A Sinner in Mecca: Difference between revisions

A Sinner in Mecca
A Sinner in Mecca
	Official Poster
Directed by	Parvez Sharma
Produced by	Parvez Sharma; Alison Amron; Andrew Herwitz
Cinematography	Parvez Sharma ; Husain Akbar
Edited by	Alison Amron ; Sajid Akbar
Music by	Sajid Akbar; M.E. Manning
Release dates	April 29, 2015 (Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival); September 4, 2015 (Cinema Village, New York);
Running time	79 minutes
Countries	United States ; Saudi Arabia; India
Languages	English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 04:52, 25 September 2024

A Sinner in Mecca is a 2015 documentary film from director Parvez Sharma (A Jihad for Love). The film chronicles Sharma's Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia as an openly gay Muslim. The film premiered at the 2015 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival to critical acclaim ^[3] as well as negative controversies.^[1]^[4]^[5] The film opened in theaters in the US on September 4, 2015, and is a New York Times Critics' Pick.^[6]

Synopsis

A Sinner in Mecca enters a world that has been forbidden to non-Muslims for 14 centuries. Parvez Sharma documents his journey on an iPhone and two smuggled tiny cameras. On the streets of Mecca he joins 4 million other Muslim pilgrims from different traditions of Islam, fulfilling a lifelong calling for Hajj.

The film examines parts of the ideology that governs today’s Islamic extremism and what it has in common with Saudi Arabia’s Wahabi Islam. In the movie the filmmaker, an openly gay Muslim man, tries to find his own place within an Islam he has always known, an Islam that he believes bears no resemblance to Wahabi Islam.

In the movie the filmmaker sees himself as a longing Muslim, labeled an infidel, wondering if he can finally secure his place within this religion that condemns him.^[7]

Production

A Sinner in Mecca is co-produced with Arte and ZDF in Europe.

The film is set in Saudi Arabia, India, and the United States.

Festivals

A Sinner in Mecca's European premiere was at the UK's Sheffield Doc/Fest where it was nominated for a Grand Jury Award. Additional security was provided.^[8] The film won the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at Outfest in Los Angeles.^[9]^[10]^[11]

A Sinner in Mecca premiered at the 2015 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival^[12] and had a limited US theatrical release beginning on September 4, 2015. The film played at several international festivals including CPH Dox in November 2015^[13] and IDFA in November 2015.^[14] It won the Best Documentary Award at Image+Nation in Montreal in December, 2015.^[15] The film was among those in consideration for an Academy Award on October 23, 2015.^[16]

Controversy

The world premiere at Hot Docs required added security in response to online hate mail and death threats against the director.^[17]^[18]

The online abuse and death threats around the film continued through its theatrical release and its debut on iTunes, Netflix and television channels.^[19]

The film was initially slated to be screened at the 26th Singapore International Film Festival.^[20] Due to the country's conservative policies, permission to screen the film was withheld at the last minute.

Critical reception

The New York Times named the movie a Critics' Pick and said “Mr. Sharma has created a swirling, fascinating travelogue and a stirring celebration of devotion. We emerge from his film more enlightened.”^[21] Critic Alan Scherstuhl in The Village Voice said “Next time you hear politicians or right-wing broadcasters asking why 'moderate' Muslims don't denounce terrorism, show them this movie.”^[22] In a story on the film, The Washington Post called the film “Complex" and "Revelatory".^[23] In a feature about the film, Yahoo News called the film “A Rebuke of Saudi Arabia”.^[24]

The film received universal acclaim upon its 2015 Hot Docs premiere. The Hollywood Reporter called it “Wrenching… gritty… surreal and transcendent; Visceral and Abstract… a true act of courage and hope.”^[25] The Guardian wrote, “With poetic simplicity… a delicately personal story and a call to action.”^[26] OUT Magazine described it as “Brave... An unprecedented exploration of Islam.”^[27] Indiewire wrote, “Powerful, Illuminating … a remarkable examination of contemporary Islam.”^[28] BBC Persian called it “Shocking and Courageous”.^[29] Screen Daily referred to the film as ““Unprecedented… Surreal.”^[30] The Toronto Star called it “A deeply personal film about faith and forgiveness.”^[31] Scroll.in said, “Deeply personal … High Drama … A protest against Saudi Arabia”.^[32] Anne Thompson in Thompson on Hollywood wrote, “The film combines the political, the personal and the spiritual in a remarkable way”.^[33] It has a score of 76% on Metacritic^[34] and a score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.^[35]

In a feature on the film, The Daily News said it was “(A) death defying religious journey.”^[36] In its review of the film, The Daily News said “Compelling… takes its audience where no film has gone before”^[37]

Christianity Today says the film is “Critical but not mocking”.^[38]

Out magazine published an op-ed about Parvez Sharma's Hajj.^[39]

Jahan News, an Iranian news agency, denounced the filmmaker for promoting “the disgusting act of homosexuality” and labeled the film "an attack on Islam."^[40]

Awards

Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at Outfest in Los Angeles.^[9]^[10]^[41]

Won a RapidLion for Best Documentary Feature, 2016^[42]

Movies that Matter, The Hague, 2016^[43]

Best Documentary, Image+Nation Film Festival, Montreal 2016^[44]^[45]

Best Documentary, Reeling Film Festival^[46]^[47]

