Operation Filmmaker

USA, 2007, 92 min, VIDEO
In English, Arabic with English subtitles
US Premiere

In attendance:  Director, Nina Davenport

After seeing a documentary about a 25-year-old Iraqi film student whose school was destroyed, Liev Schreiber decided to help. So he invited Muthana Mohmed to work on the production of his film EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED, in Prague. But getting coffee and making copies is not Mohmed’s idea of learning how to direct. And that's only the beginning of the culture clash. After the charismatic young Mohmed watches his homeland slide into civil war on the news, he declares his love for George Bush. The film crew is shocked, and tensions grow. Nina Davenport's study of good intentions gone horribly awry is poignant, uncomfortably funny and tragic. With his home in flames, Mohmed has nowhere to go. But how long can the American filmmakers support a young man who they will eventually have to leave?

This real-life portrait of clashing cultures shines a bright light on America's role in global politics.

This screening is part of the American Film Institute (AFI) Film Festival 2007.   For details on the festival and tickets visit www.afi.com