Talkback
Have you faced a generation gap conflict with a parent or other relative? Share your response and reactions to A SON'S SACRIFICE.
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I'm really looking forward to seeing the film in its entirety. I was only able to catch a glimpse of it in an interfaith workshop discussion and was very impressed by the dynamics in the film. As a Cuban who converted to Islam, not only was the topic of the Qurbani and father and son bonds interesting, but the fact of his mother being a Latina. I hope it is shown again soon so that I can watch it fully and to see other films that explore such interesting/different family dynamics.
Congratulations to PBS and the producers of this fine film. Eid al-adha is such a happy day, and I hope that this film can help convey to non-Muslims in the United States some of the joy their Muslim neighbors feel.
Yomarey makes a good point as well. Many Muslims in the United States are of ethnically "mixed" heritage, and Muslims should not question the religiosity of those of "mixed" heritage nor should Muslims of "mixed" heritage avoid exploring all their roots. I write "mixed" in quotation marks because aren't we all "mixed"?
I'm hoping that some people who saw this film took away more from it than just how a younger generation comes back to their roots and continues family traditions.
I was hoping that the son might have questioned his culture's traditions - especially a tradition of accepted violence against animals. There are strong parallels between what we do to non-human animals and other cultures' socially sanctioned domination and violence against women and children.
Animals are defenseless and innocent and have the ability to feel pain and suffer just as we do. They have strong family bonds, they want to live and enjoy the life which has been given them. Unless these people were starving and had no other food to choose, I don't see how taking the life of animal can be glorified in this way. There's nothing ethical about killing a being that wants to continue living. The children in the film seemed to be the only ones in touch with their humanity and felt sadness upon hearing that the lambs were going to be killed and turned into "lamb chops".
Until we begin to question the violence we commit against non-humans, there will always be violence in our world for humans. The line we draw between ourselves and them is for our convenience and makes no sense. If you find it appalling that other culture's eat cats and dogs, then ask yourself why.
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The INDEPENDENT LENS show I watched Sunday night at 11:30 PM January 27, 2008 was titled "A Son's Scarifice." It is about a Moslem's son who was born in America and was trained as an advertiser. The son leaves advertising and joins his father's business- slaughtering animals for Moslems. The son must learn his father's business from scratch. This show is a great defense of a Moslem's family and shows even in America the Moslem family is strong.
Thanks PBS for A Son's Sacrifice, and reflecting the life of muslims on an everyday level. Being Bengali Muslim myself, I really enjoyed watching this piece about our faith and culture in a true sense. Thanks PBS!!!
I found this to be a fascinating multi layered story. Son/Father, America/Old Country, Identity issues/Fear of failure. I was about to leave when it can on and found myself riveted to the end!
very involved story, as a catholic,I find myself wanting to explore the Koran and Muslim beliefs.I believe that the gap is not only generational in nature,but also in our religious attitudes.we are not in biblical times yet there are so many similarities between then and now that we cannot afford to be blind,deaf,or dumb.I will be watching this film again!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderfully done. Showed the relationship and conflicts between father/son, immigrant/first generation well. You come to appreciate struggles that all the characters are facing. Look forward to seeing more work from these young directors.
I believe the father was most interesting, insightful, unassuming and introspective character. He gave real depth to this film where the son's soul searching seemed at times superficial or business inspired. I found this documentary to be inspiring, real, raw, and it braised only the tip of what it means to be Muslim. I often wrestled in my mind when viewing son's behavior of collecting Star War memoriabila, and how he seemed a bit spoiled acting, not at all mature and respectful towards his "customers" or even his father (his father shared a very intense and unassuming moment in his life with the viewers which endeared my heart to his struggle and plight in this life), his frustration is his biggest obstacle. The mom was funny and a delight only later did i ask myself was she muslim and why didn't she appear to be, maybe her husband and son do not mind that she appeared without head cover. She is a beautiful woman still. You can admire her spunk and zest for life and her positive attitude. I walked away feeling as if I knew this family personally and although I may seem too critical here in my words it is simple that you illuminated some contradictions I have with my own faith in Islam and how I live my daily life and people may think of me despite my inner endless faith in ALLAH. thank you for an AMAZING film I really would love to see more of your films and maybe next time I am in NYC I will drop by the Halal place. I will certainly discuss this with my contacts in other countries who are also muslim.
PS there is nothing wrong with Village mentality especially when it is the hand that feeds you!
I really enjoyed this film. Aside from the fact that it was short, I felt like it was really well made and the work of fantastic professional filmmakers. I work at a library and would love to see this work available to our patrons. It is evident that you had a lot of material to work with, and you put it together so well, so the viewer really sees Imran and his father's relationship progression and the transition that began in the business. Well done!!! I hope to see more of your work in the future!
Felt real, authentic, and is indeed a significant topic. Thanks, well done !
WAS WONDERING IF U EVER WENT TO YOUR MOTHER HOME LAND PUERTO RICO ?? DO U KNOW YOUR PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE? YOUR RELIGION IS MUSLIM ! BUT WHAT ABOUT YOUR HERITAGE? OVERALL I REALLY ENJOY SEEN THIS FILM!!!