References

^ ^a ^b Linda Barnard (2015-04-28). "Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats | Toronto Star". The Star. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
^ "Cinema Village - Movie Information". Cinema Village. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
^ "Press". A Sinner in Mecca. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ "Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
^ film, Guardian (2015-05-01). "Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
^ Webster, Andy (3 September 2015). "In 'A Sinner in Mecca,' a Gay Director Ponders His Sexuality and Islamic Faith". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
^ "About". A Sinner in Mecca. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ film, Guardian (May 1, 2015). "Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary". the Guardian.
^ ^a ^b "'A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners". Screen. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
^ ^a ^b Kay2015-07-19T18:18:00+01:00, Jeremy. "'A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners". Screen.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ "'A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners". www.screendaily.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
^ "Hot Docs Film Festival - A Sinner in Mecca". boxoffice.hotdocs.ca. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
^ "A Sinner in Mecca". CPH:DOX. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
^ "A Sinner in Mecca | IDFA". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
^ "PRIX DU JURY / JURY AWARDS | IMAGE+NATION". tickets.image-nation.org. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
^ "Oscars: Academy receives 124 documentary submissions". www.screendaily.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
^ Barnard, Linda. "Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Vlessing, Etan. "Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Duffy, Nick. "Gay Muslim filmmaker 'terrified' after Mecca film leads to 'hate mail and threats'". Pinknews. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
^ "A SINNER IN MECCA". Singapore International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2015-12-04. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
^ Webster, Andy (2015-09-03). "In 'A Sinner in Mecca,' a Gay Director Ponders His Sexuality and Islamic Faith". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
^ "Insightful Doc 'A Sinner in Mecca' Finds a Gay Muslim Making an Unforgettable Pilgrimage". Village Voice. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
^ Service, Rachel Lowry | Religion News (2015-09-10). "Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in 'A Sinner in Mecca'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
^ "'A Sinner in Mecca' documents gay Muslim pilgrimage". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
^ Linden, Sheri (May 2015). "'A Sinner in Mecca': Hot Docs Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Samiezade'-Yazd, Safa (5 May 2015). "A Sinner in Mecca: gay film-maker on 'a hajj of defiance'". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Mcdonald, James. "A Sinner In Mecca Screens in Toronto". Out Magazine. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Knegt, Peter. "Parvez Sharma's Powerful 'A Sinner In Mecca' World Premieres at Hot Docs To Acclaim and Controversy". Indiewire. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ "مستند 'گناهکاری در مکه'، روایت زیارت حج یک مسلمان همجنسگرا". BBC Persian. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Kay, Jeremy. "Parvez Sharma, 'A Sinner In Mecca'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Barnard, Linda (28 April 2015). "Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Ramnath, Nandini (22 April 2015). "'A Sinner in Mecca': Gay director risks death by filming his Haj pilgrimage". Scroll India. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ Thompson, Anne. "With 'A Sinner in Mecca,' Parvez Sharma Puts His Soul and More on the Line". Thompson on Hollywood. Indiewire. Archived from the original on 31 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
^ "A Sinner in Mecca" – via www.metacritic.com.
^ "A Sinner in Mecca" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
^ "Gay filmmaker documents death-defying hajj in new movie". NY Daily News. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
^ "'A Sinner in Mecca' review: Gay Muslim's compelling journey". NY Daily News. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
^ "The Long Tail: No Man Is An Island". ChristianityToday.com. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
^ "As a Gay Man, I Wondered if I Was Muslim Enough to Visit Mecca". www.out.com. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
^ "Efforts to promote homosexuality in Iran". Jahan News. 27 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
^ "A SINNER IN MECCA | Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
^ "RapidLion - The South African International Film Festival". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
^ "Launch of Movies That Matter: A Matter of ACT Programme - The Hague Online". The Hague Online. 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
^ "Toronto's Hot Docs adds extra security for controversial gay Muslim movie". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
^ "Image+nation. festival cinema lgbt montreal film festival". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
^ A Sinner In Mecca, archived from the original on 2019-04-26, retrieved 2018-03-21
^ REPORTER, ARTS & CULTURE. "Reeling Film Festival Reels in Viewers with Visions of Progress". Columbia Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2020-04-04. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

External links

Official Website Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine
Official Trailer
IMDB
A Sinner in Mecca on Netflix
A Sinner in Mecca on iTunes

[Barnard20150428-1] Linda Barnard (2015-04-28). "Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats | Toronto Star". The Star. Retrieved 2018-03-24.

[2] "Cinema Village - Movie Information". Cinema Village. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 30 October 2015.

[3] "Press". A Sinner in Mecca. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[4] "Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-03-24.

[5] , Guardian (2015-05-01). "Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-03-24.

[6] Webster, Andy (3 September 2015). "In 'A Sinner in Mecca,' a Gay Director Ponders His Sexuality and Islamic Faith". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 October 2015.

[7] "About". A Sinner in Mecca. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[8] , Guardian (May 1, 2015). "Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary". the Guardian.

[:0-9] "'A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners". Screen. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

[:1-10] Kay2015-07-19T18:18:00+01:00, Jeremy. "'A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners". Screen.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[11] "'A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners". www.screendaily.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.

[12] "Hot Docs Film Festival - A Sinner in Mecca". boxoffice.hotdocs.ca. Retrieved 2015-12-21.

[13] "A Sinner in Mecca". CPH:DOX. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-21.

[14] "A Sinner in Mecca | IDFA". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-21.

[15] "PRIX DU JURY / JURY AWARDS | IMAGE+NATION". tickets.image-nation.org. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-21.

[16] "Oscars: Academy receives 124 documentary submissions". www.screendaily.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.

[17] Barnard, Linda. "Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[18] Vlessing, Etan. "Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[19] Duffy, Nick. "Gay Muslim filmmaker 'terrified' after Mecca film leads to 'hate mail and threats'". Pinknews. Retrieved 30 October 2015.

[20] "A SINNER IN MECCA". Singapore International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2015-12-04. Retrieved 27 November 2015.

[21] Webster, Andy (2015-09-03). "In 'A Sinner in Mecca,' a Gay Director Ponders His Sexuality and Islamic Faith". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

[22] "Insightful Doc 'A Sinner in Mecca' Finds a Gay Muslim Making an Unforgettable Pilgrimage". Village Voice. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

[23] Service, Rachel Lowry | Religion News (2015-09-10). "Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in 'A Sinner in Mecca'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

[24] "'A Sinner in Mecca' documents gay Muslim pilgrimage". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

[25] Linden, Sheri (May 2015). "'A Sinner in Mecca': Hot Docs Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[26] Samiezade'-Yazd, Safa (5 May 2015). "A Sinner in Mecca: gay film-maker on 'a hajj of defiance'". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[27] Mcdonald, James. "A Sinner In Mecca Screens in Toronto". Out Magazine. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[28] Knegt, Peter. "Parvez Sharma's Powerful 'A Sinner In Mecca' World Premieres at Hot Docs To Acclaim and Controversy". Indiewire. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[29] "مستند 'گناهکاری در مکه'، روایت زیارت حج یک مسلمان همجنسگرا". BBC Persian. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[30] Kay, Jeremy. "Parvez Sharma, 'A Sinner In Mecca'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[31] Barnard, Linda (28 April 2015). "Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[32] Ramnath, Nandini (22 April 2015). "'A Sinner in Mecca': Gay director risks death by filming his Haj pilgrimage". Scroll India. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[33] Thompson, Anne. "With 'A Sinner in Mecca,' Parvez Sharma Puts His Soul and More on the Line". Thompson on Hollywood. Indiewire. Archived from the original on 31 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.

