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The War Within


Ok, there is a new movie about a Pakistani Suicide Bomber out, here is the synopsis and some reviews:

The broad strokes of The War Within represent some of America?s worst fears. This is the story of a man committed to sacrificing his own life in a murderous act of terror. But this is not a film of broad strokes. Instead, in a mounting succession of chilling, understated scenes, it quietly charts the map of uncertainty between Hassan?s decision and the realization of his plot.? ? Cameron Bailey, Toronto Film Festival (read full review)

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Here is a letter from the film's director/co-writer, Joseph Castelo:

Greetings FiLM Club member,

Inspired by films like Shadow of a Doubt, Taxi Driver, and The Battle of Algiers, I wanted to make a movie that explored the painful no-man?s land between empathy and terror. It seems to me that?s where we are caught today, in a world reshaped since 9/11 into a landscape of treacherous ideologies peopled by dehumanized effigies.

How to make a truthful and gripping?a visceral and yet emotionally intelligent experience?about this subject in today?s climate? Which is to ask: How to stay true to the human realities of the film?s subject matter, realities which are so often obscured by the politicizing discourses we have become accustomed to?

THE WAR WITHIN is our attempt. My filmmaking partners and I committed ourselves deeply to this difficult task, and we are tremendously gratified by the opportunity finally to share it with audiences.

- Joseph Castelo


Hassan (co-writer Ayad Akhtar) is a Pakistani suicide bomber heading for New York, but the day the attack is due to take place, all the cell members except him and another man are arrested. Desperate, Hassan turns to his former best friend Sayeed (Firdous Bamji), who is living the American dream with his family in New Jersey. After lying to Sayeed about why he is in the U.S., Hassan begins buying parts for explosives. As the days pass, and he gets closer to Sayeed's family, Hassan's determination to complete his mission starts to waver.

You can watch the trailer here. -> www.warwithinmovie.com
 

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Login to find out (November 1, 2005 at 12:12pm)
I thought it was ok from a westerners standpoint. It stereotyped american muslims. It's like the moderate muslims drink and have sex before marriage (like what was implied about the girl in the film) which makes them "more american". That was the only thing that bothered me mainly because most muslims don't do that in the US especially at home in the open. Not saying its wrong or right just not what usually happens in most families. Anyhow, i liked the idea behind the film and the overall plot. Glad to see more movies like these referencing muslims are popping up.
 
Login to find out (October 14, 2005 at 1:44pm)
I hope it does really well. My hubby, my coworker and I are gonna see it tonight inshallah. Have been waiting for a couple of weeks for this in DC.