Nothing is Forgiven 2017
Distributed by Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Bart Van Langendonck, et al
Directed by Vincent Coen, Guilluame Vandenberghe
DVD , color, 61 min.
High School - General Adult
Activism, Journalism, Islam, Terrorism, Women’s Rights
Date Entered: 05/01/2018
Reviewed by Monique Threatt, Indiana University, Herman B Wells Library, Bloomington, IN“How can you fight ideology with weapons? The answer to terrorism is not war. You fight an ideology with enlightenment and knowledge.” – Zineb El Rhazoui.
Nothing is Forgiven provides a daunting glimpse into the life of Moroccan activist, blogger, and journalist Zineb El Rhazoui chronicling her role as an activist and protestor during the Arab Spring to her employment with, and survivor of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris. A highly popular and powerful movement, Arab Spring in 2010 soon gives way to government and military suppression of free speech. As Arab Spring turns into Arab Autumn, and then into Arab Winter, outspoken opponents flee the country to escape violent arrest, imprisonment, and/or death.
El Rhazoui flees Morocco and finds employment as a contributing journalist with Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical weekly magazine well known for its cartoons, articles, and jokes. In 2011, the building is the target of terrorist attacks due to its caricature depiction of the prophet and founder of Islam, Muhammad. In 2015, the building is yet again the target of an Islamic terrorist attack. However, this time, the attack leaves 12 people dead including its director Stéphane Charbonnier and several cartoonists.
As a survivor, El Rhazoui feels remorse and experiences survivor syndrome. She states, “…that when you survive a disaster, you feel guilty. You think why am I here when all these other people died?” Following the attack, she receives death threats from ISIS resulting in around-the-clock police protection. However, she commits to speak out against terrorist acts on news programs, public venues and lecture circuits to advocate for women and human rights, and for the protection of free speech. During the course of filming, she gives birth to a baby girl, but it weighs heavy in her heart and soul to know what will become of her daughter.
Although acts of terrorism are never forgiven, El Rhazoui rejects the answer to terrorism is war. She recognizes that the war is not against an individual nor the Islamic state, but rather people need to understand the ideology behind fanatical theocracies. This film would be a beneficial resource in library collections supporting activism, gender studies, journalism, religious studies, terrorism, and international affairs.