[34] "A Sinner in Mecca" – via www.metacritic.com.

[35] "A Sinner in Mecca" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.

[36] "Gay filmmaker documents death-defying hajj in new movie". NY Daily News. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

[37] "'A Sinner in Mecca' review: Gay Muslim's compelling journey". NY Daily News. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

[38] "The Long Tail: No Man Is An Island". ChristianityToday.com. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

[39] "As a Gay Man, I Wondered if I Was Muslim Enough to Visit Mecca". www.out.com. Retrieved 2015-11-10.

[40] "Efforts to promote homosexuality in Iran". Jahan News. 27 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

[41] "A SINNER IN MECCA | Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

[42] "RapidLion - The South African International Film Festival". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

[43] "Launch of Movies That Matter: A Matter of ACT Programme - The Hague Online". The Hague Online. 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

[44] "Toronto's Hot Docs adds extra security for controversial gay Muslim movie". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

[45] "Image+nation. festival cinema lgbt montreal film festival". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

[46] A Sinner In Mecca, archived from the original on 2019-04-26, retrieved 2018-03-21

[47] REPORTER, ARTS & CULTURE. "Reeling Film Festival Reels in Viewers with Visions of Progress". Columbia Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2020-04-04. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{for|the 2017 book by Parvez Sharma|A Sinner in Mecca: A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance}}
 {{Infobox film
 | name           = A Sinner in Mecca
@@ Line 9: / Line 10: @@
 | music          = Sajid Akbar<br />M.E. Manning
 | distributor    =
-| released       = {{Film date|2015|04|29|[[Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival]]|ref1=<ref name="Barnard20150428" />|2015|9|4|Cinema Village, New York}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Cinema Village - Movie Information|url=http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/show_movie.asp?movieid=3529|website=Cinema Village|accessdate=30 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906145839/http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/show_movie.asp?movieid=3529|archive-date=2015-09-06|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref>
+| released       = {{Film date|2015|04|29|[[Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival]]|ref1=<ref name="Barnard20150428" />|2015|9|4|Cinema Village, New York}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Cinema Village - Movie Information|url=http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/show_movie.asp?movieid=3529|website=Cinema Village|access-date=30 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906145839/http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/show_movie.asp?movieid=3529|archive-date=2015-09-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | runtime        = 79 minutes
 | country        = United States <br />[[Saudi Arabia]]<br />[[India]]
 | language       = English, [[Arabic]], [[Urdu]], [[Hindi]]
 }}
-'''''A Sinner in Mecca''''' is a 2015 documentary film from director [[Parvez Sharma]] (''[[A Jihad for Love]]''). The film chronicles Sharma's [[Hajj]] pilgrimage to [[Mecca]], [[Saudi Arabia]] as an openly [[LGBT in Islam|gay Muslim]]. The film premiered at the 2015 [[Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival]] to critical acclaim <ref>{{cite web|title=Press|url=http://asinnerinmecca.com/press/|website=A Sinner in Mecca|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> as well as negative controversies.<ref name=Barnard20150428>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html |title=Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats  {{!}} Toronto Star |newspaper=The Star |access-date=2018-03-24 |language=en |date=2015-04-28 |author=Linda Barnard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hot-docs-cinema-security-heightened-791248|title=Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-03-24|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|title=Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary|last=film|first=Guardian|date=2015-05-01|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-03-24}}</ref> The film opened in theaters in the US on September 4, 2015 and is a New York Times Critics' Pick.<ref>{{cite news|title=In ‘A Sinner in Mecca,’ a Gay Director Ponders His Sexuality and Islamic Faith|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/movies/in-a-sinner-in-mecca-a-gay-director-ponders-his-sexuality-and-islamic-faith.html|website=The New York Times|accessdate=7 October 2015}}</ref>
+'''''A Sinner in Mecca''''' is a 2015 documentary film from director [[Parvez Sharma]] (''[[A Jihad for Love]]''). The film chronicles Sharma's [[Hajj]] pilgrimage to [[Mecca]], [[Saudi Arabia]] as an openly [[LGBT in Islam|gay Muslim]]. The film premiered at the 2015 [[Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival]] to critical acclaim <ref>{{cite web|title=Press|url=http://asinnerinmecca.com/press/|website=A Sinner in Mecca|access-date=7 May 2015|archive-date=10 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010033125/http://asinnerinmecca.com/press/|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as negative controversies.<ref name=Barnard20150428>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html |title=Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats {{!}} Toronto Star |newspaper=The Star |access-date=2018-03-24 |language=en |date=2015-04-28 |author=Linda Barnard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hot-docs-cinema-security-heightened-791248|title=Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-03-24|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|title=Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary|last=film|first=Guardian|date=2015-05-01|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-03-24}}</ref> The film opened in theaters in the US on September 4, 2015, and is a ''New York Times'' Critics' Pick.<ref>{{cite news|title=In 'A Sinner in Mecca,' a Gay Director Ponders His Sexuality and Islamic Faith|work=The New York Times |date=3 September 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/movies/in-a-sinner-in-mecca-a-gay-director-ponders-his-sexuality-and-islamic-faith.html|access-date=7 October 2015 |last1=Webster |first1=Andy }}</ref>
-==Plot==
+==Synopsis==
-''A Sinner in Mecca'' enters a world that has been forbidden to non-Muslims for 14 centuries. [[Parvez Sharma|Sharma]] documents his journey on an [[iPhone]] and two smuggled tiny cameras. On the streets of [[Mecca]] he joins 4 million other [[Muslim]] pilgrims from different traditions of Islam, fulfilling a lifelong calling for [[Hajj]].
