Talkback
Director Nina Davenport says: “My own guilt about the war made it impossible to remain an objective witness to his story over the two years that I filmed Muthana's effort to realize his dream to be a filmmaker.”
Was Muthana was treated differently by the people he encountered in the film because he was from a war-torn country? If so, how?
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It's clear from the comments that this has been aired before, but I just caught it for the first time on my local station. After reading many of the comments, a few things struck me:
1) Muthana was 25 when Nina Davenport began filming. So many comments refer to him as "a young man" or someone "just finding his way." He did look young, but think back to what you were doing at 25. Were you this lacking in self-knowledge? Were you this vague about your future plans? Did you still think the world owed you a living? Or were you busy paying your dues doing sometimes menial jobs in order to support yourself and advance in your field?
2) Comments about how none of us understand his troubles. Yes, he came from a country embroiled in war, but at the time he left he had been attending film school. I equated that with college-level coursework or above. Perhaps that was a mistake on my part. I don't think it was too much for the filmmakers who "adopted" him to expect that as a film student, and at his age, he knew enough about his own interests and abilities, was sincere in his desire to pursue filmmaking, and had some knowledge of the field. Not only was this demonstrably NOT the case, but he seemed unable or unwilling to take advantage of situations when he was given responsibility for his own success or failure, like the gag reel or the acceptance into the London film school.
3) Unlike some, I completely understood how Davenport's feelings of guilt about America's role in Iraq resulted in making her feel somehow complicit in this farce of a "victim's story." Muthana ultimately comes off as a victim not of the devastation of his country but as a victim of the Iraqi version of affluenza. It is clear to me that Davenport did not expect this result going in, and really who can blame her? It can't have been easy to admit that someone who relentlessly presented himself as a victim in search of a better life was in fact manipulating and taking advantage of pretty much everyone with whom he came in contact. Personally, I concluded that he was a complete narcissist, and after two years I too would have been desperately in search of an exit strategy.
I got online to get an update on the young man in the film. Its unlikely that he reads this blog, but wanted him to know that all the struggles he went through are very normal and consistant for immigrants who are trying to find their way in another country, and who have to turn to people around them for help. The struggles will continue... they never quite go away, but there comes a time where hopefully you will find a corner of the globe where you have some peace. You will always miss your family, and struggle to be understood. And still be misunderstood. Hoping you don't give up, stay strong, continue growing... and God will cover your back.
Editors note:
A brief update on Muthana post-filming can be found here:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/operationfilmmaker/film.html
Are they now showing films for the sake that they were filmed?! Oh right, big names were present. This was a ridiculous disappointment. It didn't open anyone's eyes. It merely underlined the personal struggle we all go through on a daily basis. Shame on the filmmaker for selling this despite the lack of substance, to recover time and money lost in, just as Muthana said.. a selfish exploitation. He just wasn't the imagined posterchild, so they simply moved on. At least they gave The Rock the opportunity to redeem himself on camera.......
This movie is the story of our ancient cultural prejudices. Worse yet its an example of the neurotic qualities of those prejudices. Muthada is guilty of these tendencies just as everyone in the movie inescapably falls into the same tendencies. Culture is reactive and the presentation of this young Iraqi is the perfect example. It almost leaves you feeling hopeless about humanity's ultimate skills of communication. I was fortunate to know a person from the Middle East(born and bred in other words) during the worst days of the Iraqi war. His take on events was so peculiar to Americans, that he almost always ended up feeling completely disconnected from the American experience. Eventually he gave up and left without a backward glance. There are people who would cheer this inevitability, but they are in there own way as restricted as Muthada seems to us. God help us if we do not remember the differences that keep us apart and do not remember to reflect on them as merely circumstantial to basic humanity. My only criticism of this movie is that it was not released earlier when Americans could have better weighed the significance of events happening in Iraq during the filming. It's really like a delayed nightmare, so we can't really figure out the relative psychological state as it was during the events in the movie. Cheers to everyone who helped Muthada, but what he really needed before venturing into the Wonder of the Western World was 8 weeks of heavy Post Traumatic Stress disorder counseling.
nina is a brilliant director. She captured a balanced reality. The scene near conclusion concerning her camera provided the perfect climax! Bravo!
Did we all see the same film? I am really upset,from reading some of the comments, Muthana was a jerk. I work in the film biz and I come from a middle class family. he did not try to make his life better. he expected others to help him, but in life you got to help yourself.
the job that he was asked to do was no different from any other PA/intern on any production. i don't think he was a con-artist outright, but the fact that he expected others to pay for his education and living expenses is ridiculous! why didn't he try to get a job while he was in the UK or CR? He lived rent free in teh CR for several months! that says a lot right there, he did not try.
he did not really want to be a filmmaker or an actor, he was just going with the flow trying to get the next thing whatever it may be, it is crazy to me that people are blaming the producers, when the producers helped him many times! they helped him with his papers and gave him money etc. so why are they being blamed, they did not have to help him at all! he was an intern, and he was actually treated better than other interns that I have worke with. the fact that he was from Iraq helped him because he was treated with kid gloves.
also i would keep in mind that they filmed him for over 2 years and they didn't show a lot of stuff, so when you see someones frustration with muthana it's probally been building for a while.
i don't have sympanthy for someone who doesn't want to take a graet oppporunity given to him and try to do something with it.
I agree with Louis Mitchell . . .I think this guy was used by the filmmakers. Just because he says he wants to "make films" does not mean he's capable of it. Was there some spark of brilliance that they saw in him at the beginning? If so, I missed that part. And then to end the documentary with the line about trying to find an "exit strategy". How clever. I was left with the impression that that was the whole point of the exercise . . .so she could use that line. I love Indie Lens and have never watched one that left me feeling so irritated.
Muthana is a con artist as far as I am concerned. I don't think he intentionally set out to con people out of money from the start. But that is what he did do. He never held any kind of steady job to support himself and had no problem asking others to give him help and money. He had the requisite charm and guile to continue to be able to pull this off. That is the essence of a con man. He just doesn't realize yet that that is what he is. Everyone else was an enabler. He developed an addictive behavior that really needed an intervention, not more pity.
I started in the film business in 1972 in my early twenties. I was paid $10 flat a day. All days were 12+ hours and some were 20+ for 30 days straight. I felt like I was getting paid to go to film school. ANY JOB was my job. I looked for things to do for anybody who would let me help them. I got coffee, lunch, did electric and grip, helped SFX rig, cleaned up, did transpo and anything else under the sun and moon to make myself necessary and desired on set. If they said "tell someone" to do something, my goal was next time they would automatically say, "tell Dan," or "get Dan to" whatever. Muthana never figured that out. He didn't want to figure that out. After a while, I became valuable enough that I no longer HAD to get coffee and lunches. It became someone elses job. As an LD/Gaffer I still will get drinks or snacks for fellow crew members as a courtesy and they will do the same for me. That's how it would have worked for him if he had shown the humility and initiative that the film industry looks for in young interns. Show us what you can do and are willing to do, then you will have value in the marketplace. His culture and lack of "support" had nothing to do with the poor choices he consistently made when presented with a fresh opportunity to prove or redeem himself. He had a terminal case of wannbe when he needed a chronic case of wannado.
When the second movie I worked on went into prepro, I asked to be taught how to do script breakdowns and did them for free because aat the time I wanted to be an AD or UPM. I worked days for nothing but learned a lot about budgeting, scheduling and other prepro skills. That's how it's done. You get off your whinning, lazy, ungrateful butt and do it. He wasted many fantastic opportunities for himself and sadly for someone else who would have put to better use the chance he was given. His failure had nothing to do with culture, liberalism of the media, or lack of training and delineated expectations of the film companies that hired him. He didn't step up and perform. He wants to be in a business that values visable, quick, effective results. The fault lies in him, not in his stars.
Upon viewing film about a young Iraq student striving to realize his dream & proudly representing his country as an accomplished Film Artist, I was struck by the immense generosity of both private citizens & non profits to help further this young artists education to realize his dream. However, many incidences suggested this student's irresponsibility in regards to supporting his own needs of everyday burdens. Perhaps a closer examination of cultural differences, especially those countries undergoing severe hardship without t'peace of simple freedoms, a 2wk orientation to help young students to better understand what is expected of them should be given. More so the student lacked maturity &experience 2deal w/his newfound freedom, beauty of the moment &his own social responsibility. Blame it more on his enterprizing need 2discover himself than his readiness towards serious study. No suprize.
The doc wasn't so much about Muthana as it was about the filmmaker. Why did she (Nina Davenport) continue to give Muthana money and support him after everyone 'gave up' on him. Did she like him, was she in a relationship with him?
It didn't take me long to get disgusted with Muthana Mohmed. It was too bad that you chose to help someone who had been catered to all his life and was a parasite. He didn't hesitate to ask for money but he refused to get a job to earn any and he even refused to do jobs on the set. In London, when he was asked why he didn't get a job, he indicated it was beneath him. I think his claim that he is in danger if he returns home is bogus--merely a ploy to gain sympathy so he doesn't have to return to the admitted bad conditions.
Next time pick a female...
I felt Muthana was an arrogant spoiled brat, who was using the fact that he was a victim of war, as an excuse not to have to work like everyone else. He kept making wild claims about how he was great and gifted, but if there were any basis to his claims he would have gotten farther than he did.
He was too lazy to even extend his own visa. It made me angry when he said "no other Iraqi has done this", I beg to differ, I know several Iraqis who have worked their butts off to get where they are, and he is not one of them. I am sure others can attest to the fact that he is not someone unique from Iraq.
It also made me sick that he continued to ask others for a free ride when he had no intention of putting forth any effort himself to qualify for scholarships or other forms of funding. He just went on and on about how great he was, and how he has his pride and that nobody will ever understand that. Um we are all human we all have our pride, the arrogance he had disgusted me, and I found myself talking back to the TV shouting "INGRATE".
I bet after seeing this "The Rock" will feel he made a mistake in helping Muthana and that his money would have been better spent elsewhere for someone who actually wanted to make a difference. All Muthana did was use people and exploit the war as a reason for expecting hand outs. What did Saddam hand him? Nobody owes him anything, he is talentless and that much was proven by this documentary.
I just feel sorry for the girl who was filming him, because he was no example of an Iraqi, he was the product of an over indulgent family who didnt instill any values in their son. Iraqis are hard working people, and he did not represent his people in the least!
I agree with Sean. I saw Muthana as a child thrust into situations where he was forced to mature - under the annoying scrutiny of the filmmaker. We all have years where we are transitioning from blindness to sight (in certain areas of life), and those transitions sometimes can be ugly or painful. None of us - the viewers who may be judging Muthana - has had our ugliest moments captured on film. I felt Muthana's transition wasn't particularly ugly! I felt he was lonely. It seemed his pride is his only friend, a way to hold onto his strength, so it was naturally painful for him to know that his struggles were being captured. I felt Nina was struggling with her compassions, but that in the end, she blamed him for her own problems. As Sean pointed out, transitioning to new cultures is a huge process, and having connections to OTHER immigrants is key to smoothing that transition. He seemed to be completely isolated until the very end when he settled not only with another immigrant roomate, but with people he saw daily at school, and developed true friendships. He took a break - as he stated. And when she returned, I saw a more balanced, whole person in Muthana, and his request for money was not at all out of line being that he was the subject of the film who was still struggling to make ends meet.
