Three Veils (2011) User Reviews

A good story and beautiful Sheetal Sheth

[ishuri91-752-74205 · 7/10 · 11 October 2013]

I cant buy this film in DVD so i have to watch it in Russian(no subtitles and ZERO English version available on the internet). Technically i have no idea what they're talking about and i have to guess every details. But i really think this is a good movie, sad and touching ... And beside, i love Sheetal Sheth and her movies, i've known her from I cant think straight and the world unseen. She has something really special from her acting, something makes you remember and want to see more of her.

i hope i can find an English version to understand it completely.

So if you speak Russian or have this film in DVD then this is a MUST WATCH. (I'm from Vietnam and not good at English so sorry for my grammar mistakes)

One of a kind movie!

[l-hrnjic · 8/10 · 18 April 2011]

Three Veils is the movie I've been waiting for. The movie is about 3 young Muslim women, dealing with different social and political issues-women's rights, rape, gay relationship, pre-arranged marriage, family expectations, love, friendship-that are a big part (and a problem, in my opinion) of everyday life in this culture. With a sense of humor, all three of them are fighting their own problems related to social stigma, culture and/or religion in order to have a normal, happy life they long for. This movie will provide some insight into the Muslim culture for those who are not already familiar with it and would like to know more. Being a Muslim myself, I'd always thought that we needed a movie like this to be made. We need talk about everything that our parents and grandparents didn't want to, because they were ashamed or afraid. I'm thankful to everybody who made it possible for this movie to be made: , Amira-Angela Zahra, Nikki-Sheetal Sheth, Leila-Mercedes MasÖhn, Jamal-Garen Boyajian the director-Rolla Selbak, the producer Ahmad Zahra and others. We need more movies like this!

Great Film

[jqapac · 8/10 · 11 April 2011]

I saw Three Veils at the San Francisco International Film Festival 2011. The theater was completely packed. There wasn't a seat open and the people waiting out in the street were turned away. It was a great crowd of film viewers and the film did not let us down. Three Veils examined the lives of three very interesting Muslim women trying to navigate the Cultural challenges in their lives. I found it to be an eye opening experience. There were so many moments of lightness and humor. I found this humor interesting because the issues that were being discussed are very much about the dark side of humanity. My congratulations to the filmmakers for creating a rich experience. This film gave me a better understanding of the lives of women in a culture I don't know.

An intimate look behind the veils that cover women's hearts

[JBChristy · 9/10 · 13 April 2011]

I was very moved by Three Veils. I found it to be carefully crafted and very well executed, skillfully revealing the hearts of three Muslim women living in America who, although related by friendship, are in very different circumstances.

The film begins, as relationships often begin, with optimism and good dose of humor. As the film progresses, we peer behind each woman's "veil" in turn, learning more about her history, her hopes, her wounds, her heart. In the process the light-hearted humor gives way to tenderness, heartbreak and compassion. I enjoyed the deliberate pace of the movie, which was slow without dragging. It felt respectful: the way you would get to know someone over time, building the trust necessary to truly see into her heart.

I think Angela Zahra did a remarkable job portraying Amira; Amira is a tender soul who will remain in my heart for some time. And Sheetal Sheth gave an excellent performance as Nikki. Nikki could've easily turned into a caricature, but Sheth portrayed her with both passion and restraint, ultimately revealing her gentle nature. The supporting cast also gave fine performances, making the film well-rounded and complete.

The characters are Muslim; some of their circumstances may be unfamiliar to non-Muslim audiences. But their hearts are the hearts of every woman; the women themselves are as familiar as the woman in the mirror. I look forward to seeing Three Veils a second, and perhaps a third, time to savor the depth of it.

Outstanding!

