PERSONS OF INTEREST
Directed by: Alison Maclean & Tobias Perse.
Produced by: Lawrence Konner.
Director of Photography: Richard Rutkowski.
Edited by: Sandrine Isambert.
Music by: Stewart Wallace.
Released by: First Run Features.
Country of Origin: USA. 63 min. Not Rated.

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
September 3, 2004