Human Rights Arts & Film Festival. Human Rights, Australia.

USA VS AL-ARIAN
Australian Premiere

Norway 2007, English, 100 mins
Director: Line Halvorsen
Producer: Jan Dalchow
Genre: Documentary
Film Website: http://www.usavsalarian.com/
Themes: Right to a fair trial, freedom from discrimination, right to protest
Related Links: http://www.libertyvictoria.org.au/

New Orleans Human Rights Film Festival 2007 - Best Film
Norwegian Documentary Film Festival 2007 - Best Documentary
Troms International Film Festival 2007 - Audience Award
Hot Docs 2007 - Official Selection

Synopsis

In February 2003, pro-Palestinian civil rights activist, Dr Sami Al-Arian, was charged with providing material support to a terrorist organization. Prior to his arrest, Al-Arian was a highly regarded American citizen who attended White House briefings, advised several members of Congress, and met Presidents Clinton and Bush. However, in the two-and-a-half year lead-up to his trial, Al-Arian was held in solitary confinement, denied basic civil privileges and was deprived of full access to his lawyers.

USA vs Al-Arian is an intimate portrait that captures Al-Arian's dogged legal battle and its impact upon his family. Dragging Sami's wife, Nahla, and five children through the heartache and stigmatisation that comes with being charged with supporting terrorism, this film brings into question government tactics of silencing free speech and denying citizens their basic democratic rights. Could an American who is unashamedly pro-Palestinian ever receive a fair trial in a culture of fear and anti-Muslim prejudice?