+''A Sinner in Mecca'' enters a world that has been forbidden to non-Muslims for 14 centuries. [[Parvez Sharma]] documents his journey on an [[iPhone]] and two smuggled tiny cameras. On the streets of [[Mecca]] he joins 4 million other [[Muslim]] pilgrims from different traditions of Islam, fulfilling a lifelong calling for [[Hajj]].
-The film examines parts of the ideology that governs today’s [[Islamic extremism]] and what it has in common with [[Saudi Arabia]]’s [[Wahabi Islam]]. In the movie the filmmaker, an openly gay Muslim man tries to find his own place within an Islam he has always known, an Islam that he believes bears no resemblance to Wahabi Islam.
+The film examines parts of the ideology that governs today’s [[Islamic extremism]] and what it has in common with [[Saudi Arabia]]’s [[Wahabi Islam]]. In the movie the filmmaker, an openly gay Muslim man, tries to find his own place within an Islam he has always known, an Islam that he believes bears no resemblance to Wahabi Islam.
-In the movie the filmmaker sees himself as a longing Muslim, labeled an [[infidel]], wondering if he can finally secure his place within this religion that condemns him.<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://asinnerinmecca.com/about/|website=A Sinner in Mecca|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref>
+In the movie the filmmaker sees himself as a longing Muslim, labeled an [[infidel]], wondering if he can finally secure his place within this religion that condemns him.<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://asinnerinmecca.com/about/|website=A Sinner in Mecca|access-date=7 May 2015|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011195324/http://asinnerinmecca.com/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 ==Production==
@@ Line 29: / Line 30: @@
 ==Festivals==
-A Sinner in Mecca continues to play at many film festivals around the world. Its European premiere was at the UK's [[Sheffield Doc/Fest]] where it was nominated for a Grand Jury Award. Additional security was provided.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary</ref> The film won the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at [[Outfest]] in Los Angeles.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.screendaily.com/other-festivals/a-sinner-in-mecca-among-2015-outfest-winners/5090676.article|title='A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners|last=|first=|date=|work=Screen|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">http://www.screendaily.com/festivals/other-festivals/a-sinner-in-mecca-among-2015-outfest-winners/5090676.article</ref> where additional security was provided as well.[https://www.facebook.com/events/707830079340354]
+''A Sinner in Mecca''<nowiki/>'s European premiere was at the UK's [[Sheffield Doc/Fest]] where it was nominated for a Grand Jury Award. Additional security was provided.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|title=Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary|first=Guardian|last=film|date=May 1, 2015|website=the Guardian}}</ref> The film won the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at [[Outfest]] in Los Angeles.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.screendaily.com/other-festivals/a-sinner-in-mecca-among-2015-outfest-winners/5090676.article|title='A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners|work=Screen|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/a-sinner-in-mecca-among-2015-outfest-winners/5090676.article|title='A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners|first=Jeremy|last=Kay2015-07-19T18:18:00+01:00|website=Screen}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = 'A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners|url = http://www.screendaily.com/festivals/other-festivals/a-sinner-in-mecca-among-2015-outfest-winners/5090676.article|website = www.screendaily.com|access-date = 2015-12-21}}</ref>
-A Sinner in Mecca premiered at the 2015 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival<ref>{{Cite web|title = Hot Docs Film Festival - A Sinner in Mecca|url = http://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=38296~446634ba-e848-4237-9b3c-72aceddb5263|website = boxoffice.hotdocs.ca|accessdate = 2015-12-21}}</ref> and had a limited US theatrical release beginning on September 4, 2015. The film continues to play at international festivals including CPH Dox in November, 2015<ref>{{Cite web|title = A Sinner in Mecca|url = http://cphdox.dk/en/programme/film/?id=3011|website = CPH:DOX|accessdate = 2015-12-21}}</ref> and IDFA in November, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = A Sinner in Mecca {{!}} IDFA|url = https://www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=097b2c74-12f5-4dfd-aade-38913c603fd7&tab=idfa|accessdate = 2015-12-21|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130146/https://www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=097b2c74-12f5-4dfd-aade-38913c603fd7&tab=idfa|archive-date = 2015-12-22|dead-url = yes|df = }}</ref> It won the Grand Jury award at Outfest,<ref>{{Cite web|title = 'A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners|url = http://www.screendaily.com/festivals/other-festivals/a-sinner-in-mecca-among-2015-outfest-winners/5090676.article|website = www.screendaily.com|accessdate = 2015-12-21}}</ref> Los Angeles in July, 2015 and the Best Documentary Award at Image+Nation in Montreal in December, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = PRIX DU JURY / JURY AWARDS {{!}} IMAGE+NATION|url = http://tickets.image-nation.org/en/blog/prix-du-jury-jury-awards|website = tickets.image-nation.org|accessdate = 2015-12-21}}</ref>  The film was among those in consideration for an Academy Award on October 23, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Oscars: Academy receives 124 documentary submissions|url = http://www.screendaily.com/awards/academy-receives-124-documentary-submissions/5095885.article|website = www.screendaily.com|accessdate = 2015-12-21}}</ref>
+''A Sinner in Mecca'' premiered at the 2015 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival<ref>{{Cite web|title = Hot Docs Film Festival - A Sinner in Mecca|url = http://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=38296~446634ba-e848-4237-9b3c-72aceddb5263|website = boxoffice.hotdocs.ca|access-date = 2015-12-21}}</ref> and had a limited US theatrical release beginning on September 4, 2015. The film played at several international festivals including CPH Dox in November 2015<ref>{{Cite web|title = A Sinner in Mecca|url = http://cphdox.dk/en/programme/film/?id=3011|website = CPH:DOX|access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222160559/http://cphdox.dk/en/programme/film/?id=3011|url-status = dead}}</ref> and IDFA in November 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = A Sinner in Mecca {{!}} IDFA|url = https://www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=097b2c74-12f5-4dfd-aade-38913c603fd7&tab=idfa|access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130146/https://www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=097b2c74-12f5-4dfd-aade-38913c603fd7&tab=idfa|archive-date = 2015-12-22|url-status=dead}}</ref> It won the Best Documentary Award at [[Image+Nation]] in Montreal in December, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = PRIX DU JURY / JURY AWARDS {{!}} IMAGE+NATION|url = http://tickets.image-nation.org/en/blog/prix-du-jury-jury-awards|website = tickets.image-nation.org|access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144549/http://tickets.image-nation.org/en/blog/prix-du-jury-jury-awards|url-status = dead}}</ref> The film was among those in consideration for an Academy Award on October 23, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Oscars: Academy receives 124 documentary submissions|url = http://www.screendaily.com/awards/academy-receives-124-documentary-submissions/5095885.article|website = www.screendaily.com|access-date = 2015-12-21}}</ref>
