Monday, January 30
Movie: Mooz-lum
Location: 6 - 9:00 pm at Student Union Theatre

Movie: Mooz-lum

Amid a strict Muslim rearing and a social life he's never had, Tariq (Evan Ross) enters college confused. New peers, family and mentors help him find his place, but the 9-11 attacks force him to face his past and make the biggest decisions of his life.

Director - Qasim Basir

Qasim “Q” Basir has been taking the movie industry by storm for years now, but it wasn’t always about the movies. He was planning on a career in law until he flew through the window of a car during a traffic accident in 2003. He said that while recovering from his injuries, "I decided I needed to do what I loved, and make a difference while doing so." That was making movies. 

After completing his first project, 1Nation 2Worlds, he began doing just that. He took the film to colleges and universities all over the country, challenging students and professors to open discussions on the important issue of race. “I feel like ignorance is one of the most significant issues hindering our society today,” says Qasim. His following film, the award winning short Glimpse, dealt with a different subject but had the same idea - erasing ignorance. But this time, as it deals with Muslims in America. 

Next, Qasim created a short film series aimed at supporting Presidential candidate Barack Obama. The Inspiration of Barack: “Yes We Can” film series, is a compilation of seven short films all dealing with different people who become inspired by Obama to take essential steps forward in their lives. Similar to 1Nation 2Worlds, he took the series to theaters around the country, urging attendees to get involved with the Obama campaign. Because of his work on this series, Qasim received the “Inspirational Filmmaker of the Year” award from the Memphis Black Writers Film Festival. The series can now be found on iTunes.com and in Blockbuster Video. 

After coming off of the Yes We Can film series, Qasim focused his attention to his next feature film MOOZ-lum, which stars Danny Glover, Nia Long, Evan Ross, Roger Guenveur Smith, Summer Bishil & Dorian Missick. The coming-of-age tale of a young Muslim boy going to college in September of 2001 opened theatrically in February of 2011 and has received critical acclaim. 

Additionally, the film is continuously opening in theaters around the world and many government and social organizations, in the US and abroad, have used the film and Qasim’s voice for many different programs. Some of them include the US Embassy, US Consulate General, United Nations, the FBI, US State Department and others. 

Currently, Qasim is working on his next screenplay entitled “Destined.”

Open Discussion follows screening with the Writer / Director Qasim Basir.