Being Osama

An intimate exploration of six men with highly diverse backgrounds, interests and personalities, united by their first names...

Mahmoud Kaabour & Tim Schwab / Canada / 2004 / 45 min

Shot against the cultural backdrop of Montreal, the film follows the six Osamas from the time of the American invasion of Iraq in March of 2003 to the anti-WTO demonstrations in late July of the same year. Touching on subjects as diverse as Arab names, rock-n-roll, religion, Middle East politics, weddings, funerals and the meaning of identity, Being Osama is a sensitive and thoughtful portrait of six unique individuals and of the new Canada in which they live.

Through a series of interviews and by observing their daily lives, the film explores how sharing a first name with the world's most notorious terrorist can shape perception and prejudice. Touching upon such subjects as Arab names, rock-n-roll, religion, stereotypes, Middle East politics, marriage, mortality and the meaning of identity, BEING OSAMA is a sensitive and thoughtful portrait of these six unique individuals.

"The film depicts the diversity of Arabs and Arab cultures as well as the contradictions with the stereotypes...a serio-comic documentary with an authentic voice." --The Montreal Mirror

Credits

Awards & Festivals

2004 Winner, Big Muddy Film Festival at Southern Illinois University, Best Documentary
2004 Winner, Canadian National Youth Film Festival, Aurora Award

Film site & Reviews

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