 ==Controversy==
-The world premiere at Hot Docs required added security in response to online hate mail and death threats against the director.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnard|first1=Linda|title=Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html|accessdate=7 May 2015|agency=The Toronto Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Vlessing|first1=Etan|title=Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hot-docs-cinema-security-heightened-791248|accessdate=7 May 2015|agency=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
+The world premiere at Hot Docs required added security in response to online hate mail and death threats against the director.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnard|first1=Linda|title=Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html|access-date=7 May 2015|agency=The Toronto Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Vlessing|first1=Etan|title=Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hot-docs-cinema-security-heightened-791248|access-date=7 May 2015|agency=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
-The online abuse and death threats around the film continued through its theatrical release and its debut on iTunes, Netflix and television channels.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Duffy|first1=Nick|title=Gay Muslim filmmaker ‘terrified’ after Mecca film leads to ‘hate mail and threats’|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/09/12/gay-muslim-filmmaker-terrified-after-mecca-film-leads-to-hate-mail-and-threats/|accessdate=30 October 2015|agency= Pinknews}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=‘A Sinner in Mecca’: Filmmaker receives death threats after documenting gay Muslim pilgrimage|url=https://www.rt.com/news/313918-sinner-mecca-documentary-threats/|accessdate=30 October 2015|agency= TV-Novosti}}</ref>
+The online abuse and death threats around the film continued through its theatrical release and its debut on iTunes, Netflix and television channels.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Duffy|first1=Nick|title=Gay Muslim filmmaker 'terrified' after Mecca film leads to 'hate mail and threats'|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/09/12/gay-muslim-filmmaker-terrified-after-mecca-film-leads-to-hate-mail-and-threats/|access-date=30 October 2015|agency= Pinknews}}</ref>
-The film was initially slated to be screened at the 26th Singapore International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|title=A SINNER IN MECCA|url=http://sgiff.com/browse-all-films/sinner-in-mecca/|website=Singapore International Film Festival|publisher=Singapore International Film Festival|accessdate=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204015453/http://sgiff.com/browse-all-films/sinner-in-mecca/|archive-date=2015-12-04|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref> Due to the country's conservative policies, permission to screen the film was withheld at the last minute.
+The film was initially slated to be screened at the 26th Singapore International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|title=A SINNER IN MECCA|url=http://sgiff.com/browse-all-films/sinner-in-mecca/|website=Singapore International Film Festival|access-date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204015453/http://sgiff.com/browse-all-films/sinner-in-mecca/|archive-date=2015-12-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to the country's conservative policies, permission to screen the film was withheld at the last minute.
 ==Critical reception==
-The New York Times named the movie a Critics' Pick and said “Mr. Sharma has created a swirling, fascinating travelogue and a stirring celebration of devotion. We emerge from his film more enlightened.”<ref>{{Cite news|title = In ‘A Sinner in Mecca,’ a Gay Director Ponders His Sexuality and Islamic Faith|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/movies/in-a-sinner-in-mecca-a-gay-director-ponders-his-sexuality-and-islamic-faith.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2015-09-03|access-date = 2015-11-10|issn = 0362-4331|first = Andy|last = Webster}}</ref> Critic Alan Scherstuhl in the Village Voice said “Next time you hear politicians or right-wing broadcasters asking why “moderate” Muslims don't denounce terrorism, show them this movie.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Insightful Doc ‘A Sinner in Mecca’ Finds a Gay Muslim Making an Unforgettable Pilgrimage|url = http://www.villagevoice.com/film/insightful-doc-a-sinner-in-mecca-finds-a-gay-muslim-making-an-unforgettable-pilgrimage-7599196|website = Village Voice|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref> The Los Angeles Times in a feature about the movie wrote “Challenging his own faith in the face of adversity.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Filmmaker Parvez Sharma on Islam, homosexuality and the new 'A Sinner in Mecca'|url = http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-gay-muslim-parvez-sharma-s-a-sinner-in-mecca-20150911-story.html|website = latimes.com|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref> In a story on the film, The Washington Post called the film “Complex" and "Revelatory".<ref>{{Cite news|title = Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in ‘A Sinner in Mecca’|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/gay-muslim-films-secret-pilgrimage-in-a-sinner-in-mecca/2015/09/10/c893f854-57e5-11e5-9f54-1ea23f6e02f3_story.html|newspaper = The Washington Post|date = 2015-09-10|access-date = 2015-11-10|issn = 0190-8286|language = en-US|first = Rachel Lowry {{!}} Religion News|last = Service}}</ref> In a feature about the film, Yahoo News called the film “A Rebuke of Saudi Arabia”.<ref>{{cite web|title = 'A Sinner in Mecca' documents gay Muslim pilgrimage|url = https://news.yahoo.com/sinner-mecca-documents-gay-muslim-pilgrimage-022756642.html|website = Yahoo News|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
