“Khat-e Penhan / Hidden Line” explores the tension between self-expression and the pressures and rewards of finding acceptance through the eyes of an Afghan American girl. Finding herself in a surreal landscape, the girl follows a mysterious green ribbon to a gathering of masked, uniform figures--her elders. These figures, their masks marked with Farsi calligraphy denoting Afghan and American status symbols, hurl judgments on her in the form of black ribbons expelled from their mouths, entangling her and preventing her escape. She finally agrees to their demand that she wear a mask. The ribbons disappear and she is able to see the figures as they see themselves, distinguished and eloquent. She joins their dance, but finds even this is not enough to satisfy their demands.

Gazelle Samizay

gsamizay@gmail.com