Movies About Islam

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat, Shahab Hosseini
Rated PG-13

A Separation is a 2011 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi and starring Leila Hatami, Peyman Moaadi, and Sareh Bayat. The film follows two Iranian couples who have reached the point of divorce. Simin (Leila Hatami) and Nader (Peyman Moaadi) have been married for 14 years and have a daughter, Termeh (Sarina Farhadi). Simin wishes to leave Iran and move abroad with her family, but Nader refuses to leave due to his father's poor health. With no resolution in sight, Simin decides to file for divorce, prompting Nader to hire a young woman, Razieh (Sareh Bayat), to take care of his father while he is at work. The two couples' lives become intertwined in unexpected ways, leading to dramatic consequences that no one could have predicted. The film explores themes of faith, morality, and the complex concerns of marriage, parenting, and the conflicting desires of self-fulfillment.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Mustafa Kamel
Rated R

Incendies tells the story of twins, Jeanne and Simon, who are sent on a journey to the Middle East to fulfill their mother's last wish. Upon arrival, they discover a shocking family history that is rooted in the country's civil war. As the twins uncover their mother's past, they are forced to confront an unspeakable tragedy that has affected three generations of their family. Along the way, they must face difficult questions about love, identity, and the power of forgiveness.

From Majid Majidi, starring Hossein Mahjoub, Mohsen Ramezani, Salameh Feyzi, Farahnaz Safari
Rated PG

The Color of Paradise is a 1999 Iranian drama film directed by Majid Majidi. It tells the story of an 8-year-old blind boy, Mohammed, who is sent away from his home in Tehran to spend the summer with his widowed father, Hojat, in a remote village in the Iranian countryside. The boy's presence has a profound effect on his father, teaching him the true meaning of love and faith. Along their journey, the two come to understand each other better and form a bond of love and understanding. As the summer passes, Hojat must make a difficult decision about the future of his son, one that will test the power of his faith in God. As a result, Mohammed's vision of the world, and his father's, is forever changed.

From Majid Majidi, starring Mohammad Amir Naji, Amir Farrokh Hashemian, Bahare Seddiqi, Nafise Jafar-Mohammadi
Rated PG

Children of Heaven is a 1997 Iranian film directed by Majid Majidi. It tells the story of two young siblings, Ali and Zahra, who must confront the challenges of poverty in Tehran. When Ali's sister loses her only pair of shoes, the two must share a pair of shoes and take turns going to school. Through their struggles, they not only learn important lessons about the value of family and cooperation, but also gain insight into the harsh realities of life in Tehran. The film ultimately emphasizes the power of love and perseverance in the face of adversity.

From Bahman Ghobadi, starring Soran Ebrahim, Avaz Latif, Saddam Hossein Feysal, Hiresh Feysal Rahman
Rated PG-13

Turtles Can Fly is a 2004 film directed by Bahman Ghobadi which follows the story of a group of Kurdish children living in a refugee camp on the Iraqi-Turkish border in the weeks leading up to the 2003 American invasion of Iraq. The main protagonist is 13-year-old Kak, a charismatic and entrepreneurial boy who is respected by the other children in the camp. He organizes the camp, setting up a makeshift school and helping to install a satellite dish so the camp can watch news of the impending war. Along with his friends, Kak must navigate the uncertainties and dangers of life in a war zone, including navigating the dangers of landmines, and the harsh rule of a local commander. Kak's primary goal is to find his missing father, a quest which leads him to a heartbreaking and ultimately life-changing decision. Turtles Can Fly is a powerful and thought-provoking film that paints a vivid picture of the struggles endured by the children of war.

From Cyrus Nowrasteh, starring Shohreh Aghdashloo, Jim Caviezel, Mozhan Marnò, Navid Negahban
Rated R

The Stoning of Soraya M. is a 2008 drama film directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, based on the true story of a woman in Iran who was falsely accused of adultery and sentenced to death by stoning. The film stars Shohreh Aghdashloo as Soraya M. and Jim Caviezel as Freidoune Sahebjam, a journalist who visits the village of Kupayeh to investigate the story. The film follows Freidoune as he discovers the truth about Soraya's story. He learns that her husband, Ali, was determined to get rid of her so he could marry a 14-year-old girl. Ali spread lies about Soraya and was able to convince the village Elders to sentence her to death. The film follows Soraya's brave journey as she faces her impending execution, as well as the struggle of her children and family to save her. Freidoune fights to expose the truth about Soraya's death and the injustices that took place in the village. The Stoning of Soraya M. is an important and powerful film about the injustice of stoning and the lengths people must go through to bring justice to those wrongfully accused.