+''The New York Times'' named the movie a Critics' Pick and said “Mr. Sharma has created a swirling, fascinating travelogue and a stirring celebration of devotion. We emerge from his film more enlightened.”<ref>{{Cite news|title = In 'A Sinner in Mecca,' a Gay Director Ponders His Sexuality and Islamic Faith|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/movies/in-a-sinner-in-mecca-a-gay-director-ponders-his-sexuality-and-islamic-faith.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2015-09-03|access-date = 2015-11-10|issn = 0362-4331|first = Andy|last = Webster}}</ref> Critic Alan Scherstuhl in ''The Village Voice'' said “Next time you hear politicians or right-wing broadcasters asking why 'moderate' Muslims don't denounce terrorism, show them this movie.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Insightful Doc 'A Sinner in Mecca' Finds a Gay Muslim Making an Unforgettable Pilgrimage|url = http://www.villagevoice.com/film/insightful-doc-a-sinner-in-mecca-finds-a-gay-muslim-making-an-unforgettable-pilgrimage-7599196|website = Village Voice| date=3 September 2015 |access-date = 2015-11-10}}</ref> In a story on the film, ''The Washington Post'' called the film “Complex" and "Revelatory".<ref>{{Cite news|title = Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in 'A Sinner in Mecca'|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/gay-muslim-films-secret-pilgrimage-in-a-sinner-in-mecca/2015/09/10/c893f854-57e5-11e5-9f54-1ea23f6e02f3_story.html|newspaper = The Washington Post|date = 2015-09-10|access-date = 2015-11-10|issn = 0190-8286|language = en-US|first = Rachel Lowry {{!}} Religion News|last = Service}}</ref> In a feature about the film, Yahoo News called the film “A Rebuke of Saudi Arabia”.<ref>{{cite web|title = 'A Sinner in Mecca' documents gay Muslim pilgrimage|url = https://news.yahoo.com/sinner-mecca-documents-gay-muslim-pilgrimage-022756642.html|website = Yahoo News|access-date = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-The film received universal acclaim upon its 2015 Hot Docs premiere. ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' called it “Wrenching… gritty… surreal and transcendent; Visceral and Abstract… a true act of courage and hope.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Linden|first1=Sheri|title=‘A Sinner in Mecca’: Hot Docs Review|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/a-sinner-mecca-hot-docs-790891|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote, “With poetic simplicity… a delicately personal story and a call to action.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Samiezade'-Yazd|first1=Safa|title=A Sinner in Mecca: gay film-maker on 'a hajj of defiance'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/05/a-sinner-in-mecca-gay-filmmaker-on-a-hajj-of-defiance|website=The Guardian|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> [[OUT Magazine]] described it as “Brave... An unprecedented exploration of Islam.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mcdonald|first1=James|title=A Sinner In Mecca Screens in Toronto|url=http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/3/26/sinner-mecca-gay-muslim-documentary-parvez-sharma|website=Out Magazine|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> [[Indiewire]] wrote, “Powerful, Illuminating … a remarkable examination of contemporary Islam.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knegt|first1=Peter|title=Parvez Sharma's Powerful 'A Sinner In Mecca' World Premieres at Hot Docs To Acclaim and Controversy|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/bent/parvez-sharmas-powerful-a-sinner-in-mecca-world-premieres-at-hot-docs-to-acclaim-and-controversy-20150501|website=Indiewire|accessdate=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508011434/http://blogs.indiewire.com/bent/parvez-sharmas-powerful-a-sinner-in-mecca-world-premieres-at-hot-docs-to-acclaim-and-controversy-20150501|archive-date=8 May 2015|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[NOW Toronto]] said, “Spectacular… Emotional core stands out”.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cole|first1=Susan|title=A Sinner in Mecca|url=https://nowtoronto.com/movies/hot-docs-2015/a-sinner-in-mecca/|website=Now Toronto|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> [[BBC Persian]] called it “Shocking and Courageous”.<ref>{{cite web|title=مستند 'گناهکاری در مکه'، روایت زیارت حج یک مسلمان همجنسگرا|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/2015/04/150424_l41_cinema_sinner_mecca|website=BBC Persian|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> [[Screen Daily]] referred to the film as ““Unprecedented… Surreal.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kay|first1=Jeremy|title=Parvez Sharma, ‘A Sinner In Mecca’|url=http://www.screendaily.com/features/interviews/parvez-sharma-a-sinner-in-mecca/5087099.article|website=Screen Daily|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> [[The Toronto Star]] called it “A deeply personal film about faith and forgiveness.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barnard|first1=Linda|title=Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html|website=The Toronto Star|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> Scroll.in said, “Deeply personal … High Drama … A protest against Saudi Arabia”.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ramnath|first1=Nandini|title='A Sinner in Mecca': Gay director risks death by filming his Haj pilgrimage|url=http://scroll.in/article/722060/a-sinner-in-mecca-gay-director-risks-death-by-filming-his-haj-pilgrimage|website=Scroll India|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> J.B. Spins wrote, “Nonfiction-filmmaking does not get much gutsier than Sharma video-documenting his hajj... Bold and stingingly truthful, A Sinner in Mecca is very highly recommended.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bendel|first1=Joe|title=Hot Docs ’15: A Sinner in Mecca|url=http://www.jbspins.blogspot.com/2015/04/hot-docs-15-sinner-in-mecca.html|website=j.b. spins|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref> Anne Thompson in Thompson on Hollywood wrote, “The film combines the political, the personal and the spiritual in a remarkable way”.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Anne|title=With 'A Sinner in Mecca,' Parvez Sharma Puts His Soul and More on the Line|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/with-a-sinner-in-mecca-parvez-sharma-puts-his-soul-and-more-on-the-line-exclusive-clip-and-poster-20150828|website=Thompson on Hollywood|publisher=Indiewire|accessdate=31 August 2015}}</ref> It has a score of 76% on Metacritic.<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-sinner-in-mecca</ref> The film has a score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_sinner_in_mecca/</ref>
