Major studios are rarely making rom-coms these days, leaving this venerable genre to indie films and streaming services. I would love to see a spin-off film that focuses solely on Sam as he navigates his cultural background and makes personal choices. Sam and Mo’s argument over how religion should shape one’s life is an important debate, one that enlivens this rom-com in powerful ways. He refuses to absolve Islam of its prejudices: he condemns Arab countries that mistreat the LGBTQ+ community as well as his own family’s homophobic views. While he was raised Muslim, he does not practice. The most interesting character in the film is Sam. He’s almost perfect - but this is a common trope in rom-coms, not just here. Also too good to be true: Kal rarely questions Mo’s beliefs or presents him with any major relationship problems.
That would have made the film far more dramatically compelling. Even though Kal is white, the two men aren’t from different, clashing cultures. Frankly, it is a little too convenient that Kal already speaks Arabic and is familiar with Arab culture. Mo explains that his faith makes him optimistic. The strongest scene in Breaking Fast is Kal’s showdown with Mo about the latter’s determination to always be positive. Kal, on the other hand, has to deal with a varied collection of family members, some of whom resent Mo’s positive outlook on life. He points out that nowhere in the Quran is it deemed that one should be punished for being gay. His relationship with Islam is unusual because it is so normal. Let get some picturesque hand-holding featuring LBTQIA+ folks. Let’s face it, there are already far too many rom-com montages of straight people wandering around New York City discussing their feelings. It’s rare to see gay relationships in film that aren’t melodramatic, often haunted by some sort of inner trauma, so the depiction of a sweet, happy relationship between two men is satisfying. At times, their relationship becomes somewhat bland, though there is an enjoyably cheesy montage of the two going to the grocery store and cooking together. Because impure thoughts are a no-no during Ramadan, Mo and Kal get to know each other without sex. Kal joins Mo for Iftar (the meal at the end of every night that breaks the fast) and surprises him by preparing Lebanese dishes. Mo and Kal’s burgeoning relationship is endearing. Sam insists that Mo come to his birthday party where he meets Kal (Michael Cassidy), an American who is not only very respectful of Islam but speaks Arabic (he lived in Jordan for part of his childhood). Mo is struggling to get over his ex with the help of his friend Sam (Amin El Gamal), who is also Arab and gay. A year goes by, and it’s the holy month of Ramadan. Hassan decides that he cannot bear his family’s rejection (they are not accepting) and he ends up marrying a woman. Mo’s family accepts that he is gay, especially his mother Mo yearns for his boyfriend, Hassan, to come out to his. Lebanese doctor Mo (short for Mohammed Haaz Sleiman) is a devout Muslim living in West Hollywood. Breaking Fast is an expanded version of director Mike Mossalam’s 2015 short, which was an examination of how religion and sexuality intertwine. Refreshingly, the indie romantic comedy Breaking Fast features two underrepresented groups - MENA (Middle Eastern North Africans) and the LGBTQ+ community - in an earnestly heartfelt story. Despite continual calls for more diversity and lots of empty promises from the showbiz powers-that-be about representation, there remains a severe lack of stories centered around people of color.
Gay movies streaming june 2015 tv#
It’s no secret that film and TV still remains a largely white business. Haaz Sleiman and Michael Cassidy in a scene from Breaking Fast. Films like Breaking Fast introduce audiences to cultures that they may not be familiar with - that they may even be hostile to - but through conflicts and dreams that are universal, that revolve around family, love, and friendship.īreaking Fast directed by Mike Mosallam.