[veerheenya · 9/10 · 14 April 2011]

Three Veils a film written and directed by Rolla Selbak is a real delicatessen in the independent film world. The film tells a revealing story of friendship and loyalty of three Muslim women: Nikki (Sheetal Sheth), Amira(Angela Zahra), and Leila (Mercedes MasÖhn). Each woman battles their own fears, insecurities and traumas. The film exquisitely looks closely at the lives of each woman showing their pain and struggles when dealing with social taboos, arranged marriage, and devastating insecurities caused by life-changing events. Love, friendship and trust are all stretched to the limits only to come back stronger than ever. Three Veils delivers a humorous dramatization which has a strong connection with reality itself, making the film powerful yet subtle, entertaining and an all-around eye-opening experience. Now a day it's hard to come around a film so complete; great acting, amazing story, humor, eye-opening reality, culture, music; it is absorbing and informative. I traveled from Colorado to San Francisco to see the film, because I knew that would be the only chance I'd have to see it before it's available to the public. Meeting the cast, the director and the producer, was a life-changing event for me, and every minute of the film was so worth it I will do it all over again.

a must see movie!

[JamieSageCotton · 9/10 · 19 April 2011]

I love movies that surprise you, that make you forget that you are in a theater; movies that pull you into the story and won't let you go, movies that make you care. Three Veils, a new film by writer/director Rolla Selbak, does all that and more.

Three Veils is the story of three young Muslim women whose lives unexpectedly intersecting as they deal with issues of identity, tradition, and spirituality. To the outside world, they seem to be typical young college students dealing with the challenges of growing up and finding ones place in the world. But each girl has a story; a secret that they butt up against and can't seem to get over. The audience is given a privileged peek behind each veil and what we see draw us in. Dealing with a tragic past, an uncertain future and a forbidden desire, these women use humor and tenderness to deal with the heartbreak and find that leaning on each other is their key to surviving.

In the end, as you are wiping away the tears which you hadn't even realized were forming, you realize that Selbak has accomplished that rare cinematic feet of making her audience care. We realize we could be anyone of these women, we each have our own veil we live behind and we all just want to be seen.

Three Veils is a heartfelt and daring movie with just the right amount of humor sprinkled in. Talented script writing combined with powerful acting make this a movie you don't want to miss.

A Must See Film

[pisces0274 · 10/10 · 15 June 2011]

I recently saw Three Veils at a screening in Alaska and was completely blown away by the film. It is a story about a specific period of time in the lives of three Muslim-American young women who are each dealing with their own struggles such as arranged marriage, lesbianism, substance abuse and who's lives are intertwined through friendship.

The director, Ms. Selbak, did a fantastic job in the way she wrote the film as we see the story told three times from the three different points of view of the three main leads. Leyla, who is dealing with an arranged marriage; Amira, who as a devout Muslim is having lesbian tendencies and Nikki, who is dealing with substance abuse while dealing with family issues.

While all of the above are very dark subject matters, Ms. Selbak interjects humor into the mix as well. I laughed with the film, I cried with the film.

The three lead actresses did a phenomenal job. I was especially taken with the performances of Sheetal Sheth as Nikki and Angela Zahra as Amira, both of which grab you from the beginning of the film and don't let go. It's refreshing to see such strong women characters in film. The supporting cast was also fabulous as well.

I would highly recommend this film to everyone but especially to women everywhere. While these are Muslim-American women in the film, the themes are universal to all women. They are struggles that we all face regardless of our ethnic, religious or societal backgrounds.

Thank you, Ms. Selbak for creating such an amazing film that I certainly connected with.

An Honest and Moving Film!

[gj728 · 9/10 · 19 June 2011]

I had the pleasure of watching Three Veils at the NJ Film Festival at Rutgers University and the movie went beyond my expectations. Each girl's story was handled with sensitivity and all three were woven together seamlessly within the story. The director did a fantastic job showing us all three girls's perspectives and how particular scenarios affected them all differently.

The subject matter is so brave and sends a powerful message, without being preachy or pretentious. The issues the girls deal with in this film are very relevant to what's happening in the world today, and it's sad that people don't want to acknowledge or accept that. Hats off to Rolla Selbak and the brilliant cast for bringing these important issues to the limelight.

Please, please, PLEASE see this film if you have the opportunity. It should be seen by all!

Three Veils

[sfmaharshi · 14 April 2011]

I saw the screening of Three Veil in San Francisco this past Sunday 10th April. It was definitely an eye opener! It was a very powerful movie in a way that made me aware that Muslim women have the same wants, needs and desires as women in any culture. Even though it was a serious movie about women in the Muslim culture, there was humor in it that I thought was wonderful because I didn't think Muslim women were allowed to have a sense of humor or allowed to laugh. The three women in the movie were very different in their own way but what stood out for me is their courage and strength to make the changes they needed for themselves and not for culture or society. I was impressed with how the director kept the stories of the three women light not heavy and too dark with good humor! I am ready to watch it again! The directors, producers and cast were wonderful!