+The film received universal acclaim upon its 2015 Hot Docs premiere. ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' called it “Wrenching… gritty… surreal and transcendent; Visceral and Abstract… a true act of courage and hope.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Linden|first1=Sheri|title='A Sinner in Mecca': Hot Docs Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/a-sinner-mecca-hot-docs-790891|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 2015 |access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote, “With poetic simplicity… a delicately personal story and a call to action.”<ref>{{cite news|last1=Samiezade'-Yazd|first1=Safa|title=A Sinner in Mecca: gay film-maker on 'a hajj of defiance'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/05/a-sinner-in-mecca-gay-filmmaker-on-a-hajj-of-defiance|website=The Guardian|date=5 May 2015 |access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> [[OUT Magazine]] described it as “Brave... An unprecedented exploration of Islam.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mcdonald|first1=James|title=A Sinner In Mecca Screens in Toronto|url=http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/3/26/sinner-mecca-gay-muslim-documentary-parvez-sharma|website=Out Magazine|access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> [[Indiewire]] wrote, “Powerful, Illuminating … a remarkable examination of contemporary Islam.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knegt|first1=Peter|title=Parvez Sharma's Powerful 'A Sinner In Mecca' World Premieres at Hot Docs To Acclaim and Controversy|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/bent/parvez-sharmas-powerful-a-sinner-in-mecca-world-premieres-at-hot-docs-to-acclaim-and-controversy-20150501|website=Indiewire|access-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508011434/http://blogs.indiewire.com/bent/parvez-sharmas-powerful-a-sinner-in-mecca-world-premieres-at-hot-docs-to-acclaim-and-controversy-20150501|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>  [[BBC Persian]] called it “Shocking and Courageous”.<ref>{{cite web|title=مستند 'گناهکاری در مکه'، روایت زیارت حج یک مسلمان همجنسگرا|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/2015/04/150424_l41_cinema_sinner_mecca|website=BBC Persian|date=24 April 2015 |access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> [[Screen Daily]] referred to the film as ““Unprecedented… Surreal.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kay|first1=Jeremy|title=Parvez Sharma, 'A Sinner In Mecca'|url=http://www.screendaily.com/features/interviews/parvez-sharma-a-sinner-in-mecca/5087099.article|website=Screen Daily|access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> ''[[The Toronto Star]]'' called it “A deeply personal film about faith and forgiveness.”<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barnard|first1=Linda|title=Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html|website=The Toronto Star|date=28 April 2015 |access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> Scroll.in said, “Deeply personal … High Drama … A protest against Saudi Arabia”.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ramnath|first1=Nandini|title='A Sinner in Mecca': Gay director risks death by filming his Haj pilgrimage|url=http://scroll.in/article/722060/a-sinner-in-mecca-gay-director-risks-death-by-filming-his-haj-pilgrimage|website=Scroll India|date=22 April 2015 |access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> Anne Thompson in Thompson on Hollywood wrote, “The film combines the political, the personal and the spiritual in a remarkable way”.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Anne|title=With 'A Sinner in Mecca,' Parvez Sharma Puts His Soul and More on the Line|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/with-a-sinner-in-mecca-parvez-sharma-puts-his-soul-and-more-on-the-line-exclusive-clip-and-poster-20150828|website=Thompson on Hollywood|publisher=Indiewire|access-date=31 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831194623/http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/with-a-sinner-in-mecca-parvez-sharma-puts-his-soul-and-more-on-the-line-exclusive-clip-and-poster-20150828|archive-date=31 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has a score of 76% on Metacritic<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-sinner-in-mecca|title=A Sinner in Mecca|via=www.metacritic.com}}</ref> and a score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_sinner_in_mecca|title=A Sinner in Mecca|via=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref>
-In a feature on the film, [[Daily News (New York)|The Daily News]] said it was “(A) death defying religious journey.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Gay filmmaker documents death-defying hajj in new movie|url = http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/gay-filmmaker-documents-death-defying-hajj-new-movie-article-1.2326078|website = NY Daily News|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref> In its review of the film, The Daily News said “Compelling… takes its audience where no film has gone before”<ref>{{cite web|title = ‘A Sinner in Mecca’ review: Gay Muslim's compelling journey|url = http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/sinner-mecca-review-gay-muslim-compelling-journey-article-1.2347584|website = NY Daily News|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
+In a feature on the film, [[Daily News (New York)|''The Daily News'']] said it was “(A) death defying religious journey.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Gay filmmaker documents death-defying hajj in new movie|url = http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/gay-filmmaker-documents-death-defying-hajj-new-movie-article-1.2326078|website = NY Daily News| date=20 August 2015 |access-date = 2015-11-10}}</ref> In its review of the film, ''The Daily News'' said “Compelling… takes its audience where no film has gone before”<ref>{{cite web|title = 'A Sinner in Mecca' review: Gay Muslim's compelling journey|url = http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/sinner-mecca-review-gay-muslim-compelling-journey-article-1.2347584|website = NY Daily News| date=3 September 2015 |access-date = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-[[NBC]] News while writing about the film called it “The Talk of the documentary circuit.”<ref>{{cite web|title = The Secret Hajj: A Gay Muslim Documents His Pilgrimage to Mecca|url = http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/secret-hajj-gay-muslim-documents-his-pilgrimage-mecca-n362221|website = NBC News|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
+''[[Christianity Today]]'' says the film is “Critical but not mocking”.<ref>{{cite web|title = The Long Tail: No Man Is An Island|url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/september-web-only/long-tail-no-man-is-island.html?share=y3EMoZjxrnWdN1zHbPxHz3vftkyJ%2520mxN|website = ChristianityToday.com| date=7 September 2015 |access-date = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-[[The Daily Beast]] says “Goes undercover...A rare look...sure to be controversial.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Gay Muslim’s Secret Pilgrimage to Mecca|url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/25/gay-muslim-s-secret-pilgrimage-to-mecca.html|website = The Daily Beast|date = 2015-03-25|accessdate = 2015-11-10|first = Nina|last = Strochlic}}</ref>
