Movie Review: Young African-American Muslims Share A Hidden Love In 'Naz & Maalik'

NPR
By David Edelstein

Gay teens Maalik (Curtiss Cook, Jr.) and Naz (Kerwin Johnson, Jr.) face rejection by their family and community, as well as suspicion from authorities, in Naz & Maalik. Wolfe Video

HOLLYWOOD---Given the recent expression of anger about the lack of racial diversity in American cinema, it's nice to be able to tell you about Jay Dockendorf's very fine indie feature Naz & Maalik, in which the title characters are African-American teenage boys who also happen to be devout Muslims who also happen to be gay. Here is one more piece of the puzzle that is American life — a piece that has never made it to the screen before. You wonder how many others are missing.[link]