After watching the film I took time to read all of the comments - a lot of repetition but many very interesting observations and I want to thank all who shared their thoughts - they helped me formulate my own reactions. There's no question that those who invited this young Iraqi man to the Czech Republic gave little thought to what his role would be, or what he would do when the film was completed. However, at 25 years of age, Muntha showed very little understanding of what was expected of him, and he never appeared to accept personal responsibility for his actions and/or failures. It's a sad story full of mistakes and misunderstandings, but not an unusual result when people attempt to affect human changes without considering the consequences. Thanks to the film makers who developed this thought provoking documentary.
I tuned into this program casually, but got hooked my the sad "Ugly American" attitude of the people that brought the young Muthana to a different world from Iraq. Liev Schrieber and the Producer didn't realize
that bringing him to the Czech-Republic and throwing into the deep end without proper guidance would guarantee that he fail. The usual mentality of Hollywood Liberals! They lost interest in him after he expressed admiration for George Bush. It's truly sad that the kid didn't get the help he needed from the beginning. I speak from experience as I have worked on films in Eastern Europe and the people don't need our pity or our "Best Intentions" but a real opportunity to better their lives! Liev Schrieber, the Producer and the Doc. filmmakers could have done more to help the kid if they helped rebuild the Art School in Baghdad. But that wouldn't get them and publicity for their film and careers. For example, Gary Sinese has done allot of work in Iraq with schoolchildren. Perhaps if Mr. Schieber and the Producer weren't so concerned with their images and careers they could be more help in the post-war Iraq and to that "lost" kid that they exploited!
This documentary is not so much about a young man from war torn Iraq, but rather about a young man who wasn't willing to take the necessary steps to follow his "passion."
I remember, as a younger man who wanted to be a sound engineer, spending every waking moment watching, studying, learning everything I could to be the best in my field. If that meant getting someone's dry cleaning so that 2 months later I could spend 5 minutes in a recording studio with them, I would do it.
When you are truly passionate about something there are no limits to what you will do to be engrossed in that this.
Muthana did not have real passion for anything other than living off of the kindness of other people.
I don't think some of the actors in the earlier part of the film wanted to or could even try to understand the devastation of a country you live in and that death could be so close to you day by day. I think all they could harp on was how much money he wanted; how would they feel if your in a foreigh country no family no relatives it's difficult. Some people in the U.S have alway's lived in there hometown because it familiar and comfortable. This man was glad to be out of the war torn country but it's still hard to be a foreigner andjunfamiliar with the area. And people from his area of the world are more embarrased to ask for help it's there culture what they grow up in, some of the people were trying to put him in with how american's think some use other's for gain for no reason. I thought how would I feel if I had escaped a possible demise by living in Irag and how desperate I'd be to keep that one feeling that bypassed all other's that I was still alive and I would do anything to keep it that way would'nt you, I do think some people did use him and then humilited him by openly harping on the money knowing they'd make it back many times over...he was interesting he's honesty, kindess, and had self esteem that we all have or should.
I think he's owed compensation for the film, he sold it not anything else...I commend the rock actor he's what most america's think not... the self centered acto's or film maker's that really only cared about what they were doing on film or getting recognition but not really abut him....I did'nt have to guess what they thought they made they opionion and remark's
in verbal statement's that will last forever...the lady fim maker was insensitive and came across as I am a do gooder everyone and y'know sometime's I don't know why I'm so nice...even if I openly have to put him down to do it....he sold the fim pay up"""
I've never written to any web with my
opinion so where is he now"...
Had you interviewed a few Iraqi Americans prior to doing this film we would have warned you about the victim-control mentality which permeates the Arab world. When Arabs come from wealthy or educated backgrounds they are MORE likely to act as parasites, and demand what they think is their right...especially if their "status" has been disrupted. I could tell just from the tone of his mother's voice that he was not respected by her. If you knew how many family members I refuse to speak because of their narcissism and lack of self responsibility, you would understand what war and colonialism and hierarchy does to people's integrity.
I think you held on for too long because you felt sorry for this guy. How many people from other countries come to the states or other parts of the world and make it? They do whatever it takes to survive where ever they are. Muthana should have gotten a job to survive his every day to day expense. He is just spoiled brat, who's fault is that the parents. Hello you need to teach kids value. I got tired of listening that his life was in danger he should have thought of that in the begining.
This film or Docu-film has many teachings in its contents. Many which are reflected towards how we as individuals take from granted the many opportunities presented to us. As a viewer, you need to understand the protagonist of the story and place yourself in his shoes, but in other to do that you need an understanding of his background. You will also need to understand the filmmaker's side of the story and how she got trapped in this web of helping and sorriness.
Its very hard to rebuild someone mind. Sometimes they act on impulses or urges, and in this case dreams that can lead to a fantasy shocked by the reality of the world we live on. Its a good film and it goes beyond its purpose if you pay close attention to its contents and associate yourself in similar situation not to differently in our lives. It reflects in my mind like a kid in a candy store and then the candy runs out...someone please hand that child a "sorry blanket"
This film should have been title "What Dreams are made of"
It appears that Muthana's sponsors took him at his word whan he said that he wanted to be a film maker. It was taken for granted that he had some under-standing of the demands that would be made of him. From what the viewer saw, he was given a task without being assessed or mentored.(Sort of a sink or swim scenario)
I taught in the arts for 38 years in a variety of locations worldwide. Several assignments were in places where women had,traditionally,had a limited social and political influence. I encountered many young men who expected to be graded on their charm and apparent potential. I graded on the work submitted or performed. Muthana reminds me so much of the young men I have taught over the years. They want what they want but they think it should 'just happen' and that others are there to facilitate their success.
They are reticent to plan or lift a finger toward their foggy goals but quick to blame others or 'bad luck' if things do not go the way they hoped. They are quite impressed with their own mediocrity.
In the film, I noticed Muthana congratulated himself on getting out of his neighborhood in Iraq."...nobody has done what I have done...". I agree with previous writers. This young man needed a 'reality check' and firm guidelines before he ever got on a plane. He came from being coddled and praised and chauffered to what he considered, a difficult position. His friends, filmed still in Iraq, had the similar vague criticisms of their situation. While the war is terrible, I believe that it gives them a convenient 'out' for their lack of ingenuity. A little 'growing up' is in order. Muthana is no longer a 'big frog' in the neighborhood 'pond'.
Perhaps he will 'get it' and be able to progress toward accepting responsibility and realizing his dream.
VAL
I just caught this doc. last night and I have read many of the previous comments.I like most of you thought Muthana was a man looking for a free ride and who among us wouldn't do the same if offered the chance. I am not a religious person but I do recall "If you give a man a fish , he will eat for a day but if you TEACH him how to fish......" We expect if we throw money at something or someone a magical thing will happen, when what is really needed is acceptance and a willingness to learn.
My opinion of Muthana is he's a very likable person, but he was also a bullshit artist. I had a problem understanding why he was being given so many second chances, and what potential people kept seeing in him. I wish I'm will.
The film was very good. It is an example of good intentions, and how people can waste opportunity.
I really liked when Muthana said he liked Bush, and how the Americans could not understant that. That was one scene where I respected Muthana as being real.
The gap between our dreams and achievement is very big, it's nice that people try to build bridges to cross it.
Nina,
In my opinion the real documentary here is not the subject matter of Muthana and his dreams, it's about you and your frustrated dreams and an unhealthy desire to finish what you started. What I started to suspect during the documentary was completely realized when you gave your very revealing comments at the very end. Your ending words that Muthana was a “Sad Story” that you must plan an “Exit Strategy from” were obviously designed as summation to the jury of how Muthana should be sentenced. Those words were designed no doubt as a reference to America’s quagmire of involvement with the Iraq war. How unfair to compare this young artist to such an issue just because you are frustrated and upset. My interpretation of your film is that you did not get the documentary you were hoping for (not Muthana’s problem). This was in your world due in fact to the actions of Muthana. Because your documentary was going south and married with the fact that he obviously insulted your sense of decency and manners, you became angered, incensed and struck out against Muthana’s character and motivations with your dialog and film edits. I won’t say it’s wrong that you chose to focus on a young man’s anguish, embarrassing acts and personality faults as this is something we all can relate to. I do believe these events were well suited to your increasingly focused anger towards Muthana. I’m guessing that if Muthana’s natural character was that of a sweet, unassuming, metro-sexual, boy bander you would have toasted him at the end of your documentary. Unfortunately for Muthana, his personality is similar in spirit to most super achievers and exceptionally smart/gifted people. This personality type by most people’s standards is perhaps a bit abrasive and lacks a certain grace. But this is a trade off to the more important gift that such a small part of humanity has, which is that he can imagine what is possible and then make it his reality. My instincts are that you, much like the peers of Mozart, were jealous of Muthana’s possessed personality, natural talent and gifts. I hope you will read this and grow up a bit.
Bryan
I grew up beaten by both of my parents and sexual abuse. I was on my own at 16. My grandmother and mother came over during WWII. Multana didn't convince me that he had any real love or talent for film-making. He's spoiled, arrogant with the thought of entitlement. Out to get what he could for free. He felt he was above many of the chores he couldn't survive what I went through. The jobs I had to take. I'm disabled now with severe back and neck problems. I have a 20 year old son who's in college and if he was given this great opportunity he would never squander it. Even his roommate at the film school in England felt he was wasting an awsome opportunity and stated so. I think a lot of the problems the filmmakers had with him were a result of his feeling of entitlement and ego what can I get from these stupid Americana's. As for pride as he said was his problem it wasn't pride but pure laziness - he knew what would be expected if what he said was true that he went to that film school.
As for his family urging him not to go back, They knew how to milk the cow and with one here the others are not far behind. Nina's instincts are correct; Multana is quite ready to use and exploit anyone and any situation he encounters Grow up, Multana stop thinking your special. If the film company treated you so badly go home! Where you can look for your next free meal you will always be looking for the next money cow moving from opportunity to opportunity and not committing or finishing anything. He doesn't want to work let alone hard work or have anyone tell him what his work is especially from a female. But he's gotten what he wanted in the first place a FREE RIDE
I love this documentary. Why? Because it unravels the psyche of middle class industrial nations toward people from developing nations. Which is very patronizing. They mistakenly think just because a country is poor, being invaded, or under occupation that everyone in that country is a poor and penniless person waiting for people from the industrialized nations to rescue them. Undoubtedly some need help, but not all.
Muthana is not a likable character, I will give his critics that, but neither are the people that he comes in contact with save his roommate (immigrant, this is important). Muthana comes from a rich family with a patriach that is well connected, presumably in the Ba'ath party. He says that he comes from a middle class family; middle class by American standards, rich by Iraqi standards. He isn't super rich, but I suspect that in attitude and outlook his life isn't all that different from the people you see on shows like The Hills. Meaning that these are people who grew up in the lap of luxury and fame and aspire to lead life concomitant with what they see in film, movies, and on television. Muthana for all effects and purpose is no different from the kids from The Hills.
