Dubai: An independent film on the controversial niqab ban in France is currently in the making, with hopes to premiere at a future Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).
In order to finish the documentary its French- Algerian film director Yacine Helali, 33, is looking for support from the Arab world.
The ‘much needed' documentary called Just the Face on the full-face veil ban, which was enforced in April this year, is being financed by the public who can donate to support creative projects and the cause. France was the first country in Europe to ban the niqab in public.
Helali and his collaborators Andy Jones and Steve Lee have entered the film in the Dubai Film Connection market at the DIFF and are waiting to hear if the film has been accepted.
Anyone wearing the niqab or burqa in public in France faces either a fine of €150 (Dh800), or lessons in French citizenship. France has five million Muslims, but fewer than 2,000 women are believed to actually wear a face veil.
Many Muslim leaders have said they support neither the veil nor the law banning it, it was reported at the time.
Just the Face, a 60-minute documentary, is still in production but due for release in mid-2012 to coincide with the French Presidential elections. "We are actively seeking funding to help us make the film and reach international audiences," said Helali via email.
"We know that the topic is very controversial even within the Muslim world, and this is what drove us to pick up the camera. Our aim is to produce an authored, incisive and cinematic-looking documentary providing the audience with an insight into this very complex issue of the French ban, and a social reflection on Islam and its minorities in Western Europe and around the world," said Helali.
The documentary tracks the lives of Kenza Drider, also known as ‘Star of the Niqab', a high profile activist and media critic of the ban; Nelly Moussaid, a karate world champion; Karima, a talented fashion designer; Laurence, an ex-hippie and Fatima, a housewife and mother.
Funding has so far been received through a movement called ‘crowdfunding' where members of the public are asked to make donations in support of the film and its cause. In return donors get a sense of participation and perks ranging from a website ‘thank you' to an executive producer credit.
Other contributors include Professor Joan Wallach Scott, author of The Politics of the Veil and French-Algerian journalist Naima Bouteldja who headed the Open Foundation's report Unveiling the Truth.
Fund the film
The production team of Just the Face, a documentary on France's niqab ban, is running an international fundraising campaign to cover the shooting costs through a movement called ‘crowdfunding' - a term given to members of the public who support a project and pool their money together via donations to see it come to fruition.
To donate to the making of the film visit http://www.indiegogo.com/Just-the-Face
