In the Name of the Family

Shelley Saywell's compelling documentary focuses on the so-called “honor killing” tradition, which often threatens young girls whose families emigrate from Islamic nations to the U.S. and Canada. The film details the murders of sisters Amina and Sarah Said in Lewisville, TX, and Aqsa Parvez in Toronto by their respective fathers (Parvez's brother was also convicted in her death). All three were killed for simply being typical North American teenagers—congregating with school friends of different backgrounds, asserting their independence, and dressing in contemporary Western fashions (another victim who escaped death, Fauzia Muhammad, is also profiled). Several young Muslim women who became estranged from their families and created independent lives tell their stories with uncommon courage and poise, while friends of the honor killing victims add their poignant observations. The production notes that post-9/11 suspicion of Muslim communities in North America has helped to sensationalize these kinds of crimes (an interview with young people at a Toronto mosque makes the point that the aforementioned attacks were the result of abusive and mentally unbalanced parents and not Koranic scripture), but Saywell convincingly argues that tribal notions of honor and shame also play a role. While problems with assimilation are hardly unusual in immigrant communities, the extent of alienation from mainstream American culture represented here is truly disturbing. As an eye-opening examination of an important human rights issue, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)