USA vs AL-ARIAN is 2007 documentary film about Sami Al-Arian and his family during and after his federal trial on terrorism-related charges. It was directed by the Norwegian director Line Halvorsen.

USA vs. Al-Arian
Directed byLine Halvorsen
Written byLine Halvorsen
Produced byJan Dalchow
StarringSami Al-Arian
Nahla Al-Arian
Abdullah Al-Arian
Laila Al-Arian
Leena Al-Arian
Ali Al-Arian
Lama Al-Arian
Linda Moreno
Paul I. Perez
David Cole
CinematographyTone Andersen
Edited byTrond Winterkjaer
Line Halvorsen
Music byStein Berge Svendsen
Release date
  • 19 January 2007 (2007-01-19)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryNorway
LanguagesEnglish
Arabic

According to the St. Petersburg Times, the film "glosses over the specific charges, and pays scant attention to the evidence."[1] However Variety notes that, "Though unquestionably biased, eye-opening docu "USA vs Al-Arian" throws the spotlight on a justice system shanghaied by the Patriot Act, leaving a deeply sympathetic family frayed but not quite broken."[2]

In the trial, the jury acquitted Al-Arian of nearly half the charges, and deadlocked on the remaining charges. After the trial, Al-Arian pleaded guilty in 2006 to conspiracy to help a terrorist organization, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Awards

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  • Audience Award, 2007 Tromsø International Film Festival[3]
  • Best Film, 2007 New Orleans Human Rights Film Festival, USA[3]
  • Grand Prix (Flugeprisen), 2007 Norwegian Documentary Film Festival Volda[3]
  • Honorary Mention, 2007 International Festival of Muslim Cinema "Golden Minbar", Russia[3]
  • Best Nordic Documentary, 2007 Nordisk Panorama – 5 Cities Film Festival[3]

References

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  1. ^ Hillsborough: Film focuses on human side of the Al-Arian saga
  2. ^ Weissberg, Jay. (19 February 2007). "USA vs Al-Arian.(Movie review)". Variety: 51. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e Norwegian Film Institute. "USA vs. Al-Arian". Retrieved 25 April 2008.
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