From Directors: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi, starring Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands, Danielle Darrieux
Rated PG-13

Set in Iran during the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Persepolis tells the story of a young girl named Marjane Satrapi. Marjane is an outspoken and rebellious girl who is coming of age during a highly tumultuous period in Iran's history. Her parents are middle-class intellectuals who struggle to maintain a balance between their traditional beliefs and the radical changes taking place around them. Marjane's story is told through a series of flashbacks and vignettes that depict her childhood, teenage years, and young adulthood. As Marjane grows up, she must confront the increasing oppression of the Iranian government and grapple with her own desire for freedom. Along the way, she is forced to come to terms with the losses of loved ones, the harsh realities of war, and the difficulty of finding her place in the world. In the end, Marjane emerges as a determined and passionate woman who refuses to be silenced.

From Ang Lee, starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain, Tabu
Rated PG

Life of Pi is a 2012 fantasy adventure drama film directed by Ang Lee. Based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Yann Martel, the film follows the story of a young man called Pi, who survives a shipwreck and journeys on a lifeboat for 227 days with a Bengal tiger and other animals. His journey is fraught with danger as he endures storms, sharks and starvation, and ultimately comes to a spiritual awakening. Through his journey, Pi learns to find beauty and hope in the seemingly impossible and discovers that the strength of the human spirit is greater than any suffering.

From Directors: Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi, starring Emad Burnat, Soraya Burnat, Mohammed Burnat, Yasin Burnat
Rated Not Rated

5 Broken Cameras is a 2011 documentary film directed by Palestinian filmmaker Emad Burnat and Israeli filmmaker Guy Davidi. The film is a personal account of the conflict in the West Bank village of Bil'in, where Burnat has documented the struggle of his own village against the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier. It follows the story of Burnat's family over the course of five years, from 2005 to 2010, as he films the events in his village from the perspective of a Palestinian villager. The documentary was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2012 and won numerous awards at film festivals worldwide. The film is a powerful look at the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice in the face of oppression and violence. It is also a reminder of the power of the human spirit and the importance of documenting history.

From Majid Majidi, starring Hossein Abedini, Zahra Bahrami, Mohammad Amir Naji, Hossein Mahjoub
Rated PG

Baran is a 2001 Iranian drama film directed by Majid Majidi, who also wrote the screenplay. It follows the story of Lateef, a young Afghan refugee living in Iran, who falls in love with a fellow refugee, a young Hazara woman named Baran. Lateef is paid by an Iranian contractor to work illegally on a construction site, but is unaware of the contractor's wages and the conditions of the job. He befriends Rahmat, an older Afghan man, who helps him out of a difficult situation when he is caught by the police. Lateef, however, is faced with a difficult dilemma when he discovers that the contractor is using Rahmat as a human trafficker to smuggle illegal Afghan workers into Iran. Lateef must make a choice between staying silent and saving himself, or risking everything to save his friend. In the end, Lateef decides to stand up for what is right, despite the risks to himself. The film is a powerful story about the struggles of refugees and their search for a better life.

From Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Spike Lee
Rated PG-13

Malcolm X is a biographical drama film directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington. It chronicles the life of African American activist Malcolm X, from his early days as a street hustler to his ministry as a leader in the Nation of Islam. As Malcolm X evolves, he finds himself increasingly at odds with the Nation's teachings, leading to his eventual assassination. Along the way, the film examines issues of racism, identity, and self-determination. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Denzel Washington.

From Nora Twomey, starring Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Noorin Gulamgaus, Laara Sadiq
Rated PG-13

The Breadwinner is a 2017 animated film about an extraordinary young Afghan girl named Parvana who is living under the Taliban rule. When her father is unjustly arrested, Parvana is forced to disguise herself as a boy in order to work and provide for her family. With strength, courage and ingenuity, Parvana embarks on a quest to find her father and reunite her family. Along the way, she discovers a world of friendship, family, and the power of storytelling. The film is directed by Nora Twomey and written by Anita Doron and Deborah Ellis, based on the novel of the same name by Ellis. It is a powerful and inspiring tale of resilience, courage and hope in the face of oppression.

