World News
‘Americanish’ makes New York premiere this weekend
AMERICANISH, directed/co-written by Emmy® Award Winner Iman Zawahry, will make its NEW YORK premiere at two festivals this weekend in New York City – the New York Asian Film Festival and the Asian American International Film Festival 44. These premieres will kick-off the AMERICANISH NYC TAKEOVER both in virtual cinema and on the big screen in person this coming weekend August 14 and 15, 2021.
AMERICANISH is the first Muslim romantic comedy directed by an Emmy winning American Muslim woman! This unique coming of age film, co-written by Zawahry and comedian/actress Aizzah Fatima, stars Fatima (High Maintenance, The Good Wife), Salena Qureshi (The Society, All These Small Moments), Kapil Talwalkar (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist), Lillete Dubey(Monsoon Wedding, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), George Wendt (Norm from Cheers), David Rasche (Men in Black 3, Succession), Shenaz Treasury (The Big Sick, One Life to Live), Godfrey (Zoolander), and Mohammed “Mo” Amer (Ramy, The Vagabond).
This unique coming of age comedy offers a refreshing sense of authenticity, as its female leads convey a range and depth of character derived from the co-creators’ own experiences as American women.
Zawahry states, “Comedy is often overlooked as a tool to help educate the public and transform our opinion, especially when it comes to politics and religion. Our film does all that and more. It’s particularly meaningful to our cast and crew, as many of us are women, women of color, and/or Muslim women. Not many understand what it means to be Muslim in America, and we are often portrayed as a monolith in the media. Our film combats and corrects stereotypes in a way that’s relatable and welcoming.”
AMERICANISH is the first Muslim Rom-Com directed by an American Muslim woman and centers on three Muslim women in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York addressing ambition, love and identity while balancing cultural and societal expectations. This loving comedy follows the joys and tribulations of career-driven sisters Sam and Maryam Khan and their cousin Ameera, who moves to New York City with one purpose: to find a Pakistani American Doctor to marry. While highlighting a relatable and endearing storyline and offering a fresh perspective on classic rom-com tropes, the film delves head-on into the complexity of trying to both honor and break from cultural traditions while balancing personal values and career goals in a society that does not always accommodate both.
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