+''Out'' magazine published an op-ed about Parvez Sharma's Hajj.<ref>{{cite web|title = As a Gay Man, I Wondered if I Was Muslim Enough to Visit Mecca|url = http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2015/8/31/gay-man-i-wondered-if-i-was-muslim-enough-visit-mecca|website = www.out.com|access-date = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-In its review of the film, [[Slant Magazine]] calls it “A work of vital social and political import.”<ref>{{cite web|title = A Sinner in Mecca {{!}} Film Review {{!}} Slant Magazine|url = http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/a-sinner-in-mecca|website = Slant Magazine|accessdate = 2015-11-10|language = en-US}}</ref>
+Jahan News, an Iranian news agency, denounced the filmmaker for promoting “the disgusting act of homosexuality” and labeled the film "an attack on Islam."<ref>{{cite web|title=Efforts to promote homosexuality in Iran|url=http://jahannews.com/vdcg7y9tqak9q34.rpra.html|website=Jahan News|date=27 April 2015|access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref>
-Writing about the film, VICE says “Brilliant...Rare...Takes aim at Wahhabi Islam.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Meet the Gay Muslim Filmmaker Who Secretly Filmed His Pilgrimage to Mecca {{!}} VICE {{!}} United Kingdom|url = https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/meet-the-gay-muslim-filmmaker-who-secretly-filmed-his-pilgrimage-to-mecca|website = VICE|accessdate = 2015-11-10|language = en-uk}}</ref>
-In a special feature about the film Paper Magazine says, “Surreal...Bold...An incredibly rare insight.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Meet the Gay Muslim Filmmaker Who Risked His Life to Complete His Pilgrimage to Mecca (and Made A Film About It)|url = http://www.papermag.com/2015/09/parvez_sharma_a_sinner_in_mecca.php|website = PAPERMAG|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]] says the film is “Like a carefully constructed thriller.”<ref>{{cite web|title = Three New Films Capture LGBT Life in the Middle East {{!}} Advocate.com|url = http://www.advocate.com/print-issue/current-issue/2015/08/28/three-new-films-capture-lgbt-life-middle-east|website = www.advocate.com|date = 2015-10-01|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-[[The Daily Mail]] says the film is “Powerful”.<ref>{{cite web|title = Gay Muslim filmmaker risks death in pilgrimage to reconcile faith a...|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3115552/Gay-Muslim-filmmaker-risks-death-pilgrimage-reconcile-faith-sexuality.html|website = Mail Online|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-Religion News Service wrote a detailed feature about the film on September 10, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title = Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in ‘A Sinner in Mecca’|url = http://www.religionnews.com/2015/09/10/gay-muslim-films-secret-pilgrimage-sinner-mecca/|website = Religion News Service|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-[[Christianity Today]] says the film is “Critical but not mocking”.<ref>{{cite web|title = The Long Tail: No Man Is An Island|url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/september-web-only/long-tail-no-man-is-island.html?share=y3EMoZjxrnWdN1zHbPxHz3vftkyJ%2520mxN|website = ChristianityToday.com|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-JB Spins calls the film “The Bravest documentary of the year”.<ref>{{cite web|title = J.B. Spins: A Sinner in Mecca: the Bravest Documentary of the Year|url = http://jbspins.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-sinner-in-mecca-bravest-documentary.html|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-[[Out (magazine)]] published an op-ed about Parvez Sharma's Hajj.<ref>{{cite web|title = As a Gay Man, I Wondered if I Was Muslim Enough to Visit Mecca|url = http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2015/8/31/gay-man-i-wondered-if-i-was-muslim-enough-visit-mecca|website = www.out.com|accessdate = 2015-11-10}}</ref>
-Jahan News, an Iranian news agency, denounced the filmmaker for promoting “the disgusting act of homosexuality” and labeled the film "an attack on Islam."<ref>{{cite web|title=Efforts to promote homosexuality in Iran|url=http://jahannews.com/vdcg7y9tqak9q34.rpra.html|website=Jahan News|accessdate=7 May 2015}}</ref>
 ==Awards==
@@ Line 80: / Line 63: @@
 Best Documentary, Image+Nation Film Festival, Montreal 2016<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/controversial-gay-muslim-film-has-world-premiere-in-toronto-1.3054117|title=Toronto's Hot Docs adds extra security for controversial gay Muslim movie|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/image.nation.festival/|title=Image+nation. festival cinema lgbt montreal film festival|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-21}}</ref>
-Best Documentary, Reeling Film Festival<ref>{{Citation|title=A Sinner In Mecca|url=http://reelingfilmfestival.org/2015/films/sinner-in-mecca/|language=en-US|accessdate=2018-03-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.columbiachronicle.com/arts_and_culture/article_2bbc735e-5e83-11e5-9e89-1b916fa57396.html|title=Reeling Film Festival Reels in Viewers with Visions of Progress|last=REPORTER|first=ARTS & CULTURE|work=Columbia Chronicle|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}</ref>
+Best Documentary, Reeling Film Festival<ref>{{Citation|title=A Sinner In Mecca|url=http://reelingfilmfestival.org/2015/films/sinner-in-mecca/|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-date=2019-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426173705/http://reelingfilmfestival.org/2015/films/sinner-in-mecca/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.columbiachronicle.com/arts_and_culture/article_2bbc735e-5e83-11e5-9e89-1b916fa57396.html|title=Reeling Film Festival Reels in Viewers with Visions of Progress|last=REPORTER|first=ARTS & CULTURE|work=Columbia Chronicle|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en|archive-date=2020-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404185604/http://www.columbiachronicle.com/arts_and_culture/article_2bbc735e-5e83-11e5-9e89-1b916fa57396.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 89: / Line 72: @@
 ==External links==
-*[http://asinnerinmecca.com/ Official Website]
+*[http://asinnerinmecca.com/ Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518103415/http://asinnerinmecca.com/ |date=2015-05-18 }}
 *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzshP2k5FMk Official Trailer]
 *[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4666618/?ref_=ttexst_exst_tt IMDB]
@@ Line 96: / Line 79: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Sinner in Mecca, A}}
-[[Category:2010s documentary films]]
+[[Category:2015 documentary films]]
-[[Category:Documentary films about LGBT and Islam]]
+[[Category:2015 films]]
+[[Category:Documentary films about LGBTQ and Islam]]
 [[Category:Hajj accounts]]
 [[Category:Films shot in Saudi Arabia]]
+[[Category:LGBTQ in Saudi Arabia]]