LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates College presents "Films of Muslim Life," a festival of award-winning films set in Iran and Senegal, at 7:30 Wednesdays p.m. from May 1 through May 22 in Room 104 in the Olin Arts Center, Russell Street. A member of the Bates faculty or a Muslim student will host a discussion following each screening, and the public is invited to attend free of charge. For more information, call 207-786-6195.

The schedule:

May 1. "Where is the Friend's Home?" Directed by Abbas Kiarostomi (Iran, 1989). A boy defies his parents by searching for a friend's home to return a notebook so that the friend will not be expelled from school. Farsi with English subtitles.

May 8. "The Circle." Directed by Jafar Panahi (Iran, 1999). Women at the bottom of Iran's social ladder who have no male relatives to legitimize them land in trouble with the law, often for little reason. The movie was banned in Iran until it began winning film festival winning awards, including the Golden Lion at the 2000 Venice Film Festival. Farsi with English subtitles.

May 15. "Guelwar." Directed by Ousmane Sembene (Senegal, 1992). When the body of a Christian is mistakenly buried in a Muslim cemetery, a black comedy of red tape, corruption and petty village conflict breaks out. Wolof with English subtitles.

May 22. "Ceddo." Directed by Ousmane Sembene (Senegal, 1977). The kidnapping of a beautiful princess during the Muslim expansion leads to a clash between the Muslims and the Ceddo, a feudal class of common people. Wolof with English subtitles.
The series is hosted by the anthropology department and funded by a grant from the Christian A. Johnson Foundation.