Hidden Heart is a documentary film that chronicles the lives of Muslim women in inter-cultural/faith relationships. It is being made by Zygo Films Filmmaker Zara Afzal and experienced Executive Producer Christopher Hird of Dartmouth Films.
Filmmaker Zara Afzal
What Inspired the Film?
My journey in making this film began in December 2010. The inspiration came off the back of my own experience being in an intercultural relationship, although I was fortunate to have the support and love of my family. This isn’t the case for some women. There is generally a great sense of taboo and stigma associated with Muslim women marrying outside of their heritage community. I had come across women who were hiding their relationship and living a double life for fear of not wanting to upset loved ones. As a consequence, there was immense emotional pressure on the couples involved. I wanted to shed light on the courage, joys, and suffering of women crossing these faith and cultural divides.
Why the name Hidden Heart?
The film is called Hidden Heart because for many people this is still a love that dare not speak its name. This film aims to be a part of a movement which challenges taboos and stereotypes impacting such a love. With humour and insight, the film tells a moving story of prejudice, courage, and triumph over that prejudice.
Why is this film important?
This is a subject that is very relevant to the challenges that first and second generation Muslim women face in today's multicultural society. Hidden Heart could be useful to many groups working to improve community relationships and for the rights of women. By showing the very real and tender struggles between individual desires and familial attitudes, Hidden Heart aims to increase cultural understanding in Britain. But the film will also appeal to audiences in the USA and in many European countries that have large Muslim communities. It will show a striking vision of a new Muslim Identity, defying the stereotype that Islam is in opposition to the West.
About the Hidden Heart Crowd-Funding Campaign
This is the first film that I have directed. I believe that our best chance of making the film with the sensitivity it deserves, is to make it independently – i.e. outside television – and then distribute it through festivals and independent cinemas to build a following for the film.
So far, we have some amazing material, which needs to be turned into a polished rough cut that we can show to potential broadcasters and distributors. I am at the stage where I need an experienced editor who can help tell these remarkable stories in the best way possible - a part of filmmaking as important as it is undervalued.
The challenge for us is to pay our way through post-production and fund the final bits of the film. That's why we are aiming to raise at least £15,000, and this is where we need your help. If the film is of interest to you, please give as much as you like, it all makes a difference. In return, we hope you take advantage of the perks we are offering!
Please support this hugely important film by helping us reach our crowdfunding target!
Follow the film's progress!
Sign up for our mailing list at:
http://hiddenheartfilm.com/
Twitter:
@hiddenheartfilm
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/HiddenHeartFilm
3. Ask us for blog material, press material, anything to spread the word about this powerful film!
Dear friends of Hidden Heart,
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our campaign -- we appreciate your support tremendously.
Up until now, we’ve chalked up some major successes:
- Channel 4 news anchor, Jon Snow, gave our campaign a very public shot in the arm when he took to Twitter to spread the word about, what he calls, our “remarkable film”.
- Film’s Director Zara Afzal and Executive Producer Christo Hird have just returned from a fantastic "Works In Progress" screening at the UK's biggest documentary festival, the Sheffield Doc Fest. This was a brilliant opportunity to give the public, critics, and other filmmakers alike a sneak peek at the film so far.
- Hidden Heart has caught the attention of local and national press, with Zara appearing on BBC radio to talk about the film and campaign. Hidden Heart has also featured in Golden Room - an online journal for cross-cultural relations - as well as Lapido Media and Al Arabiya News.
- And just as big... we've relied on YOU and all your readers, partners, friends, colleagues to spread the word, on Twitter, Facebook, in the lunchroom, through email...
With only 2 weeks left, at only 15% funded, we need even more people to get behind the film and help us raise the means to complete the final edit! Please continue to share and talk about the campaign when you can. It makes such a difference!
Together, we can give strength to the voices of so many women.
Very best regards,
Zara and the Hidden Heart Team
www.sponsume.com/project/hidden-heart
Sheffield Doc fest is kicking off in a couple days, myself and producer Christo Hird will be showing our work in progress film on 10th June at 10am. I am super excited and will keep you updated on twitter and facebook of the shenanigans at doc fest ! http://sheffdocfest.com/films/5684
Love, Zara x
www.hiddenheartfilm.com
www.facebook/hiddenheartfilm
Twitter: @hiddenheartfilm
Thank you so incredibly much to everyone who has donated to this film so far. We are truely grateful for the overwhelming support. We have hit our first milestone of £1,000 which is amazing!
Please help us spread the word about our crowdfunding by talking to your friends about the film, and sharing the crowdfunding link on your social media pages.
Thank you again,
Hidden Heart team x
