"I call it the Saudi selfie film," Indian-born, New York–based filmmaker and LGBT activist Parvez Sharma tells me. We're at Sheffield Doc/Fest talking about his new film, A Sinner in Mecca, ahead of its European premiere.
Shot secretly, mainly using an iPhone, his highly personal documentary is one of few visual accounts of the hajj—the holy pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims undertake once in their lives (as long as they're physically and financially able)—because it's forbidden to film there.
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As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
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