Brothers and Others 2002
Distributed by Arab Film Distribution, 10035 35th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125; 206-322-0882
Produced by Baraka Productions, Nicolas Rossier, Trilby MacDonald.
Director n/a
DVD, color, 54 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Middle Eastern Studies, Human Rights, Civil Rights
Date Entered: 07/13/2004
Reviewed by Christine Rigda, Systems Dept., Oliver Ocasek Regional Medical Information Center, NEOUCOM, Rootstown, OhioIn the aftermath of 9/11, thousands of Arabs and Muslims living in the United States were detained and investigated. Some were deported. This DVD explores the effects of these investigations on several immigrants as they struggle to cope with increased prejudice and economic hardships.
Brothers and Others gives a very moving glimpse into the lives of Muslims living in America as they describe their experiences from their homes and their businesses. We meet a woman whose husband was deported and she does not have the means to run the family business and must return to the Middle East with her children. We also meet a man who is considering changing his name in order to avoid future prejudice. It should be stressed, however, that this is not an Anti-American film. It mainly seeks to raise questions about the tactics the government used after 9/11 and the consequences of those tactics.
The DVD also features interviews with Noam Chomsky and James Zogby. They both discuss 9/11 and what they feel are the motivations behind it and its effect on the world.
The picture and sound quality are both excellent with seamless editing. This is an important program because it gives a different point of view than what is often broadcast in the news media. Highly recommended for young adult and adult audiences, Brothers and Others may also be used for history classes to start discussions on freedom and the Constitution.