From Deniz Gamze Ergüven, starring Günes Sensoy, Doga Zeynep Doguslu, Tugba Sunguroglu, Elit Iscan
Rated PG-13

Mustang is a 2015 French-Turkish drama film written and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven. The movie follows the story of five young orphaned sisters living in a remote Turkish village. When their conservative guardians discover that the girls have been caught innocently playing with boys on the beach, they take extreme measures to control the girls in an attempt to preserve their virginity and honor. The sisters, determined to escape from the constraints of their guardians and live freely, rebel against the expectations of their society. As they face restrictions and punishments, they must decide how far they are willing to go to protect their freedom and dreams, ultimately changing their lives and the lives of their community.

From Deepa Mehta, starring Aamir Khan, Nandita Das, Rahul Khanna, Maia Sethna
Rated Not Rated

Earth is a 1998 drama film directed by Deepa Mehta and set in India during the Partition of British India in 1947. The film follows the life of eight-year-old Lenny and her family who are caught in the midst of the violence surrounding the Partition. As the country is being divided and communities are being uprooted, Lenny and her family struggle to maintain their place in society and their humanity in the face of hate and fear. The film also follows other characters as they navigate their way through a country in chaos, trying to find a sense of belonging and security. In the end, Lenny and her family are left with the knowledge that, despite the turmoil and destruction, life will eventually go on.

From Marc Forster, starring Khalid Abdalla, Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada, Atossa Leoni, Shaun Toub
Rated PG-13

The Kite Runner is a 2007 drama film directed by Marc Forster and based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini. The film tells the story of Amir, a young boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, whose closest friend is Hassan. The two spend their days together, exploring the city and flying kites. The story follows Amir's journey from a childhood of privilege in Afghanistan to his eventual refugee status in America. Along the way, he is confronted with the guilt of his childhood betrayal of Hassan and must find a way to redeem himself. The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption as Amir struggles to come to terms with his past and find his way forward.

From Haifaa Al-Mansour, starring Waad Mohammed, Reem Abdullah, Abdullrahman Al Gohani, Ahd
Rated PG

Wadjda is a Saudi Arabian film that tells the story of a young girl who has grown up in a conservative Riyadh neighborhood. Wadjda lives with her mother and is determined to do something extraordinary with her life. She sets her sights on a green bicycle that she desperately wants to buy, but the only way she can get the money is by winning a Koran recitation competition at her school. As Wadjda strives to win the competition and get the bicycle, she must deal with the societal pressures that come with being a young girl in her society. Ultimately, Wadjda is a coming of age story that shows the strength, resilience, and determination of a young girl in a society that tries to limit her potential.

From Richard Rich, starring Nicholas Kadi, Richard Epcar, Eli Allem, David Llewellyn
Rated TV-G

Muhammad: The Last Prophet is an animated feature film from 2002, directed by Richard Rich. The movie follows the life of the prophet Muhammad, from his early life as an orphan to his rise as the messenger of Allah and his ultimate role as the leader of the Islamic faith. Along the way, Muhammad faces many challenges and obstacles, including the hostility of his own tribe, the persecutions he endured in Mecca, and the struggles of establishing a new faith in the midst of a powerful and hostile culture. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, Muhammad is able to overcome these challenges and become one of the most influential religious figures in history. The movie is an inspiring story of one man’s courage in the face of adversity, and one that serves as a reminder of the power of faith and determination.

From Hany Abu-Assad, starring Kais Nashif, Ali Suliman, Lubna Azabal, Hamza Abu-Aiaash
Rated PG-13

From Abbas Kiarostami, starring Mania Akbari, Amina Maher, Kamran Adl, Roya Akbari
Rated Not Rated

From François Dupeyron, starring Omar Sharif, Pierre Boulanger, Gilbert Melki, Isabelle Renauld
Rated R

From Lorraine Lévy, starring Emmanuelle Devos, Pascal Elbé, Jules Sitruk, Mehdi Dehbi
Rated PG-13

From Siddiq Barmak, starring Marina Golbahari, Zubaida Sahar, Khwaja Nader, Mohammad Arif Herati
Rated PG-13

From Majid Majidi, starring Parviz Parastui, Roya Taymourian, Soghra Obeisi, Mohammad Amir Naji
Rated PG

From Ridley Scott, starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, Martin Hancock
Rated R

From Rachid Bouchareb, starring Brenda Blethyn, Sotigui Kouyaté, Sami Bouajila, Roschdy Zem
Rated Not Rated