Does this make him a person not worthy of kindness? NO! What it does make him is a person that should not be patronized by people he views as equals; socially and otherwise. Hence, his immense pride. Middle class people in America tend to look, no matter their intents, patronizingly on foreigners, especially from countries that they little understand and know. They think that people from said countries are primitive, poor, and child like. Unfortunately, the people that tend to emigrate to the states are people from solidly middle class backgrounds, highly educated, and immensely prideful. And Muthana had all of these qualities in spade.
What happened on the set of Everything is Illuminated and Doom is that not one person nor Muthana knew exactly how to deal with one another. The filmmakers' own prejudicial assumption about foreigners is what ultimately derail their expectations. They think: Ok, we will bring in this "poor Iraqi" and he will know what to do from day one to be on his way to become a success, That he will work menial jobs like all immigrants, be subordinate and respectful, and most of all be grateful for our generosity. Muthana had his own expectations too. He is a sheltered and protected Iraqi kid who expects a middle class life no matter where he is. He isn't world weary nor is he world wise. No wonder he is prideful and scornful at his gofer role. He thought, as you all well know, that he was being given is true break, rather than being use as a pill to sooth the liberal pangs of Liev Schrieber aggravated by Bush's criminally idiotic war.
Muthana is immature, that is without doubt. But he is also naive. He didn't know the process of how to stay or emigrate from the czech republic, save, swallow his pride, or even the gravity of America's invasion of Iraq. And living in a bubble that is a Hollywood film set prevented those realities from setting in. He can't go back home again and he can't stay. Muthana would have benefited greatly from befriending other immigrants with first hand experience of how to survive in a foreign and strange country. Sure he asks for money a lot. But instead of just giving it to him like it will solve all his problem, one of the filmmakers should have sat down with Muthana, explain the gravity of his situation to him, tell him that he needs to swallow his pride and start literally from scratch, and finally point out to him the process to which he can lead a sustainable life while fulfilling his dream.
The filmmakers were exploitative enablers who give him money hoping that he will go away when it was they that brought him over to soothe their liberals pangs without any plans as to what to do with him concretely laid out(long sentence I know but bare with me). It wasn't until he got to the film school in london and living with an actual immigrant from an equally *beep* part of the world that the reality of his situation start to dawn on him. I have no doubt that Muthana will thrive and survive once he is out of the bubble of hollywood and around people that have to live in a day by day world. His roommate will no doubt help him more than what Liev, The Rock, and the docu-idiots put together. The biggest thing they did for Muthana is steering him into the path of said roommate because it is he that will teach him how to survive and live in a foreign land.
To those saying that Muthana is an ingrate and an ungrateful moocher, well I say that you hold those views only because you think that anyone from a developing country is so poor that they should be grateful for even having the opportunity to live in an industrialized country without long term plans.
One of the most interesting films I've seen in awhile but it reinforces my opinion of the war, contrary to the film-makers intentions. A good example of how liberal ideals clash with reality. We must all learn to work for what we have, not ask for hand outs. It leaves us without appreciation, lowers our character and makes us lazy and complacent. Of course, one might argue that in this particular case Muthana who came from a well off family, just didn't have a decent work ethic. One also might debate that the part of Islam which puts women lower than men, gave Muthana an arrogant and demanding attitude. BTW, where are the films showing Iraq’s democratic success right now?
Muthana came across as a lazy, spoiled con man. He even succeeded in conning The Rock. He'll continue to con every guilt-ridden bleeding heart he encounters. Eventually, he'll end up on the dole in GB. He's only "passionate" about Muthana.
At first I felt sorry for Muthana. A guy who daily witnessed the horrors of war was swept away to another country to mix tofu trailmix for Hollywood Jew Millionaire artsey types. He felt like he didn't fit in, and I was really sad for him for a while. But later it became apparent that he didn't really want to work hard to try to try to help himself. I think some people tried to give him tough love and others were enablers to him. How he got so beat down on his luck and situation is up to long debate.
He is one of those guys who won't outright ask for help, but guilt-trips people into feeling obligated to help him...as I feel the filmmaker herself struggled with. I do agree that this film is an interesting metaphor for what happend (and is still happening) after the US invaded Iraq. We were dissapointed that the iraqi people weren't more grateful, and now that we've turned the country upside down they hate us, yet can't quite fly on their own either.
Muthana was picked by MTV/Liev and his personal gratificationist gang for the same reason that Bush and gang picked Chalabi, because both Chalabi/Muthana had charisma and easily pulled the wools over their eyes. They were lead to believe that Chalabi/Muthana could fulfill 'their' task, whether it was to be their puppet on strings or gofer running errands.
Of course if it was not Chalabi/Muthana, it would have been someone else because they all want justfications for self gratification, and anyone that fits their, whether that person is an opportunist or just a passer by. Look at Vietnam and the creation of Ngo Dinh Diem, Iran and the Shah and Afghanistan and Hamid Karzai.
I disagree with what was posted by Tamara. She felt that the movie had nothing to go with what is going on in Iraq. But I think it perfectly explains the situation.
The producer was very much like Bush by getting into a situation, by getting Muthana out of Iraq, without thinking about what will happen when his internship is over. Just like Bush didn't think about what would happen after we bring down Saddam.
The flimmaker is just like America now. She felt as if she was responsible for Muthana's well being, but wanted him to take care of himself. Just like America doesn't want to leave Iraq in ruin, but we feel that we need to leave none the less.
I've read about ten or so comments above and I'd have to say that it really seems Muthana was picked -- by MTV, by Liev Schreiber, and by Davenport -- for his charisma, good looks, and screen presence, not for his innate commitment and dedication to filmmaking. He has the looks and the ego of an actor, and should probably ideally be doing that, as several people have pointed out.
If the filmmakers had really wanted an Iraqi who would really grab onto this fimmaking opportunity and run with it no matter what, they would have carefully interviewed and screened their candidates. Ideally, and almost undoubtedly, they would have chosen that very somber but clearly determined fellow (his last words were about hating to hate) who sent in a tape to Muthana. THAT was a dedicated filmmaker and director. Muthana seems very much more a pride-driven actor, showman, and prima donna.
I wish him well, and I don't think the communication or understanding was great on either side of the cultural divide, but my sense is that a better recipient for this opportunity would have been the serious filmmaker, not the charismatic pretty boy.
I think that this boy was arrogant and acted spoiled. He came from a middle class family or better and his mother paved the way for his life so he could do whatever he wanted which was to go to school and then mess around with his friends in Iraq. His father paid the bills. Then tragedy struck his country. He was not equipped to take on full responsibility and had way too much pride. He constantly begged others to help him and didn't plan enough ahead for himself.
Hey, in life, sometimes we have to do jobs we don't want to do and that includes mixing peanuts for others and handing out coffees with a smile. We all have to eat it sometimes if we want to succeed. Willingness to do whatever it takes (however menial) is the kind of thing that will get you ahead. Because it shows a willingness to work hard whatever it takes while having a fabulous attitude about it. Many of us Americans don't have degrees and had to earn our way to success thru doing alot of things we didn't plan on doing. But doing it well and with a positive attitude most of the time, has allowed those same people to finally have great careers with decent incomes. THAT'S the American way.
It seemed like Muthana was lazy. Did he ever have a job? When he was in England all he did was complain about not having money. Did he ever get a job to support himself while there? People would die for a chance to work in the film industry and all he did was complain. He blew it if you ask me.
BORING.BORING.BORING...Couldn't finish watching it. M. was just another deceitful and not too bright trickster, would be hustler who wanted something for nothing. He needs to be kicked out of Britain and sent back to Iraq pronto.
My 12 year old son and I watched this documentary together and we both were amazed at how arrogant the Americans (with exception of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) were regarding their expectations of Muthana.
As Americans, we take for granted that everyone will accept the ridiculous "opportunities" found in making coffee, mixing nuts and looking for Tofu in a foreign country as part of the "directing internship" for a budding young filmmaker. The gag reel was the closest thing to actual directing/producing that Muthana had and then they only gave him 48 hours (and little guidance) in which to complete the task. The lack of cultural understanding--especially the condescending attitudes of Liev Schieber and Peter ?? (producer) after Muthana said he loved George Bush--was especially disturbing to me. In our left of liberal household, my son picked up on that change in tone immediately. I've always tried to teach him to not judge people just because they have a different viewpoint than you and this lesson became all the more clear by viewing this documentary.
Interesting, educational stuff--though not necessarily in a good way.
This documentary was fascinating. At first I didn't want to watch it because I felt that Muthana was a spoiled loser. It was obvious that, starting with Liev, everyone was guilted into enabling this "poor guy from Iraq" and that, in return, Muthana was entirely and unabashedly ungrateful. He clearly came from a wealthy, or at least privildged family in Iraq (how else could he ever be in film school?)
His film school was bombed and we're supposed to feel sorry for him? You're kidding, right?!? I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but it bothered me soooo much that Muthana got such incredible assistance and forgiveness from so many people--again and again-- and he just constantly threw it back in their faces.
I found it fitting and way too funny that the big hollywood types could not just tell Muthana to go to hell! It was like he was the CEO's brat son who inerns at his Dad's company and no one can tell him to go to hell! HA! They kept trying to be all diplomatic when trying to talk to Muthana, but they knew they were on camera and they knew he was the "poor film student from Iraq". HA!! In real life, they would have just thrown his ass on the street the first time he didn't deliver the tofu-trail mix on time!
To me, this story did not tell any story of Iraq AT ALL. And it didn't really delve into cultural differences either (although I am not well versed on Iraqi culture). This film was, however, a story of human nature to the core; unapologetic, at their best, average, worst, and most certainly at their ugliest.
This story is so similar to a relationship I found myself in during the last few years. In my case it was a young man who had served 9 yrs in a state penitentiary. He gave testimony in court on my behalf in a case in which I'd been the victim of an attempted murder. I was so grateful to him, as well as being a bleeding heart liberal, that I felt I owed him big time. To make a long story short, let's just say that he and Muthana could be brothers. As a result of my gratitude, white guilt and his never ending requests for financial assistance, my relationship with him was very, very similar to that of Nina and Muthana's. Although my protege was not from war-torn Iraq, he was a young black man with no education and a horrible childhood. The similarity between the two men beg the question whether his terrible life turned him into a charming con artist as a survival tactic, or was he just a spoiled brat who wanted everything handed to him? The fact that Nina Davenport's protagonist exhibits such similar behavior doesn't necessarily answer this for me, but it is certainly an existential question. Probably the most telling and predictive moment in the film was early on when Muthana arrives at his Prague apartment and says that he's never had to wash his own clothes or make food for himself because his mother babied him. Had Muthana been 16, it wouldn't have seemed so unusual, but he was 25! I will also add that I have been to Muslim countries and what I found most appalling was not the third world deprivation, but that the women appear to do all the work while the men can be found at any time of the day or night sitting in cafes drinking tea. I confess that in the end I come away from this film, and my own experience, with some suspicion that Muthana's lack of work ethic and sense of entitlement was less a result of the war, and more a result of his upbringing and personality.
