http://muslimmediareview.blogspot.com/2008/09/film-usa-v-al-arian.html

Haven't seen, but found this about it: "It's a disturbing film on freedom of speech in post 9/11 America and political persecution. The film follows the arrest and trial of Sami Al-Arian, an Arab-American university professor accused of supporting a ... (read more) Haven't seen, but found this about it: "It's a disturbing film on freedom of speech in post 9/11 America and political persecution. The film follows the arrest and trial of Sami Al-Arian, an Arab-American university professor accused of supporting a terrorist organization abroad. For two and a half years Dr. Al-Arian was held in solitary confinement, denied basic privileges and given limited access to his attorneys."

Kafka has nothing on this. A family's home gets raided, the head of the household arrested, and thrown into solitary confinement for two years for nothing that he has done. Imprisoned without trial when the victim, Dr. Sami al-Arian, is finally taken... (read more) Kafka has nothing on this. A family's home gets raided, the head of the household arrested, and thrown into solitary confinement for two years for nothing that he has done. Imprisoned without trial when the victim, Dr. Sami al-Arian, is finally taken to court, the jury finds him innocent of all 51 charges leveled against him in the $50m trial, despite the fact that the prosecution flew in 21 Israelis with no connection to trial to testify against him (at the same time, the defense is denied the right to mention the Israeli occupation of Palestine). 'Evidence' included among other inanities a conversations someone had with the defendant in his dream!

Rather than release the man, the state egged on by the Israel Lobby flexes its muscle and threatens to keep him in jail indefinitely unless he agrees to restitution to all those Israelis killed in the Occupied Territories who, as confirmed by the jury, have nothing to do with the al-Arian case. When al-Arian finally agrees to a revised plea-bargain which would allow him to be released and deported for admitting to minor offences. But the judge reneges and imprisons him for another 11 months for refusing to testify at an unrelated case.

The film is brilliantly shot and edited, and presents an intimate portrait of a family living in limbo as they deal with the day-to-day disappointments, frustrations and outrages. They endure in isolation, albeit with exemplary grace and courage, as the heavy handed tactics scare potential allies away. The mainstream media that had lapped up the sensationalism of the earlier 'suspected terrorist' charge seems to have gone AWOL since the process has ultimately turned into an indictment of the US justice system itself. Meanwhile al-Arian languishes in jail.

An up-close encounter with show trials and sham justice in post-911 America. The hope of the film lies in the strength and courage of Sami Al-Arian's family who continue to fight for his rightful release from political imprisonment.

an intimate and kafkaesque indictment of America's sad and haphazard lashing out at pro-Arab activism for fear of terrorism. al-arian is a palestinian intellectual under continued lockdown despite his acquital before a federal grand jury. ginsberg sa... (read more) an intimate and kafkaesque indictment of America's sad and haphazard lashing out at pro-Arab activism for fear of terrorism. al-arian is a palestinian intellectual under continued lockdown despite his acquital before a federal grand jury. ginsberg says there is a lining of objectivity to every radical subjectivity, and so we watch al-arian's persecution principally as it reverberates through his family, the daily struggles of his wife and children. the wcl brought his lawyer to the screening, and he had a chance to debrief us a little, but i've still been sitting with this..