Bring Soraya to my theater!

Tuesday, 07. 28. 2009  –  by Janice

How can I bring The Stoning of Soraya M. to my local theater?

As an independent film, The Stoning of Soraya M. is being released on a limited basis (click here for theaters). While the success of the film has allowed the its release to expand into many markets in the U.S. and was recently released in Canada, there are many who are interested in Soraya’s story but do not have access to the film, including in areas where the film is banned. Many visitors to our website have asked us what they can to share The Stoning of Soraya M. with their community and get it shown at their local theater.

One effective and easy way to share Soraya’s story with your community is to write a brief letter to the editor of your local paper. This is a quick way to make a lot of people aware of the film and create buzz.

Such letters can be altered and sent to local theaters requesting that they consider showing the film.

Such a strategy was utilized by Laura of Nashville, Tennessee after visiting our website. Not satisfied to sit back and wonder when the film would come her way, Laura wrote the following letter and sent modified versions to the Tennessean and and two local theaters:

I have been eagerly waiting to see a movie called, “The Stoning of Soraya M.” It is based on a true story about how women today (in different parts of the world) are still the victims of the cruelest acts. Soraya’s husband wanted to be rid of her to marry a 14 year-old-girl. So he conspires to frame her for immoral crimes that rally the village to stone her. You would think that such barbaric acts ended with the dark ages.

But they have not. They are happening all around us.

Unfortunately, I found out that this movie is not playing in any theaters in and around Nashville. Why is that?? This movie has sold out in many markets where it has been shown.

Everywhere people are talking about this movie. With all that is happening around the world, and here in the U.S. a movie like this can really awaken people to the injustices that still happen today. Do you remember the story about the 8 year-old-girl in Arizona who was savagely raped??? Her parents rejected her, blaming her for the rape. Child services had to come in and place the child in foster care. I believe her parents were refugees from Liberia where blaming rape on the  victim is common practice. This story, (and there are many, many, many more of them) are examples how fragile our freedoms are here in the west. We cannot be complacent and too comfortable with what we have, because we could loose it all tomorrow if we let these atrocities continue.

Woman’s rights are human rights issues that cannot, should not be ignored. As long as there is one woman somewhere in the world being treated this way, none of us are free.

You can visit www.moralcourage.com to see what all the fuss is about.

What an effective letter! Laura has:

• Told her audience about the film.
• Stated the problem of her community not having access to the movie.
• Made it relevant by discussing a recent news story, something that even happened in the U.S.
• Stressed the importance of the film.
• Gave readers an “action” to take after reading her letter: visit the Moral Courage Project website!

Thank you so much for your doing your part to make sure that Soraya’s story is told Laura!

For more template letters and ideas of how to share Soraya with your community and stop stoning, visit our Take Action page.

We invite you to tell us about your own efforts to share The Stoning of Soraya M. with your community. We look forward to hearing about your efforts!

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