There are so many earnest young folks - Iraqi, U.S., Serbian, Chinese, Cuban, Somalian, you name it - who would have cherished the opportunity to parlay such a gift into being an accomplished prop master or location manager. And I do mean educated and steeped film aficionados -true professionals who would kneel at the throne of directorship. My God, how many are grateful to have gained the approbation of being a working line producer at a minor market TV outlet. And they tediously earned it - in every corner of this scorched planet.
How would he have fared as grip for someone like John Root. What gives? This embarrassing exercise as an honorific to an Iraqi subjective does disservice to so many deserving Iraqi artists who would have accepted gladly the role of taxi driver in NYC, in order to complete the dream [in any part in the world] of legitimate film production. Did you wish to exploit the thin talents of a young con a rtist? That was done well. Why did you not offer him an internship in any major market and a referral to cheap housing like anyone else? He would have had the same lovely chance at hard scrabble that make it all so worthwhile to so many deserving students of life.
I just finished viewing your program about the young Iraqi student and was about to go to bed, but couldn't.
I am outraged by this young man. And, I must admit, by those who continue to enable this con artist.
My son is 17 and applying to college. He is an honor student with a 4.0 average. He acheived impressive SAT/ACT scores and could go into any number of lucrative careers. Instead, he has decided to pursue film. I had hoped he would pursue Engineering or Medicine, but am supporting his passion for Film. With his GPA he would have no problem winning scholarships for any number of academic majors. However, in Film, there is considerably less opportunity, even for a gifted student. It has even been difficult to learn where to educate himself in this field.
My point is, why continue to give this young man such wonderful opportunities when there are worthier, and hungrier candidates right here? My son (and I am sure many others like him) would never squander the privleges lost on this young man. My heart literally ached (maybe with pangs of jealousy) seeing the talented people this man was put into contact with...knowing what my son would give to be in that position.
He has made his own film which he wrote, produced, filmed, scored and edited himself. He poured himself into that production spending countless hours editing...all while keeping up with his demanding school work. We premiered his film in our own home to an audience of all of his friends. It was an impressive film, and a glorious night for him.
All of the accolade this young man received was sickening. As were all of seemingly intelligent people that were so easily manipulated. I could not believe all of the people I saw choking up about his story!
Next time your looking for someone to shower opportunity on...no need to go to Iraq. I've got a kid who would devour any opportunity to work for or with such talented people...even to receive advice or guidance.
Your intentions were good, but next time you're so desperate to help...h elp someone who will appreciate your help!
Sincerely, Susan Kasnic
there is a period of time after two people from different cultures meet in which both must drop there stereotype images and come into contact with the reality of those cultures.i did not see this here.
Legal formalities and detailed planing on our carear goals make up a great deal of our western culture. In short, Davenport expected Muthana to already now the ropes and etiquette of the the film-making industry and the american culture before he even started the documentary. She expected to much from him Muthana most likely expected to find people belonging to a nation of ambivalent tycoons to whom money was not an object. that's based on the perceptions i observed while living in other countrys (due large currency ratios between the USD and the lesser local currency).
Muthana came only with hope and no real experience, he knew he wanted something but did not know how to obtain it. Muthana planed on going abroad and becoming a filmmaker. so why would he seemingly betray his dream job to find an inferior substitute job? he got an Iraqi-filmmakers winning lottery ticket, why would he than trade it in for a losing one? After all that he received, for him to abandon his dream he would not only be betraying himself; but also all his fellow citizens who did not recieve such an opportunity.
In Muthana's eyes davenport was get was getting rich off from Muthana's life - even endangering it. An Iraqi national, working with Americans, on a movie parsing Israeli's, you might as well draw a bulls eye on his chest! But he took this risk, and did not despise Davenport for taking advantage of him. in return Davenport mocks him in a scene for needing money.
This documentary had grate potential but due to the dis-resolve of a filmmaker, who did not successfully cross the cultural divide, this project was doomed for failure. If this is a metaphor of the Iraqi war i can only hope that the new administration does not also discard such human potential.
I truly enjoyed the film. It was emotional, but at the same time it angered me because Muthana took advantage of so many people. How could he do that? I guess he was trying to survive in an enviornment foreign to his own.
The comment at the end of the film inplied that Nina was still supporting him, I hope she isn't.
I think this should be shown in film studies seminars to demonstrate why a filmmaker needs to maintain objectivity. Lending money to your subject violates every rule and caused Davenport to take a biased view of Muthana. Poor planning on everyone's part--not just Muthana's.
I was very disappointed by the way this boy treated you, the filmmaker and all the people that helped him. Very few people ever get a chance like he did, even people from "developed" countries. He is an ingrate that gave a bad name to Iraqis with his behavior. Just because he came from a war-torn country does not mean he has sufferred and deserves help: anyone who has really suffered in life would never act the way this boy has acted. I wish you had not wasted this much time and effort (not to mention money) on a bad apple and instead helped someone who really deserves it. Do not let your American guilt and idnorance cloud your judgement in the future.
I think that as Americans we forget that Muthana's background in war a chaos since birth would make it difficult to speak and express himself to others. It seems the American film makers wanted him to conform and become what they wanted in an instant. They didn't realize the conflicts he had to endure throughout his life. I also believe that he did earn every penny of what he received and should have received more. He did the documentary. He was working every second of every day that camera was in his face. That was his job at that time. For the film makers to think otherwise is just their greediness to make a film, make money the cheapest way possible no matter whose lives it destroys. I hope Muthana is doing well and hope he is successful.
This was such a sobering look at cultural and class assumptions. I'm so glad I happened to catch it on WNET the other night.
I loved this documentary, it has been awhile that I saw something interesting on TV!!!! I could sympathize with everyone... with Muthana...with the producers...with the filmaker ...... everyone was right from their side of point of view...Muthana came off as lazy and didn't live up to peoples expectations, but also it was a huge change for him and he just didn't know how to handle it well.
It's peculiar how Muthana's tale of woe has paralleled Iraq's saga during the war. Davenport kept trying to find some kind of conclusion, some happy ending and, ultimately found little. Likewise, in Iraq, the U.S. seems to reach for some kind of closure and can't find it. Perhaps that failure in Iraq is related in some way to Muthana's underlying motive... he expects a handout and does not seek the guidance necessary to come up into his full potential.
The film was compelling--difficult to watch and yet very intriguing, like watching an happen. In this work, the virtuous morays of hard work, initiative and self-determination were more clearly highlighted than in any other documentary that I've ever seen.
Kudos to the Davenport for staying with this, for coming up with the labor and tears to produce it.
As soon as we met Muthana's African roommate, I wanted to follow his story instead because I was so tired of Muthana's unwillingness to work for what he supposedly wanted.
Muthana is so obviously an actor. He was picked for his screen presence and charm, not for his filmmaking ability. Why didn't someone steer him in that direction, where he would have found success by now? I have to believe the answer is that it would have disrupted the making of the documentary. No wonder he wanted to be paid!
The most disturbing part of the film, to me, was the filmmakers' cultural ignorance. They expected the young man to display "good old American get up and go" from his first day on the job, and seemed not to understand that people from every country are not alike in our training, perceptions and behaviors. Had any of them been plucked from home as young adults, plopped down in Bagdhad (even in peace time,) expected to fit in with the culture and make their own way in a few months' time, they'd have floundered, too.
Intriguing film. A very prideful young man. It is interesting to note that as an Iraqi man, his mother did everything for him. When it came time for him to do things for himself, he was not motivated. Always wanting someone else to do it for him, like his mother. Muthana had rare opportunities here to make something of himself and yet we get the sense that he doesn't really care. When he is ready to be a man and stand on his own two feet, things will change for the better for him. I wish him luck.
I wonder if the visas Muthana held (in Prague and London) allowed him to do any kind of work. Some student visas allow one to take up only on campus jobs(which are limited in number). If it was purely his choice not to work, it was a poor one.
Kudos to the Rock for helping someone achieve his dream. I hope Muthana matures and makes movies that inspire the Iraqi public.
Do not expect a young man from a strict, fundamentalist, war-torn country to magically assimilate into American culture, especially when his main environment after arrival is the unreal world of Hollywood. It doesn't matter that he was from a "middle-class" family in Iraq... the rest of the world is nothing like America. It is very tough to live in a place which is so unlike your birth-country.
Questions for the director: Why did you not create a contract from the very beginning and why did you not agree on a fixed amount to pay him for giving up his privacy?
The initial invitation was generous and noble - but those who invited him behaved with shocking arrogance and ignorance toward him - behaving as if they have no clue about where he was really coming from - not only the huge cultural differences - but the fact that he was not independent, or raised to be independent. You were completely treating him with unrealistic American competitive values and expectations.
His training, guidance, and treatment were completely inadequate. You (those who first invited him) mistreated, and humiliated him initially.
Just so sad - to see a noble gesture destroyed with short-sighted arrogance and ignorance. If you are going to help people - truly help them. Have a more in-depth view about reality.
Was Muthana treated differently by the people he encountered in the film because he was from a war-torn country? If so, how?
Only able to comment on what I was able to see and from that I would say that he was an enigma to those around him…for about 10 minutes that is…then most of cast and crew dismissed him as a bad idea. All those making the film were working on a film, each one with their assignments and their own concerns and challenges to deal with. Muthana was not their responsibility.
The gentleman who invited Muthana had good intentions but ended up looking like the kid who after seeing the movie “Benji”, talks his parents into buying a puppy, then 1 month later looses interest in the puppy and someone else has to take care of him…grant it Muthana was not potty trained and he did have issues …but could the guy have gotten a little more training… On the other hand…MUTHANA…it is too bad you did not have a little more wisdom…but wisdom is not usually the possession of the young.
Muthana… I do not really know who you are, I was given a Polaroid of your life and you were not holding the camera when the picture was taken. From the picture I was handed…from one human to another… I say to you, work more on giving and work less on taking. You will in turn have more to give. This could translate well in your career as a filmmaker. You will connect with people and your people will tell your stories for you.
Here are a few profound questions to ponder… Where do we come from? Why are we here? and Where are we going? Get outside yourself, step back and try to look beyond what you see… look to what was, what is and what will be.
The Truth is out there Muthana… it is not relative…it is absolute.
I dislike the illusion of television and films…but do appreciate thoughtful programming and filmmaking.
That platform from which these voices spring are few and farther between each and every second that passes.
Maybe you will be holding the independent lens some day and your voice and the voices around you will be heard. What they will have to say will more than likely be a collection of your experiences in life. Make the most of those experiences by giving and not taking.
I hope to shake your hand some day and call you my brother…in a world much different from the one we both live in now. This new world will not be divided by ideologies, man – made bounderies, endless religious divisions…but will be a peaceful planet bound by a Theocracy that is founded on love of our Creator and love for mankind.
Your fellow human being…Nick
What became of him?
