A Muslim filmmaker has discussed the danger involved in making a film about being gay and Muslim.
Parvez Sharma – whose film ‘A Sinner in Mecca’ premièred this week in Toronto – spoke about the extreme threats he received. Before the film had even been seen, Sharma had received a flurry of hate mail and death threats from angry Muslims worldwide. The film features as part of the ‘Hot Docs’ film festival, and the event organizers were forced to add extra security to the premiere to ensure Sharma’s safety, as well as that of the viewers attending the three sold-out showings.
To make the film, Sharma had to secretly record his journey to Mecca on his iPhone and other small devices, as filming is illegal in Saudi Arabia and homosexuality is punishable by death.
“I was terrified because they reserve the death penalty for people like me,” Sharma told CBC News. Continue reading
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