution by Eric Hovemeyer & Christine Bieri. Contributing sponsors include Abrahamic Alliance, United Religions Initiative (URI), Hyde Park & Kenwood Interfaith Council, and the Peace Garden Project.
With increased religious and cultural tension growing in America and around the world, ‘FUNATICAL’ breaks stereotypes and bridges gaps between people of diverse backgrounds and religions by promoting unity through laughter. Comedians poke fun of culture, race, politics, religion and current events, which they lampoon with clean humor and satire. The shows are produced by an interfaith team who uses comedy as an equalizer to counter prejudices in a humorous way.
http://www.funaticalcomedy.com
TO VIEW ALL PICS FROM SHOW: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funatical-Taking-Comedy-to-the-Extreme/127774330627187
Tags: abrahamic alliance,american islamic college, Beauty and the East TV, funatical comedy,interfaith comedy, interfaith event, middle eastern comedy, mike batayeh, miranda hovemeyer,mona,multicultural comedy,peace garden project,planetpix media entertainment group, Project Nur,ray hanania,samson koletkar, Tehran SoParvaz
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-02-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Comedy
Mo Na is an Arab-American Muslim comedian from Chicago who has performed throughout the U.S. and Canada. Mo Na studied improv and comedy writing at Chicago’s Second City and has performed on many stages through the Chicagoland area, including: the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Comedy Under the Tap, Chord on Blues, Jokes & Notes, the Lincoln Lodge, Loco Locas at Watra, 1001Laughs Tour and FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme.
She was a guest on Chicago’s popular radio show RISE UP which airs on NPR and dished about her upcoming performance in the FUNATICAL comedy show on 11/5/2011 at 8 pm at the American Islamic College. Pretty funny interview. Visit the following website and choose show from 10/30/11 in the little red box. Interview starts at 30:00. Enjoy! http://riseupshow.com/riseup_index.php
Tags: mona, funatical comedy, rise up, chicago
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 11-01-2011 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
Enjoy a FREE film screening for “Boy Mir: Ten Years in Afghanistan” on Sat. Nov. 12th at GWU’s Jack Morton Auditorium at 7 pm. Reserve your seats today but hurry seats are filling fast: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Get more info about the screening here: http://www.planetpixproductions.com/news/
Tags: boy mir, phil grabsky, asa, george washington university
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Are you a Muslim/Middle-Eastern/South Asian actor, musician, singer, comedian, designer, film-maker, journalist/host, or have a special story? Show us what you got!