Editors note: An update can be found at >>
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/operationfilmmaker/film.html
Watching this film was eerily familiar. At my university, we have a sister school in St. Petersburg that offers full ride scholarships for three string players to come to study for their graduate degree. Two of these students, one of whom did not know any English before attending my school, worked and accomplished all that could be hope for in a three year period. However, the third student's path did not go so smoothly. It was painful to watch this very talented musician come to the US and proceed to take advantage of almost every relationship forged by goodwill and friendship. By the third year, he had stopped practicing, studying, and socializing with former friends. He instead used most of his energy getting drunk and sleeping all day. His recital was the final kick in the face to those of us who helped him from the day he had arrived. I went to Russia and visited his teacher who showed us a video of him playing from before his trip to the US, and seeing how amazing he sounded then made me so angry. Since their graduation, the other two are working musicians, while he is working odd jobs, and seems to have no passion left for music. Many of us wondered why he had been allowed to pass, and part of me sensed in them the sheer exhaustion that this filmmaker must have felt to an extreme. It is sad that there are people who are so willing to use the compassion of others.
As Americans we cling to the notion that if someone wants something badly enough they will eventually achieve their goals. The fact of the matter is that this notion is false. Muthana did not have the educational background, the monetary support, the latent genuis or the maturity to be the great director we expected him to become. Even if it was his goal to be a great director he never had the tools to make it into a reality. The viewer becomes progressively more irate at him for his lack of motivation as well as his passive-aggressive nature because we demand that he succeeds at his task. If he did suceed it would have re-affirmed our world view that we are a good and benevolent people who lift people out of distress. Ms. Davenport keeps giving him money because if he fails, then her world view must have been wrong. His failure reveals that our good intentions are not enough to make a meaningful difference in the world. This realization makes us angry at ourselves, but its easier to direct it at him.
Muthana's goal was never become a great director-his goal was to do anything possible to avoid going back to a very frightening place. If you view the movie in this light his motives and actions make a little more sense. He really doesn't care about fixing a snack of mixed nuts for his vegan Hollywood directors-he just needs an extension on his passport. In reality, it must have been torture for a person to come out of hell on earth and then, for an instant, to be an adolescent in Prague only to be asked to go back to a place where murder and torture is a way of life. He lived in a repressive Muslim country for his whole life-maybe going out to a party, and enjoying life for a moment, was more valuable to his life experience than editing a irrelevant gag reel. Going to a party at another time might not have been an option for him. Would you go back to hell with a smile on your face after a two month internship mixing snacks for vegan Hollywood directors?
Muthana was an adolescent boy who was trying to survive-he was frightened about having to go back to Iraq. His career, understandably, was less important to him than survival. I think that any boy in his position would have acted similarly. He took advantage of those close to him because put in that situation any of us would. If you or a friend had to live, and possibly die, in Baghdad for a year-which would you choose? We disliked Muthana because he was cowardly and raw-and we disliked this about ourselves, and thus we disliked him.
It is true that Muthana was selfish, passive-aggressive, manipulative and lazy but I think this movie says a bit more about human nature and our world view as Americans.
Davenport has done a wonderful job of exploring the complexities of "helping" others.
There is that sense of fulfillment that comes from saying that we have helped to "better the life" of another individual, and I think that a few people in this documentary felt as though some good publicity wouldn't go past a couple of months.
What can you expect when you pull a 25 year old Iraqi out of his country?
What more can I say after seeing this film? Muthana is the biggest manipulator I have ever seen. People say there was a cultural divide but I don't think so. There are horrible human beings in every culture and he just happened to be a ruthless and selfish one. I am amazed at the way he found a new angle every time to use a new person for all they were worth. I am also from a war torn country and moved to Canada when I was young but would never be as manpulative as he was to get what is needed. He is a disgrace to every young immigrant/refugee who have dignity and work incredibly hard to reach their goals and are thankful for any breaks they get.
I would kill to see how Muthana would cut together the raw footage of this documentary. I think it could be a very different tale.
This film was enthralling and captivating. The very idea of creating such a documentary was brilliant.
As for the subject matter, Muthana, he was not a great choice for the opportunity. It seemed like his friend should have been the one to have the opportunity. I like the way the film was edited with one part of his friend (the one that should have been picked for the opportunity)had those posters on the wall and what film really meant to him and then it was switched to Muthana's crib where he had pretty chicks on the wall. That said alot without using words.
I appreciate the comment of Amor :
"Did they check with his professors or any other references on his work ethic? Did anyone ever consider that he most likely never held a job considering the environment he grew up in?"
I think that is where the director that gave him the opportunity went wrong because Muthana said it himself that he was basically a spoiled brat. A 25 year old whose mother still washes his drawers. That's just crazy. How could one expect someone like that to survive anywhere? (to work) A person like that HAS to hit rock bottom to get the reality of life and what they have to do on their own to survive. Just like a drug addict without the drugs, everyone else including the film maker herself enabled him to be a lazy jacka**.
Liev may have done more good than he realizes because if he stayed back home, he would probably be living with his parents for a very long time without getting a job and being a spoiled brat having his mother wash his drawers till he found some idiot to marry him.
I hope that this man finally wakes up and realizes that it doesn't matter where you come from, being a lazy a** is not beneficial for any great opportunity. I hope his friends and family are okay. I also hope that with this film someone interviews his friend and gives him a good opportunity.
I thought this was the worst film I've ever seen on independent lens. I kept watching it hoping things would sort themselves out, but they kept getting worse. The low point - his stealing the equipment. Too bad there wasn't the "natural consequence" of calling the police. That would have been the end of Muthana's great adventure, but also the end of the documentary.
I live for 3 years in the Middle East. Muthana is a product of his culture and apparently feels entitled to every break he got (a lot of them), but he was completely unprepared to do anything for himself other than be an total opportunist. His proposed scenario for a movie about playing with dogs and then running off to a party was either completely lame or a metaphor for what he felt was happening to him.
It's hard for me to see why this was an award winning documentary. I give credit to the people who attempted this, but the situation was apparently completely beyond them as well beyond Muthana.
He reminded me of many young Middle Eastern men I came into contact with: sly manipulators. He is young but seemed clueless and completely lacking in depth or personal reflection, to say nothing of ambition or common sense. He fulfilled his role as a screen onto which the film makers projected their ideas of what he was and what he should be (do, etc) and he went along for the ride... except at the end, when he did not like the image of himself that was documented (user and abuser) and projected back to him.
I, too, feel Muthana was given the opportunity of a lifetime which was completely wasted on him. Too bad another more likely candidate was not chosen. Surely he did not have the "life skills" to act as a mature person and make some effort on his own behalf. Still he was not a child but continued to act like one.
What a shame so much film, time, money and effort was wasted on someone who for all practical purposes one of of the least deserving people I could immagine.
As for awards - best depiction of ennui.
Muthana, if you read this, I hope you have grown up in the past 3 years, have taken some responsibility for yourself, shown true gratitude to your benefactors and have learned to do something for yourself.
I watched the film and was deeply moved by the compassion that made Liev reach out to Muthana. But like most westerners, we think by doing an act of kindness, no matter how big or small, that we've enriched that persons life forever. Don't get me wrong, it was a good thing the producers and filmmakers did, but the truth is people fight hard to get to our country for many reasons and a major reason is education.
I could not agree more with Muthana, that if you brought him there to let him experience the making of a film, then why was a woman teaching him how to mix snacks important?! It was almost insulting! You want to educate him on food and how to be a gofer but not on, "Hey, you've got a visa for these amount of months, let's get working on how you can get into maybe staying with us and earning an income as a part of the crew while you learn everything there is to know about filming?
You can maybe save the rest of your family and maybe afford to help rebuild your country one day, no promises, but maybe?!" Duh, that was a "no brainer" to the majority of viewers; especially after seeing the tapes of his friends and family telling him not to come back.
I think he needed an advocate/adviser as soon as he stepped foot in Prague and he would've known that going to the party was out of the question until his editing job was pretty much done. Teach him to earn is keep instead of being irritated at his begging for money. Him asking The Rock for money should have never come about because his "experience givers" should have been his "brothers" and guided him completely.
Muthana was like a baby; his entire life was reborn when he entered Liev's world. I want Liev and the team to know that what they did was good but helping him come full circle would have been great, not only for Muthana but for them as well.
Muthana got disrespectful and belligerent towards the end, but if you back someone into a corner, they're going to start swinging. So I understood Muthana's fustration and anger, but I don't condone how he handled his emotions. He again became desperate, like the many people of his war torn country and desperation fuels us in many different ways.
We Americans, always want things done "our" way, but just maybe we need to do things correctly; compromise an agreement beforehand and maybe there would be good news about a completely awed Muthana of our westernized compassion...it's not too late.
I love watching Independent Lens. I saw this documentary and I think Nina Davenport did a nice job. Please don't think for a minute I'm biased just becaused I'm by acknowledging her work. I respect both Nina and Muthana for accepting to be a part of this film. Muthana has the desire to be a great filmmaker and I respect that, but he needs to appreciate the opportunity that is being given to him for getting closer to his dream. In my opinion, he has issues to "deal" with and set aside his "dilemas" he has with the rest of the world. Yes, he country he been through alot. He comes from a war ravaged land, it's not easy and I respect that too, but he doesn't have to take it out on Nina. And to ask for money after talking "trash" to Nina and a coward for keeping her equipment hostage. Very immature. Is is all about money? Muthana don't buy into the hype that the only only way to get ahead in America is to manipulate. I believe Muthana has the desire to be a filmmaker but I'm concerned about his motives.
Nina, be careful. I bet "The Rock" is thinking twice about supporting Muthana. I'm suprised he didn't see right throught him. Muthana's attitude changed. I hpe e tinks about how he had the opportunity to show what he can do without all the "issues" he may have underneath. Great film. Thank you PBS.
This film is excellent! I think when people extend a helping hand you want to like the person. In this film you really don't like Muthana. He is a spoiled con artist but he is a spoiled con artist from a war torn country. You have to understand his situation. He would do and say just about anything to keep from going back to Iraq. His London roommate said it best...Muthana thinks he is the only one with problems. Think about all the aspiring film student other countries in similar situation who will never get the same opportunity.
The thing I love most about the film is that the relationship between Muthana and Daveport becomes subject of the film which is completely unexpected but interesting at the same time. Excellent work!
Most of the people involved in the making of this film, either in front of the camera or behind it, seemed like really decent, good-natured people who really did mean well, and I choose to preface my commentary here with that statement for a very good reason, because I'm a conservative and have no bones about saying so, and found myself wondering about the order in which this film was shot after having first watched it.
As someone who studied filmmaking in college, including documentary filmmaking, I'm very aware of how deceptive and one-sided the camera can be depending on who's controlling it. (Take, for example, "Fahrenheit 9/11" as an exercise in dishonest filmmaking and deceit, nothing short of a typical Michael Moore propaganda film masquerading as a documentary.) I was wondering, frankly, about whether the Copy machine and snack-mixing incidents had occurred before or after Muthana revealed his "love" for George W. Bush.
What bothered me during and after having watched it initially was that in spite of the people involved in front of the camera who had no qualms about spelling out their political leanings (which didn't surprise me at all by the way) was my wondering to what extent Muthana's stating his view of Bush hurt his "standing" with this group of people early on and his ability to succeed. Did he find himself shunned, with the people around him then not wanting him to succeed because of his political view of the war effort and the sitting president? It's no secret that those who work in the filmmaking business are overwhelmingly liberal, and demonstrate very little in the way of tolerance for opposing political views.
