Art & Film Presents: Julian Schnabel: Miral (2010)

Based on the acclaimed semi-autobiographical novel, Miral is the story of a Palestinian girl coming of age amidst the war zone of the Israeli-Arab conflict - unflinchinly told through the perspective of Miral (Freida Pinto, Slumdog Millionaire) herself.  Following the death of her troubled mother, Miral's father (Alexander Siddig) is forced to entrust her to the orphanage of Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass), a woman whose commitment to peace through education has a profound impact on the maturing young woman as her epic journey to self-esteem and social consciousness proves both harrowing and hopeful.