The Three Veils Movie

[TanyaVenise · 10/10 · 23 August 2011]

Wow I don't like to use the word fan because I feel that most fans blow with the wind and that their loyalty may be comprised by their real intentions of liking someone or something in the mist of the slightest controversy but here goes. I am a super fan as Rolla her self called me of THE THREE VEILS. Now the main reason I was interested in seeing the Three Veils Movie was my interest in getting to know more of the actress Sheetal Sheth's work for I am her number 1 fan and supporter. I had the incredible pleasure of finally meeting her face to face in our hometown NY at the NYC screening at Tribeca film festival in Manhattan. The Three Veils illustrates many of the trials and tribulations that all people of all races and ethnic cultures can relate to. It made me laugh and feel touched from the difficulty of situations just like life itself projects. Sheetal's performance was captivating as I remained glued to the screen. All the actors and actresses gave a performance that is well worth seeing again and again. My attempts to spread the word will cause no sweat for this is a movie you will not forget. So opening up, get out and go see it when it opens trust me you will not be disappointed or left untouched....TV

Three Veils blew me away

[danielle-m-gonzales · 10/10 · 12 August 2012]

The title of this review states it all. I was truly blown away by this film.

Rolla Selbak has created such an honest, beautiful film that tackles "controversial" issues that should not be controversial, as they are real and happen all the time all over the world. I truly respect her for being brave enough to tackle these issues, when it's a known fact that some groups of individuals were not going to be happy about the subject matter.

Sheetal Sheth continues to amaze me, as she gives another incredible performance in this film. Throughout the film she had me torn between laughter and crying as my heart broke for the struggles she had to deal with.

Angela Zahra and Mercedes Masohn also gave wonderful performances throughout the film, as I truly felt for their characters and what they were going through.

I waited over a year to see this film, and it was incredibly worth the wait. I recommend that everyone should watch this film, as I believe that everyone can take something valuable from it. Fantastic film!

A Must See!!

[KRoland77 · 10/10 · 30 October 2011]

I Loved this film!! I saw it at the ARPA International Film Festival at the Egyptian theater in Hollywood. The theater was packed and people were even sitting in the aisles. This added a great interactive feeling to the experience and I must admit sharing many a sniffle with my fellow audience members. The producer was awarded BEST FEATURE film that night and truly deserved it (I believe it has one several awards to date.) From the delicate story telling and amazing performances to the courageous portrayal of Muslim women as never seen before, it is one of the best indie films I saw this year. I am Looking forward to seeing it again when it comes out on DVD, but if you get a chance to see it in a theater, please do!

Beautiful film in every aspect..

[divalasvegas61 · 10/10 · 31 October 2011]

Fantastic film. Beautifully written, directed, and brilliant acting. One of, if not the best, films I have seen in a very long time. Every thing about this film is so well done I am extremely anxious to see it again and again. Highly recommend to all. Very important film to be seen especially right now during all that is happening around us. Very rich characters..you can't help but feel the angst, happiness, and sadness in and with everyone in it. A definite must see! Given the times we live in, there are many aspects of this film that are very relative to current events of the world we live in. There is quite a lot to be take away with you after viewing it, and I can't wait for the chance to do just that.

Three Veils - a must see movie

[permian · 10/10 · 29 September 2011]

Saw Three Veils movie August 27, 2011 at the Las Cruces International Film Festival in Las Cruces, New Mexico. WOW!!, AWESOME comes to mind also now that I've had some time to digest everything. The movie made me laugh, cry (more than I'll admit) and my heart ached more than once for the characters and their struggles. But as the heart aches and has little cracks, the human spirit surprises you and shores it up again. Slightly battered but better in the long run. All the characters were complex in their own rights, and the tender spirit of Amira, just pulled your heart strings to the breaking point, while you wondered how Nikki would survive her struggles and Leyla work through the arranged marriage network. The human spirit is an amazing thing. This is a movie that needs to be seen.