Religious and cultural tensions escalate when an African Islamic woman has an affair with an agnostic man.
Ph.D. students Ben (Joseph Baird) and Ara (Constance Ejuma) connect one night at an art exhibit and become unlikely friends. Discovering that they attend the same school and are both working on their dissertations, Ben asks Ara to meet with him for feedback on his project. After spending time together, Ara, a devout Muslim, finds out Ben’s lifestyle completely opposes hers being an atheist and in an open relationship with a woman named Gabrielle (Q’orianka Kilcher). Despite their differences, Ara slowly becomes enamored with Ben but struggles and defies the strict rules of her religion, finally giving in to her human desires. While her mother constantly pleads with her to consider marrying a promising attorney named Najeeb (Momo Dione), she sneaks around with Ben anyway.
She begins to unravel as she ponders the possibility of having a relationship with Ben and still be faithful to Islam. She reveals the frustration of not fitting in with her African community as a professional woman receiving a Ph.D. instead of having children to a man arranged by family. She also feels out of place in America as a Muslim woman with a culture and lifestyle that is sometimes seen as suppressed or a threat by others.
Ara goes against her faith, removing her hijab in public and having sexual relations with Ben. When her mother catches her leaving a bar with him one night, things get serious for all involved. Ara’s mother confronts Ben about their behavior and warns him to either marry her or leave her alone. The clashing of her religious views against his liberal lifestyle finally takes its toll. Towards the end of the film, we see a realization of both characters as they look at themselves for the first time realistically and at that moment they decide that it is best they be apart.
I thought this was a great film that dealt with a lot of issues starting with how religion has the ability to divide. As an Atheist, I understand the feeling of trying to form a friendship with someone who has strong religious beliefs and having them either try and persuade me that a God exists or begin reciting a bible verse thinking a debate will all of a sudden make me believe; both equally annoying and a waste of time. Not only does this film present religious conflicts but cultural as well, not feeling like you fit in. The struggle about following cultural rules or going against your true desires is an important topic I think not enough people discuss. What I wished was mentioned is the big elephant in the room which is RACE. While this whole story is happening, not one person spoke about race issues which are alive and well but completely ignored in this movie. Is that a good thing? I don’t think so. I believe it’s unrealistic and would have been addressed probably before religion. Definitely a film you want to see and talk about.
“Ben & Ara” recently premiered at the 2019 African Diaspora International Film Festival
I give this movie 2 stars. It started off well, but once she qas pregnant, and got an abortion w.o. even telling Ben, I waa through with the movie. This was just propaganda to convince African women to not be with white men.