DEARBORN – After opening in select theatres across the country, the movie documentary “Fordson: Faith Fasting, Football” by director Rashid Ghazi has seen mostly positive reviews and especially been a hit in the metro Detroit area.
The award-winning movie follows the 2009 Fordson High School football team,which was almost entirely Arab American and Muslim, prior to their rivalry game against Dearborn High School; while chronicling their family lives and challenges during Ramadan and their thoughts on post-9/11 challenges.
Nationally, Academy Award-winning director Michael Moore called the movie “Powerful…intelligent…moving” while saying “I want everyone in the country to watch this film!”
Here’s what moviegoers at Dearborn’s AMC Star Fairlane felt about the movie, which runs until Thursday, Sept. 22:
“Overall it was good, it definitely gave the right message about the community. I really liked the character ‘Big Joe (Yusuf Berry).’ One thing I did not like is how it focused on dividing between east and west Dearborn in the movie. I also thought there should have been stronger female roles in the movie, the female side was not there.”
-Abraham Berro
“I thought it showed a good picture of the community and of east Dearborn; the family love they share as a community and the role that faith plays in their daily lives. It was also fun to see how the love of football helped bring families together in Dearborn.”
-Chris Sullivan
“The movie brought to light how the (Arab American and Muslim community) is just like everyone else…my co-workers told me to see this movie and I’m glad I did because I really liked it and the way everything was presented. I wish this movie could be seen all over the country and not just in select theatres.”
-Mary Jane Kittle
I really liked it, I thought the players came off real well as characters in the film especially Ali Beidoun (the quarterback). I do think they could have shown more about what the kids go through practicing during Ramadan, they showed them having a hard time without water but that was about it. All in all it was great; I liked it.
-Deebe Ferris
For more information on the movie or to see showtimes, visit www.fordsonthemovie.com.
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