Mariyam (DVD)

Mariyam

A gripping movie, Mariyam follows a young Iranian-American teenage girl (Mariam Parris) living in New Jersey in 1979, whose devout Muslim cousing Ali (David Ackert) comes to the U.S. to study. As Mariyam grapples with the typical high school pressures like dating and catty rivals, tensions between Ali and Mariyam's father (Shaun Toub) spring from a dark family secret. When hostages are taken at the American embassy in Iran, prejudice flares up, throwing Mariyam's life into turmoil. The story of Mariyam manages to take the crises of adolescence and socio-political conflict and make both equally vivid. Writer-director Ramin Serry skillfully grounds the culture clash between Muslim fundamentalism and conventional American morality in everyday concerns, capturing an historical moment with details that resonate powerfully. The entire cast is superb; Parris's compelling presence keeps the movie's issues immediate and personal. Mairyam is a remarkable, emotionally engaging film.