Boyhood

It has to be the most epic film I've ever seen - in it's simplicity. Masyaa Allaah. So amazing, that this film is made over a span of 12 years, and that you actually observe the boy grow - and how life is mundane, and how it could be so empty, without a real purpose in life. They just try to survive day by day, moment by moment.

So much patience and discipline to be able to carry this out. It's what is amazing about this man, Richard Linklater, writer, director.

There was no 'climax' in this story - what is demanded of me all the time when I submit stories. I get turned off. Cause life does not necessary have climaxes.

If Allaah has written for me to make a film - I hope it's as moving and simple as this. Insyaa Allaah.

My husband, didn't like the movie. He got bored 15 mins into the film. He and I are different. I do realise, the stories I have that I wish to make into films, will not be of everyone's taste. If asked to describe the target audience - I'd say, those who enjoyed 'Before Sunrise' 'Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Boyhood' Those group of people.

Role of newspapers

When it comes to inciting sad or angry emotions, hate or phobia, some of them are so smart on giving dramatic titles to the articles shaping weak reader's opinions. But when it comes to this - about an accident, why don't they think of how to get to the root cause.. speeding cars.

If** it has been established to be true, the title of this article should read, "Speeding car driver killed family of 3." EVERY single time this happens the title should be something to that effect, so that it drives the idea into reader's minds that speeding kills!

Accidents shouldn't be reported as a drama or sad story of grieving families.. unless there is an intention to help them. They are already grieving -  these articles do not help them.  Instead, accidents should be reported as a mean to educate readers on how accidents can be avoided.

Statistics of accidents should be reported frequently if not daily.  The story behind the cause of each reported accident should be made as headlines and motorists advised what to avoid.

But alas, newspapers only want to sell, and as such they sometimes write stories that are none of my business.

** When I first wrote this, I was driven by my emotions.  I wrote without the 'If' - I assumed that the driver who rammed the car was surely in the wrong.  Then I'm suddenly reminded of this story in the Qur'an about David A.S. - that should serve to remind us against making judgements based on just one side of the story.  If we are required to make a judgement, we MUST hear both sides before making them.  Making judgement just based on one side's story is wrong. 

And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber;

How they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them! They said: Be not afraid! (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefor judge aright between us; be not unjust; and show us the fair way.

Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech.

(David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented.

So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end.

(And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.



38:21 - 26, Al Qur'an, Surah Soad (the arabic alphabet), translation by Pickthall.