Trois voiles

I saw the screening of Three Veil in San Francisco this past Sunday 10th April. It was definitely an eye opener! It was a very powerful movie in a way that made me aware that Muslim women have the same wants, needs and desires as women in any culture. Even though it was a serious movie about women in the Muslim culture, there was humor in it that I thought was wonderful because I didn't think Muslim women were allowed to have a sense of humor or allowed to laugh. The three women in the movie were very different in their own way but what stood out for me is their courage and strength to make the changes they needed for themselves and not for culture or society. I was impressed with how the director kept the stories of the three women light not heavy and too dark with good humor! I am ready to watch it again! The directors, producers and cast were wonderful!

Three Veils a film written and directed by Rolla Selbak is a real delicatessen in the independent film world. The film tells a revealing story of friendship and loyalty of three Muslim women: Nikki (Sheetal Sheth), Amira(Angela Zahra), and Leila (Mercedes MasÖhn). Each woman battles their own fears, insecurities and traumas. The film exquisitely looks closely at the lives of each woman showing their pain and struggles when dealing with social taboos, arranged marriage, and devastating insecurities caused by life-changing events. Love, friendship and trust are all stretched to the limits only to come back stronger than ever. Three Veils delivers a humorous dramatization which has a strong connection with reality itself, making the film powerful yet subtle, entertaining and an all-around eye-opening experience. Now a day it's hard to come around a film so complete; great acting, amazing story, humor, eye-opening reality, culture, music; it is absorbing and informative. I traveled from Colorado to San Francisco to see the film, because I knew that would be the only chance I'd have to see it before it's available to the public. Meeting the cast, the director and the producer, was a life-changing event for me, and every minute of the film was so worth it I will do it all over again.

I cant buy this film in DVD so i have to watch it in Russian(no subtitles and ZERO English version available on the internet). Technically i have no idea what they're talking about and i have to guess every details. But i really think this is a good movie, sad and touching ... And beside, i love Sheetal Sheth and her movies, i've known her from I cant think straight and the world unseen. She has something really special from her acting, something makes you remember and want to see more of her.

i hope i can find an English version to understand it completely.

So if you speak Russian or have this film in DVD then this is a MUST WATCH. (I'm from Vietnam and not good at English so sorry for my grammar mistakes)

I was very moved by Three Veils. I found it to be carefully crafted and very well executed, skillfully revealing the hearts of three Muslim women living in America who, although related by friendship, are in very different circumstances.

The film begins, as relationships often begin, with optimism and good dose of humor. As the film progresses, we peer behind each woman's "veil" in turn, learning more about her history, her hopes, her wounds, her heart. In the process the light-hearted humor gives way to tenderness, heartbreak and compassion. I enjoyed the deliberate pace of the movie, which was slow without dragging. It felt respectful: the way you would get to know someone over time, building the trust necessary to truly see into her heart.

I think Angela Zahra did a remarkable job portraying Amira; Amira is a tender soul who will remain in my heart for some time. And Sheetal Sheth gave an excellent performance as Nikki. Nikki could've easily turned into a caricature, but Sheth portrayed her with both passion and restraint, ultimately revealing her gentle nature. The supporting cast also gave fine performances, making the film well-rounded and complete.

The characters are Muslim; some of their circumstances may be unfamiliar to non-Muslim audiences. But their hearts are the hearts of every woman; the women themselves are as familiar as the woman in the mirror. I look forward to seeing Three Veils a second, and perhaps a third, time to savor the depth of it.

I had the pleasure of watching Three Veils at the NJ Film Festival at Rutgers University and the movie went beyond my expectations. Each girl's story was handled with sensitivity and all three were woven together seamlessly within the story. The director did a fantastic job showing us all three girls's perspectives and how particular scenarios affected them all differently.

The subject matter is so brave and sends a powerful message, without being preachy or pretentious. The issues the girls deal with in this film are very relevant to what's happening in the world today, and it's sad that people don't want to acknowledge or accept that. Hats off to Rolla Selbak and the brilliant cast for bringing these important issues to the limelight.

Please, please, PLEASE see this film if you have the opportunity. It should be seen by all!