Then I watched the first forty minutes of it again the following night when I taped its last showing for someone who hadn't seen it, and it was even more obvious to me than it was the day before what a manipulator Muthana is as a person, which is why I take issue with this nonsense about this having been "a cultural experiment gone wrong." Give me a break --there are people like this who live in America, and attempt to use and get over on people in exactly the same way, whether they be friends, family, or people they don't even know at all. This has nothing to do with a "clash of cultures," it's about human nature, pure and simple.
The Boston Globe stated that all parties involved in this film ended up looking bad on camera, and I can't go along with that. Liev struck me as being very decent and earnest in stating how he felt and why he decided to bring Muthana in on his film as an intern, and what was his "thanks"? Having his Jewish heritage and the fact that it was an American film that was being worked repeatedly brought up by Muthana as a reason for the people back in his country to want to kill him supposedly were he to go back there. Liev knew he was being manipulated, and so did Peter Saraf, the producer (although not of this film I don't believe) and frankly, they just didn't like it, and for darn good reason obviously. Muthana seemed unappreciative about everything that was done for him and showed virtually no initiative whatsoever, all the while moaning about wanting to become a filmmaker supposedly.
When he asked Liev and Peter for the camera , just think of what would have very likely happened with it had both men agreed to give him one: he'd have sold it in short order, claiming he had no choice because he was so strapped for cash and desperate (and then he would have whined endlessly about having had to sell the camera to boot). I think Peter and Liev knew this, which was probably in part why they were reluctant to go ahead and give it to him. And was their request to see a partial script before agreeing to do it so 'unreasonable'? Where was this partial script that they asked for? Well, Muthana never bothered to produce it --not even a summary draft.
As for the coverage of the war, which is another matter in itself that quite frankly really bothered me, I noticed in the End Credits that this film was completed in 2007, which would mean that it's gone unshown, on television at least, for at least a year, perhaps longer, and Nina Davenport was clearly intent on showing the war effort in the most unfavorable light possible throughout. The Boston Globe referred to her "honesty" for implicating herself in the shortfalls of what is taking place here in this film, but her "honesty" with respect to the war was very jaded and one-sided in my opinion; every news story was negative and obsessed with carnage and gore. But there has also been major progress in Iraq, and it started showing itself during 2007 following the surge, and if Davenport were truly "honest" on all sides she would have focused on some of the progress that was been made over there as well. There wasn't one news story about the infrastructure being rebuilt, or the government taking shape and beginning to stand on its own with less of our help, or of developments on the more local level, such as with hospitals or schools being built, or rebuilt as in the case of Muthana's school. Oh, granted, there was a brief, passing mention of the preparation for the Film School that Muthana attended to be rebuilt by one of his friends near the very end, although it isn't shown in any way, and in fact what is shown is the remaining rubble only. That's incredibly sad, because liberating the Iraqi people and enabling them to know what it's like to experience the taste of freedom has come at great cost to the United States, and at least Muthana, for all his flaws, was able to recognize that much.
"The most compelling part of the film is the close-up scene near the end of the movie as he attempts to explain himself to the filmmaker and says, "I will make it because I am real..""
It seems some people missed the glorious irony in this last line of the movie. Muthana was a pathologically lying aspirant ACTOR, not a filmmaker, and he lied and scammed his way to a life of zero self-responsibility in the West. It's terribly unfortunate that he turned out to be this archetypal (think drama) greedy, irresponsible, lazy sleazebag that have been portrayed in more plays throughout history than any other common Middle Eastern character types.
I read through a lot of the comments here and there are some good points. Obviously Muthana comes from a drasticly different culture and expectations and work ethic are not going to be the same as here. the culture clashing was a huge aspect to this movie.
For those people who comment that he should have been repeatedly carried by the hand, at some point an individual has to show something. He didn't have a work ethic, tasks or jobs were beneath him, he didn't try to extend his Visa until it was about too late. He left himself no options and wanted others to continually bail him out. At some point the director and others involved with this whole deal have to scratch their heads. "Does he want this or not." If he showed initiative and he made an effort but continually failed he still would have had their support. Muthana, for whatever his reasons, chose not to do that and he continually lied or made up stories.
The director of the doc injecting herself into the story helped made this story work. I commend her on this doc and all that she tried to do for Muthana.
Multana didn't convince me that he had any real love or talent for film-making. He seemed like a spoiled adolescent who felt he was above many of the chores he was asked to do and even above having to make his own way in the world. I think a lot of the bad experiences the filmmakers had with him were a result of his defensiveness - he knew he didn't bring a lot to the table other than pride.
As an ESL teacher, I've been involved in situations like the one in the film. With his friends (and most likely his family too) urging him not to go back, he really is in an anxious situation. The danger for him in going back is real and the even if the danger were not there, he will go back to being just another guy in a war zone if he returns; no longer special and not able to use any of the skills he may have picked up in Operation Filmmaker. There are real grounds for sympathy. But Nina's instincts are correct; Multana is quite ready to use and exploit anyone and any situation he encounters ("I will be in danger because I worked with Jews and Americans.") - it's all about him and an investment in him brings no rewards for anyone else.
He needs to grow up, go through the school of hard knocks, find the thing he's really good at and really enjoys doing. He needs to stop being special. This can really only happen if he goes home but the situation is too dangerous to return to. No one can really take him under their wing because he will always be moving from opportunity to opportunity and not committed to finishing or accomplishing anything. He doesn't want to work that hard or have anyone close long enough to take his measure. Even without help, now that he is in the west, he will probably find a way to keep from being sent home and his benefactors shouldn't worry too much about him.
I'm sure that cultural factors are part of the problem - it would be hard to trust Americans after they bombed your country even if you love George Bush and in his heavenly trip to Prague I'm sure he encountered cultural differences that disturbed as well as delighted him. But his pride kept him from really opening up and learning about or trusting others.
Be careful when you attempt to play God.
Are you kidding me? Someone needs to wake this kid up! They need to tell him that the real world. He never wanted to grow up and realize that he needed to work for his own dreams and goals. He only wanted the world to fall into his lap. Ask yourself, when The Rock gave him the money to attend the London school, do you really think he truly deserved that money? It couldve gone to many other people more deserving that that. He is not only the villain, but he was annoying like no other person. The way I see it, if he complained about his struggle in life, ship him back to Iraq so he can see what struggle is really all about. I too have a hard time defending him. At first, I fell into the same trap feeling sympathy for the kid, but not getting a job out of "pride!" This kid went too far due to the documentary, in other words recieving his visas, a job, and a London education-all which he feels that HE worked for...but if it weren't for Liev, "The Rock," and the documentary, he would be doing nothing for himself. Movie was great, but I would love to see a sequel about Muthana learning about real life. Muthana makes me want to say "Muthaf'er!"
This was a really exciting but painful documentary to watch. From the start, there was such obvious great potential for this guy to succeed, and we keep waiting for him to take the initiative.
But whether it's arrogance, miscommunication, or culture shock that prevented him from being properly motivated to take advantage of those opportunities I think is hard to tell. Probably some combination. Perhaps the producers could have averted that situation by setting more clearly defined boundaries.
He may have seemed a victim of circumstance at first, and his needs for financial and visa assistance (I would hope) justified as part of the documentary budget. But what were the producers' goals really, did they not consider a contingency plan for the eventuality that Muthana would not want to go home? The guy is a refugee at least in their perspective.
The stay in Prague seemed overlong, and the help given to him reluctant, including the opp to help out with DOOM (great resume fodder there, serving coffee at one of the worst movies I've never seen!) but at least it was something, and even though it seemed begging he did win the charms of Rock at least and finally got the opportunity the film could have ended with - tuition to film school in London.
Now I think they should have realized he would keep asking for cash once he got to London. My god, what a gift... we're sending you to film school in one of the world's most expensive cities, with no money. Aren't there any film schools in slightly more affordable places?
But this could have been the perfect opportunity to end the film on a happy note. Before going to London they should have made this all clear. "We realize you have zero money, but hey your tuition and board are paid, and you have a visa. If this isn't obvious, that means you'll have to get a job. Your success or failure now is in your own hands."
Perhaps there was so much emotion involved that they could not make that cutoff, but emotional involvement is no excuse for failure to communicate. At any rate, a great way to get motivated to work hard is to need to do so to survive. He's probably correct in some of the danger in returning home. So now London for 5 years, can you get through school while working 30 hrs a week? I did, and though I almost failed out, I managed to finish and am successful now. Maybe film school won't work out, but you can try acting. At least your name is out there, for better or worse, the whole world now wants to know what becomes of you.
I just finished watching this documentary about Muthana and had a very strong emotional reaction.
I am currently in college studying art and web design and paying MY OWN WAY until this winter semester where I received my first little scholarship and that helps a lot. I worked my tail off getting my paperwork together, two letters of recommendation, my personal statement on why I wanted this education and my future plans. I only WISH I had a golden opportunity would fall into my lap and someone like The Rock would come along and hand me a free ride for a year! I would not waste opportunities like those.
Muthana is like some of the arabic men I have met at school, and may feel that menial work is beneath him,that it is woman's or maids work, And Muthana had a nice home life with everything being done for him and no responsibilities expected. Is he a first son? His constant grasping for free rides and money made me wonder if he just expected everything to be handed to him and done for him - including directing a big movie hit?
If I were given this gift of a golden opportunity, no matter where in the world, I would do everything to understand the culture I am immersed in and what is expected of me while there. I am not sure if these well meaning directors made it clear to him this was a working vacation.
I have known so many students from wore torn countries disrupting their daily lives yet they perservere here and do not give in to self pity. They are ecstatic to have a chance to go to a college in a stable country where they can get their dream realized. I go to school with many people from Africa and hear the tales of their countries and I am so happy I live in a calm giving country like the U.S.
I think Muthana at 24 may need to realize he will not get by much longer on his youth or his tragic story, there are too many other people coming to this country with horror stories that are excelling at all they wish to do. One of my own teachers is from a mess of a country and she said it was fantastic to have the opportunity to work and live here. I know a fellow from a few years ago and he has complained himself into non action, his art have never moved forward and it's everyone else's fault.
I hope Muthana doesn't go on for the rest of his life blaming all that happened to him in Iraq for his failure to succeed. It's not what happens to you but what you choose to do to move forward and how you handle the opportunities given to you. Granted being from such a country can cause you to be mistrusting and careful but if you are completely closed off to suggestion for improvement you will not go anywhere in life. I was surprised how much hyperbole he used in talking about the bomb in front of his house which was actually way off on another street.
He over exaggerated every story because he was afraid to lose face, maybe again that was a cultural upbringing he is dealing with. But when he man handled the film maker and took her equipment hostage I was really angry. I would not work with such a personality on any project. That kind of tantrum would be out of bounds, just give her the stuff back and say, "I need a breather and shut the door already!" Maybe physical violence is customary to settle personal disputes where he comes from?
I was just utterly amazed at how often everyone tried to help him succeed and find his way. If people are that willing to help him when he let them down so often I believe I can go far because I do everything in my power to succeed, even NOT going to parties to get my work done!
