USA vs Al-Arian - DaaVeeDee

USA vs Al-Arian (DVD) (*)

~~$23.99~~ $17.97

Screened, competed or awarded at:
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
Danish ( Subtitles )
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
English ( Subtitles )
Finnish ( Subtitles )
Norwegian ( Subtitles )
Swedish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Denmark ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
99 min

Aspect Ratio:
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Anamorphic Widescreen
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 2007 and produced in:
Norway ( Scandinavia, Iceland )

Directed By:
Line Halvorsen

Written By:
Line Halvorsen

Actors:
Abdullah Al-Arian ..... Himself
Laila Al-Arian ..... Herself
Nahla Al-Arian ..... Herself
Sami Al-Arian ..... Himself
George Bush ..... Himself

Synopsis:

Sami Al-Arian is a Palestinian refugee who came to the United States in 1975, and in time built a career for himself in academia, teaching college-level computer science and raising a family in Tampa, Florida. Al-Arian's life took a sudden and unexpected turn one night in 2003 when police and federal agents raided his home and put him under arrest. Al-Arian was accused of being a key American agent for the Islamic Jihad, and was tried in one of the first major trials to rise from laws established under the post-9/11 PATRIOT Act. While Al-Arian freely admits he's been an outspoken activist for Palestinian rights and against Israel, he's strongly denied taking part in any terrorist activities, with his wife and their five children lending their support. However, Al-Arian spent two years behind bars before his case went to trial, and the federal government spent six months making their case without finding a firm link between him and any known terrorists. Hoping to end his legal nightmare after his jury was deadlocked on several charges, Al-Arian pleaded guilty to aiding a group of Palestinian militants under the understanding he would be deported out of the United States as punishment; however, the judge opted to send Al-Arian back to prison instead, and now his family is fighting to win him a new trial. Norwegian documentary filmmaker Line Halvorsen followed Al-Arian's case for several years, and U.S.A. vs. Al-Arian employs newsreel footage and interviews with the defendant and his family in a troubling true-life story of justice gone awry.

Sami Al-Arian has worked for many years as a dedicated activist and lobbyist for the Palestinian cause in the USA. In 2003 he was arrested and jailed, accused by American authorities of having given economic support to Palestinian terrorist groups. In spite of many years of investigation, hearings, and a six-month long, high profile court case with over 80 witnesses, the authorities were unable to convince a jury that Al-Arian was guilty. But this verdict did not make a difference--Al-Arian is still in jail. The documentary allows the audience to follow the case against Al-Arian through the eyes of his wife and children, and shows the consequences of the USA's controversial Patriot Act--a law that was promoted as a necessary step in the war against terror--and which has led to loss of freedom, betrayal of civil rights, and political persecution.

Documentary about the trial of computer science professor Sami Al-Arian, accused of co-ordinating a terrorist network.

This product was added to our catalog on Monday 16 November, 2009.