Jinn
I saw Jinn at AFI Fest a month ago, and it’s still burrowed deep in my memory. Nijla Mumin’s feature is a vibrant tale of mothers and daughters, adolescent becoming, and an exploration of religious devotion.
Summer (Zoe Renee) is a 17-year-old set to graduate high school in a few months. Rebellious and flirtatious, Summer’s life is seemingly going well — until her mother (Simone Missick_ declares she’s converting to Islam. Confused but open, Summer decides to accompany her mother to services, but as her own nature butts up against the religious dogma, she starts to wonder if this is really for her. And worse, if it’s not will it irreparably damage her relationship with her mother?
Jinn is a showcase for Mumin’s talent. Seriously, have her direct more things as soon as possible. Combine that with Renee’s ebullient performance and Missick as the emotionally conflicted mother and you’re left with a fantastic mother/daughter drama that touches on topics not often seen in mainstream cinema. The final scene, wherein Summer reads a poem to her class as her mother watches, will leave you a sobbing mess.
Too often movies about young girls of color are tragic, and while Jinn has some dark moments within it, the light seeps through. This is a different coming-of-age story more people need to see.