I also agree about the liberal stance as I have seen it first hand. The attitude of believe what I believe and I will help you, contradict my sacred cow and you're on your own.
I do wish to know if Muthana ever makes it through any film or acting school and gets some self esteem.
I think they should have brought his friend over that kept sending those little movies about life back home, the loss of electricity, the family under curfew and cannot leave their house until some future unkown date, that was powerful film making to me! That was REAL and LIVE and I was so touched by his mother praying to God because it is so hard to live in such a dehumanizing way.
Muthana may not know how many people came to this country from countries they were being executed over the last one hundred years or so. My own grand parents arrived speaking no English with nothing in their pockets and somehow succeeded through hard work and sacrifice. Is that too much to ask anymore? I know he has had a tough childhood, will that sound so great when he's 50 and singing that same song?
The other poster was right, follow his African roommate around, he looked interesting, and it amazed me how fast his roommate pinpointed that Muthana was a pessimist (and probably a user).
Well that was one wasted opportunity through bad attitude. Dang I wish I had a rich uncle! He would not be dissappointed!
I started watching this doc being excited for this boy who received such an amazing opportunity from these incredibly generous people. I have a lot of friends in the hollywood film industry who had to start out fighting just to be in Muthana's position. He was so lucky and turned out to have such a horrible attitude! I do not believe that he truly wanted to be a film maker. He was just hoping his 15 minutes of fame on MTV would lead to more. I'm afraid that instead he just disgusted a lot of people.
From the comments he made, it seems that he came from a realitively priveledged background and expected everyting to just happen for him without the hard work that EVERYBODY has to do to get ahead. At the end he says he doesn't care about money, because people keep enabling him out of guilt!
I have never seen such an insulting human being. I feel that he was taking advantage of the fact that he comes from a truly horrible situation in order to gain sympathy from the people around him. It is so upsetting to see him trying to make people feel bad that they brought him to Prague in order to be able to stay longer. There are thousands of people around him, possibly even his friends, who would have taken better advantage of this opportunity. He was just lucky to be plucked out of the crowd. I hope he sees this doc and is able to realize what a mean and manipulative person he was and quickly grow up and be a man.
Muthana is not special and his only hard work has been to create an illusion of personal and artistic greatness. He is a plain and ordinary young man. His special gift is not filmmaking, but rather his innate ability to comprehend and mimic the values of the powerful who may permit him limited access to their world.
Muthana is a master at feigning the personal incorporation of our values so as to inspire us, and thus appear worthy of our support in gratitude for a personification of our dreams. The poor boy never truly grasped the concept of having an extraordinary opportunity to become a filmmaker, yet he mouthed these words repeatedly because he was learned how he would be materially rewarded for so inspiring us.
Like many adolescents and young adults, Muthana seeks to be "successful" without acquiring the prerequisite experience and skills. In short, a disenfranchised young man wants money and independence and learns how to wrest it from idealists.
Wow. That was more interesting then it should have been. It did not go deep inside Iraq, but inside our own nature as a people. (especially the fowl reaction from the producer when he heard the words "love George Bush"). I found the film makers to be at fault and not the protagonist.
Although, the director made herself such a major part of the film the narrative became corrupted, it turned out way more honest than any reality TV script.
The cultural differences I had experienced myself going into film as a young man in Hollywood. I came from the lowest of the lowest economic background. And it took me years to learn what the character needed to know about respect in the middle and upper class Americans. They come from a place were if they fail, they simply go home to comfort and support in some way or another. Therefor they must always prove that they REALLY WANT IT. They have a system of respect based on "ass-kissing", bowing down, smiling when being called and idiot, working when they don't need to be -- just to stay busy, because it's proof that they are trying their hardest. Because in fact they don't really need it.
Where I'm from, the jobs I worked, the schools I went to, if you made yourself to available, to generous, to happy, and kissed ass, they would not trust you. People in the lower classes have a DIFFERENT system of respect is my point. If someone treats you bad and you don't stand up for yourself, they forever abuse you, or even mistrust. You cant trust someone who has no self-respect. So maybe to the Islamic world. An older culture.
Middle/upper class Americans hold all the cards. They have the money and the Visa. So they don't need to understand anyone. They expect people to understand them. Much like the "love George Bush" scenes.
I don't think the character understood when he was brought there that he wouldn't been actually learning something about movie making. They put him on set and gave him nothing but idiot work, like serving food. We know this to be a starting point, to make friends, make connections. He did not.
No one gave him enough money, enough direction, to survive from one moment to the next and not think it would be taken. So why try? Why not go home to your family? Why humiliate yourself? Why if your in Film school, go work a job that will take away from what you learn, when the fairy tale will soon be over anyways.
He learned to beg for food. Like a lost stray dog.
Someone should have sat him down and made him understand some kind of game plan to success. Then he could have made his own plays.
It was sad.
I have known many people that have come to America from the Middle East with nothing and have worked long and hard to achieve there goals.This young man states he was from a Upper Middle class family.His meals were cooked for him,he had all the best clothes,a personal driver to take him around.This is way above even what the average American has,let alone the average Iraq.Our guilt over the war seems to out way our common sense.I believe he manipulated people to feel guilt to achieve his goal.
I really enjoyed this film so, first off, my compliments to the filmmakers. As others have pointed out in this forum, Muthana was part-brat, part-conman, part-naive adolescent boy. I think Davenport succeeded in portraying the complexity of Muthana's character alongside her own frustrating experiences with him in the film. This is the strength of the Ross McElwee approach.
However, I was left feeling like little attempt had been made to put Peter and Liev, et al. on the hot seat. What about accountability? Liev and Peter get to walk out of the screening room with their self-congratulatory egos in tack. (Just a short interview clip would have sufficed!)
Surely, if the filmmaker is going to push the Operation Iraqi Freedom allegory, there is some room for questioning the administration, regardless of their 'good' intentions. Without some accounting from Peter and Liev, what we are left with is a film that is overwhelmingly about Muthana the lazy, manipulative Iraqi. We would make a film about American involvement in Iraq that was overwhelmingly about how Iraqis did not cooperate with us?
Some people commenting should remember this is a 1:25 long documentary. At the point where it seems Peter has given up on him during the filming of Everything is Illuminated, they had probably been shooting for about six weeks. Muthana had been probably screwing up that whole time. They didn't just pluck him out of Iraq and drop him on a movie set with no instruction or tutoring of what his duties were. Plus, it wouldn't surprise if he "fudged his resume" a bit with Liev and company. I'm sure if he did his work properly and showed some real enthusiam on the set of Illuminated, he would have received help on acquiring an American Visa.
I just feel that Liev, Peter and the rest figured he wasn't worth it because of his friggin ATTITUDE. The final straw for me was when he felt it was beneath him to get a job in London to cover his expenses. Beneath him. Pulled out of a broken country and work was beneath him. He should be thankful for the amount of handouts and opportunities he has already received. I have no idea how he will survive five more years in London with his sense of pride.
Understandable, the guy saying "WTF?!?" when he was explained about some one being a vegan, hell i would say the same thing and i know about the concept. Definitely some culture shock.
Understandable, being a bit annoyed at getting the opportunity to work in a "Hollywood" film and apparently ending up just doing normal intern stuff like getting coffee and the laundry. He probably had a different impression of what he was going to do.
Understandable, letting the visa situation go the first time because of the excitement, because of it being his first time away from everyone and in a different country.
NOT understandable, given the responsibility of doing the gag reel for the film to be shown in the wrap party in front of everyone and you get that done? No excuse.
NOT understandable, letting the visa situation degrade in the same way for a third occasion. By this time he should've been deep into figuring out something.
NOT understandable, not figuring out some source of an income situation. Dude... go pack boxes for some store or something.
There are some things you can excuse but by the end of the film there seemed to be way more stuff that you can't. Ignore the views, ignore the perceptions and all of that, the actions are where it counts.
He seemed to be under some sort of impression that one should believe in his skills so they should give him the things that he needs to show those skills. Problem being is that..... none of those Skills seemed to have shined before to give some one some hint so they could take a chance with him.
It was a good ... umm... i dont really know what to call it because this film ceased being a documentary at the half an hour mark when Davenport put the camera down and started to tell him how much of a moron he was being with the opportunity he had. At this point the whole aspect of this project changed for the viewer for the filmmaker and for the subject. That point could have very well been the point where Muthana thought "Oh, i got her." No saying he is an evil mastermind plotting some scheme but he probably thought she said something there that he could work with to get the things he wanted.
Nina,
You made a great film. I think the room mate in London would be one with a happy ending.
Ken
I always thought it was odd that the word "gift" derives from a Germanic word that originally meant "poison", but I think your film illustrates the connection quite well. The poisonous aspect of gifts and giving stems from the sense of obligation which the gift incurs. So you randomly picked this Iraqi kid out of the multitude, gave him a once in a lifetime, golden opportunity. And then you are shocked to find that, lo and behold, he's just an ordinary kid, with an ordinary kid's dreams, shiftlessness, pride and immaturity. Surprise, surprise. Only now, to complicate matters, you've turned him into a political refugee with legitimate fears of reprisal if he were to return home to Iraq.
Grudgingly, I'll have to agree with JakeD, below, that his film highlights the naivete of well intentioned liberals getting in over their heads. Is it any surprise that Muthana expressed affection for Bush? He's a Shiite. A member of the disenfranchised underclass in Saddam's regime. Is it any surprise that his claims for refugee status were validated, again and again, by the authorities? Iraq was rife with personal and political vendettas in the aftermath of the invasion, testimony to Donald Rumsfeld's contempt for reality, which effectively doused flames with gasoline in the brutally misguided first three years of the occupation.
It was excruciating to watch these insular, Hollywood busy bodies dismantle this poor boy's sense of self-worth with one hand, while attempting to pat themselves on the back with the other. I hope you learned something about the toxic nature of gifts that are not free, and I hope Muthana managed to find his way back to some semblance of self-respect, despite the obligation he incurred and the threat of assassination hanging over his head.
As a retired mental health counselor I was fascinated by Nina Davenport's film; and I refer her to Steve Karpman's brilliant psychological "Karpman Triangle" work (or "Rescue Triangle"--same thing).
Karpman proved that we get into the irrational Triangle in one of three places--Rescuing, Persecuting, or Victimizing, and the only way out is to set limits with another person. When that happens, the other person may get angry, trying to pull us back into the Triangle, or we will feel guilty, perceiving ourselves as having failed.
Searching for an "exit strategy" is so appropriate. I applaud Nina Davenport for her work--this film of hers could be used in any psychological workshop as an example of how easy it is to fall into the Triangle and how hard it is to get out.
I greatly admired this film. I was rooting for this kid. However, as the film went on, I grew to dislike him. I do not speak as someone who is the product of privlidge. (quite the opposite.) So, I feel free to say, I don't buy the "victim" definitions I have seen on some of these posts. I also do not beleive he was simply a spoiled brat. I think he is smart, manipulative, calculating and a "con artist." I wish I had time to write more about my thoughts on this film. Unfortunetly, I am writing this on my lunch break and have to go back to work. I would like to say a few more things. I think "YOU ARE THE FILM MAKER." This was an excellent film. As far as your subject; if he ever becomes a film maker, or more likely an "ACTOR." I would not support any of his work with my money. At the end of the film he says' he will suceed because he is the real thing. He very well may succeed in spite of being quite the opposite. You however, are the "real thing". Meaning, an extraordinary film maker. Congradulations!!
