Voices Unveiled: Turkish Women Who Dare is an intimate, feature-length documentary that explores the clash of Islam and the West through the lives of three modern Turkish women - a dancer, an artist, and an activist – who struggle to find their own voices in a traditional world.
Situated between Europe and Asia and bordering Iraq, Turkey is the only functioning democracy in the region. But even Turkey has a long way to go before its women are completely emancipated. Can Islamic values co-exist with gender equality among others? And would mainstream Turkish society welcome this change? Voices Unveiled examines these timely issues through the challenges the three women face.
Belkis, Nur and Banu contradict the familiar stereotypes of "Muslim Middle Eastern Women." Courageous, sharp-witted, and often provocative, they are not afraid to weigh in with opinions on religion, politics, men, and gender roles. All three women continually push the envelope to live authentic lives in a culture where many women are restricted by the demands of tradition.
Nur received her MBA from University of Illinois and now works as a feminist activist. Belkis, a textile artist, was a museum curator for years and Banu is studying for her Master's degree in Psychology. Belkis and Nur have built illustrious careers and overcame the conflict between their Western education, their family traditions and societal demands. In private, Belkis and Nur air their frustrations with the patriarchal traditions and encourage the younger generations of which Banu is a member, to be less burdened by dictates of tradition.
Even though the characters are Turkish and Muslim, their struggle for personal empowerment is a theme to which everyone can relate. Voices Unveiled journeys with these women as they continually push the envelope to create change in their own lives and their communities.
Situated between Europe and Asia and bordering Iraq, Turkey is the only functioning democracy in the region. But even Turkey has a long way to go before its women are completely emancipated. Can Islamic values co-exist with gender equality among others? And would mainstream Turkish society welcome this change? Voices Unveiled examines these timely issues through the challenges the three women face.
Belkis, Nur and Banu contradict the familiar stereotypes of "Muslim Middle Eastern Women." Courageous, sharp-witted, and often provocative, they are not afraid to weigh in with opinions on religion, politics, men, and gender roles. All three women continually push the envelope to live authentic lives in a culture where many women are restricted by the demands of tradition.
Nur received her MBA from University of Illinois and now works as a feminist activist. Belkis, a textile artist, was a museum curator for years and Banu is studying for her Master's degree in Psychology. Belkis and Nur have built illustrious careers and overcame the conflict between their Western education, their family traditions and societal demands. In private, Belkis and Nur air their frustrations with the patriarchal traditions and encourage the younger generations of which Banu is a member, to be less burdened by dictates of tradition.
Even though the characters are Turkish and Muslim, their struggle for personal empowerment is a theme to which everyone can relate. Voices Unveiled journeys with these women as they continually push the envelope to create change in their own lives and their communities.
AUDIENCE AWARD
South East European Film Festival (2010) |
SPECIAL MENTION AWARD
Roma Independent Film Festival (2010) |
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Millenium Int'l Documentary Film Festival (2011) |
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Family of Woman Film Festival, Sun Valley, (2011) |
SEMI-FINALIST
Social Change Film Festival, Bali, Indonesia, (2011) |
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Southern Winds Film Festival (2010) |
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Cineview Film Festival (2011) |
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Vox Feminae Film Festival (2010) |
OFFICIAL SELECTION
London Int'l Documentary Film Festival (2010) |
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival (2010) |
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Landlocked Film Festival, Iowa (2010) |
SCREENINGS
- Soroptomist 2011 / 19th International Convention, Montreal, (July 2011)
- Soroptomist 2011 / Southern California, (May 14, 2011)
- Salon Forum, Los Angeles, (September, 2010)
- American Turkish Society of New York, NY (October 2010)
- Koç University, İstanbul (October, 2010)
- Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts (November, 2010)
- Izmir Retrospective, Art Theatre of Long Beach, CA (March 20, 2010)
- Voices Unveiled screened at a benefit for the Izmir-Long Beach Sister Cities Association (izmirlb.org) and The Turkish Women’s Initiative (thetwi.org).
- Robert College High School, Istanbul, Turkey (February 15, 2010)
- Santa Clara University, San Jose, CA (October 20, 2009)
