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Reviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
PERSONS OF INTEREST
Following September 11th, the U.S. government set out to find terrorists within its borders. Five thousand
Arab or Muslim immigrants were taken into custody by the U.S. Justice Department. Persons of Interest gives voice to 12 of
those detained. One man was arrested on 9/11 by a cop for being Arab. "I came looking for freedom, you know, looking for peace," says another man, who
was under suspicion for having a post card of the World Trade Center on his deli's refrigerator.
Directly facing the camera, the subjects recount tales of betrayal by the country they call home.
Filmmakers Alison Maclean and Tobias Perse set up a whitewashed room on a sound stage and invited
these former detainees and their families to tell their stories on the last day of Ramadan, a time of reflection. The
controlled environment has just one window and a bench, mimicking an interrogation room. However, the
lighting is soft and the white walls not too harsh, a look that allows a stunning simplicity and gives power to
the testimonials. The somewhat experimental editing is equally thoughtful; a subject’s voice is heard while
the person stares silently at the camera. Another striking element is just how American these families are.
As one woman enters, her cell phone rings. "It's papa!" yells her son who rambunctiously runs about the set. His father has been secretly deported to Jordan. The only way for the family to rejoin him is to give up their Albany home.
Although the film doesn't delve deep enough into each individual story to give a complete understanding of
what are most likely appalling injustices, the testimonials are cleverly intercut with press conference footage
of Attorney General John Ashcroft, who relentlessly promises to use aggressive tactics to crack down on terrorism. The film is effective in countering Ashcroft's rhetoric, and is a strong statement
that this country doesn't always deliver the freedom it promises. Caitlin Shamberg, former programming associate for the Mill Valley Film Festival
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