The Sheik and I

Synopsis

Commissioned by a Middle Eastern Biennial to make a film on the theme of “art as a subversive act,” independent filmmaker Caveh Zahedi (“I Am a Sex Addict”) goes overboard. Told that he can do whatever he wants except make fun of the Sheik, who rules the country and finances the Biennial, Zahedi decides to do just that. He turns his camera on the Biennial itself and gleefully presses every culturally sensitive button he can find. But his court jester antics fail to amuse. Zahedi’s film is banned for blasphemy and he is threatened with a fatwa.

Director Biography

Writer/director Caveh is well known for his self-reflexive and controversial style of filmmaking. His previous feature, I Am a Sex Addict, won the 2005 Gotham Award for Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You.