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Press Release: Cinequest Film Festival Screening

PRESS RELEASE

PRISON REENTRY FILM “THE HONEST STRUGGLE” TO SCREEN AT CINEQUEST FILM FESTIVAL

(02/15/2017): Cinequest Film and VR Festival will hold the Bay Area premiere of the documentary The Honest Struggle on March 4th at 5:30PM at Century 20 Redwood City. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/HonestCQ

Synopsis

After over 25 years of incarceration, a Muslim convert re-enters society in the Southside of Chicago to face the same streets that ruined his life. The film is a raw portrait of a man struggling with his past as a gang chief while trying to survive an honest life and redefine himself in a world in which he feels no belonging.

The film, shot over 3 years, explores the harsh realities of prison reentry, the troubled state and violence of the Southside of Chicago, and the role of Islam on communities of black ex-offenders.

Four time Emmy winning filmmaker Justin Mashouf mentions that “The Honest Struggle is my attempt to understand the results of our broken criminal justice system and how community initiatives, love and faith have the power to make an incredible impact in the lives of ex-offenders. At a time when Muslims are becoming increasingly marginalized in America, I hope my film has the effect of providing a more accurate depiction of the role of Islam on the American story.”

The Honest Struggle will be shown 4 times during the Cinequest Film Festival. All screenings will be followed by a Q&A session with director Justin Mashouf.

Century 20 Redwood City Saturday, March 4th @ 5:30 PM

Century 20 Redwood City Monday, March 6th @ 7:00 PM

Century 20 Redwood City Wednesday, March 8th @ 1:00 PM

CineArts Santana Row Saturday, March 11th @ 10:30 AM

About Cinequest

A vanguard organization set in the Silicon Valley, Cinequest’s uniqueness and impact result from being ahead of the curve in the powerful integration of creativity and technology. Cinequest fuses the world of the filmed arts with that of Silicon Valley’s innovation to empower youth, artists, and innovators to create and connect – driving transformations and a better tomorrow. Cinequest does this through Cinequest Film & VR Festival, Picture The Possibilities (PTP), and its sister company Cinequest Mavericks Studio. (Voted Best Film Festival By USA Today Readers.)

For more information, contact: JUSTIN MASHOUF,  js.mashouf (at) gmail.com, HonestStruggle.co