The only thing this documentary proves is that MTV's "real world" formula works across cultures. What conditions constitute the "real world" formula?
1.] Find a person who is definitely NOT the best fit for highly specific opportunities and cultures which they have never experienced.
2.] Place them in the obscure, highly challenging and stimulating environment thus creating an assumption that they have been competently assessed by other industry professionals and standards.
3.] Have "cool" people, who have highly specialized skills, put "real world" professional expectations on them in a very casual way.
MTV proves time and time again that the first 3 conditions will disorient, blur tangible goals, likely cause failure under rigid timeline, make a jerks out of people.
Finally, MTV acts like they care, are victims of their own goodwill, and have some kind of zen understanding of the situation.
"....know i'm looking for an exit strategy."
It's hard to believe this is merely incidental given MTV's history of successfully documenting peoples' failure and misbehavior. The world is a big place. MTV could be just as good at portraying success, but that wouldn't be the real world.
Operation Filmmaker, Independent Lens, PBS
episode: #1010
Muthana Mohmed, Iraqi youth, was taken under the guardianship of American neo-liberal filmmakers interested in him because of his natural setting, being an Iraqi film student trying to thrive in war-torn Iraq while things were tremendously dangerous there. It was offensive that the Americans who removed Mr. Mohmed from Iraq failed of themselves to note in advance his undeveloped sense of maturity, sadly lacking from the eyes of well established American professionals whose own careers were secure and thriving. It was obvious the American sponsors had not previously parented, as they expected Mohmed to simply become instantaneously self-sufficient, even as they catered to his needs.
There was little if any structure required from the onset of this cross-culture experiment. The moment Mr. Mohmed blurted out that he loved President Bush for changing his life, Mohmed was a lost cause so far as the American neo-liberal filmmakers were concerned. By giving him a new cold shoulder and snickering about his "faults" as they percieved, these "sponsors" went out of their way at that point to sabotage Mohmed's success. As previously stated, the sponsors failed to provide clear expectations of what duties were to be performed on an hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly schedule. Though they had taken him on as their responsibility, they enabled his weaknesses and promoted his level of emotional/social immaturity. Exactly what did these neo-liberals think that Mohmed could do without the years of maturity and training that they had, this being his first time away from home and totally removed from all of his traditions that had kept a young man "in line" at home? As a parent and as a professional instructor, it was enfuriating to watch the sponsors enable and compound the character flaws of an immature artist rather than train him responsibly. For his faults that they chided him for possessing, their own glaring ineptitude as "sponsors" was featured.
The producers wanted to wave their magic wand of money and opportunity over the head of an inexperienced Muslim youth with a dream and simply make him into their own dream. When they realized what was really required in order to train their chosen protegy, everything soured. That Mohmed countered their own ideology when they were being the sponsors was truly unforgivable to the neo-liberals, and made rejecting him all the easier, ignoring the requirements for success to occur. It was the principle of least interest on their part; they wanted to be do-gooders and become famous for their philanthropy, but were themselves inept in fulfilling the requirements of training a trainee.
And yes, I am aware that this Muslim youth was a moocher. What did you expect of any youth or of yourselves at his age, experiencing total freedom and Western luxury for the first time ever? It was insulting watching the sponsor show up after deadlines to scold the boy for not being a man. As sponsors of someone obviously in need of disciplinary guidance, who was in charge of this kid's itinerary, arranging the initial embassy appointment and prepping him in what to say in order to succeed? Who arranged for his initial visa to join the filmmaking party when he first departed Iraq? No doubt the sponsors did that, or Mohmed would have known HOW to do it himself already.
Nina I'm watching this documentary right now and my freakin blood is boiling, I had to pause it just to be able to calm down a little. He got you guys and the crazy thing about it is just his complete inability to realize what he was doing, and his inability to take ownership of the problems he is facing since being out of Iraq. How lucky he is to have had this opportunity and to have people who were willing to help him and all he does is freakin complain because you wouldn't give him money.
Now it really is no surprise because in the beginning he did mention how back in Iraq he didn't have to take care of himself, his mother did everything for him and he did call himself a baby.
I think what ultimately happened was that he had some sort of idea what it was to be filmed and that being filmed ment a lot less than maybe he bargined for.
As a person from New York and a child of a mother who left Haiti during the Papa Doc years and who still has family who came here to escape death. It's just sad that he thinks his so called realness does not include the reality of what it costs to sustain life without asking others. The Visas, the tuitions, the people willing to help...the least he could have done was get a part time job.
The other filmmake makes a very good point which would have to be delt with in another film to even begin to explore that angle. It's all unfortunate
You guys sold him the dream and he bought it.
This "kid" (and he was a kid based on his maturity) would have said anything to get what he wanted. He lied his way through the whole film and was cruel to the filmmaker. If anyone had held my damn film footage hostage I would have had his ass arrested. He was a usert and tried to get things the easy way rather than by working for it. He obviously had no moral intergrity. He is not unlike the children who beg on the streets who see an easy mark in tourists. He obviously had a better home life than some Iraqis and I agree the opportunity was wasted on someone like him. I'd like to meet up him him someday to tell him what I think in person.
Muthana did not have one single redeeming quality which is why he'll never become anything in life. The slimiest thing he did was to con Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson out of 12,000 English Pounds ($17,543.00). To watch the pretentious NY Film School instructors fawn over his horrible audition tape was also most disturbing. I guess they wanted to feel cuddly and warm about helping a "poor, oppressed Iraqi boy."
Amor's comment here says it very well. Also maybe it shows Muthana's lack of perseverence and hard-work ethic is something more Iraqis may need to learn. I saw many of his traits in my abusive ex, my ex is totally American but had many similar things, he talked a good game but did not work hard, his deep emotional problems totally affected all other relationships including becoming unemployed or homeless when he was overwhelmed emotionally (which was very often), stole things, etc. I am sure that is why many say you can't just use military to change the situation, there has to be more education and support and maybe even mental health support and better ethics taught at a young age, with the notion that hard work can also bring change, with maybe morals learned from the 10 Commandments (like don't steal, etc).
I'm not sure how it came to be that Muthana had a short personal film shown on MTV, but that indicates to me that he has some initiative. It's unfortunate that people judge this individual negatively without understanding the difficulty of his situation. Anyone who has lived in a foreign country where the culture is very different has some understanding of what Muthana was experiencing, and would be sympathetic. And, from his perspective, people from America, particularly Hollywood, are very wealthy. He may have overdone it as far as asking for financial help is concerned, from our perspective, but he was desperate to stay in the West.
I'm curious to know what the director cut out of the film. I suspect that, based on the negative impression she ended up with at the end of the film, she may have chosen to eliminate material that showed Muthana's more positive experiences and characteristics.
As a documentary maker I found the film to be extremely well done. The producers went in with the hope of encouraging an young film maker from a war torn country to progress in his chosen career in an environment where the majority of film in the world are made (with the exception maybe of India) an opportunity the majority of film students in the States and in the UK would have jumped at. What they showed us was this rather sad and unfortunate, immature character who perpetuated the stereotypical lazy, self important, macho ego centered looking for other to use as an excuse for his own lack of talent and squandering every opportunity presented to him.
The last straw for me was at the end when he proclaimed that he was an artist, didn’t need the money or any ones help because he was going to make it. This ‘real’ and honest artists who professed his liking of George Bush will no doubt, in true tradition, blame the Americans and the Jews for his failure.
I think this is a great film which should hightlight for people who have never spent time in such a place as Iraq how things get to be the way they are. Having spent a total of 28 months "over there" I have witnessed a lot of the same behavior and apathy towards hard work from normal people off the streets to Iraqi soldiers and police to politicians. His attitude was about as average as an Iraqi possible. Great film.
As a university administrator, a lifelong Democrat who didn't vote for Bush and opposed the invasion of Iraq, I too have often reflected on the disaster we "Big Bad Americans" have created in the Middle East, and yes - felt terribly guilty (not to mention angry). What a great opportunity, I thought as the film began, to offer this young man who has been a blameless victim of our scorched-earth administration.
Sure, there were cultural difficulties. But I saw fairly early on that the one who least understood the opportunity afforded Muthana was Muthana himself.
I am an American who interacts with on a regular basis, along with my Muslim colleague of 12 years, a wide variety of students entering college for Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees, many of them from all over the world; each student brings his or her own background to the mix: circumstances range from destitute to filthy rich, lazy to obsessed, grateful to resentful, and so forth. Cultural adjustment is often an issue at first; but for those who are eager to learn, it is quickly conquered. My colleague and I have often observed that being a anipulative "brat" has no correlation to sex, race, age, national origin, or any particular demographic.
Muthana, as unprepared as he may have been for the culture change, wasted opportunity after opportunity, ever-scheming post-disaster, rather than "owning" the work and doing it well and on time when given a new opportunity. Regardless of his background, that's a manipulative brat. I see students at the library at 2:00 AM, and I see students coming out of nightclubs at the same time. The difference between the two stems from their inner values - some understand that their fate is in their own hands, and that only hard work and studying will get them through. Some think they can "work the system" because they're clever, or pretty, or rich. Some purposely do nothing because they don't want to be there. It is not cultural; those who succeed have a personal value system that is willing to work for achievement, and is open to growth and maturity, which stem from difficulty and challenges.
In my opinion, Muthana didn't want to be a filmmaker (and probably still doesn't); he wanted to LIVE LIKE AN AMERICAN FILMMAKER. He showed no "hunger" for the work, but had a wall full of posters objectifying women and felt an "obligation" (?)to party with his friends. What a thrill it would have been for someone TRULY interested in filmmaking to compose a gag reel! Hell, I'm no filmmaker, but I would have been ECSTATIC to stay up all night and work on that gag reel -- for free! What a cool opportunity! Yet, after complaining of being demeaned to "mixing snacks" and "making copies," Muthana blew off some "real" film work!
What a waste! Muthana never came to understand the value of the work; Nina suffered years of ethical and moral dilemmas, trying to make a documentary that could not and woult not end as she'd hoped. Fortunately, she eventually got a brilliant film made, but I bet she tells her close friends it took a "pound of flesh" to get it done.
Nina - you deserve a prize, not only for the film, but for keeping your sanity. Stay home with your baby for a while and bask in the love of your newborn (it is truly a mountaintop experience!). But when the child gets older, and doesn't want to help around the house or do homework, or expects you to buy them a brand new BMW,or the "very good clothes" and the "beautiful meals and beautiful house," remember the consequences of raising a brat.
This movie affected me deeply on many levels, and I am also very impressed by the quality and thoughtfulness of most of the comments that I've read here (and, aside from that, how many educated and articulate people today can't spell). I find I agree in one way or another with most of the views expressed that have any degree of nuance to them, and some that don't.
A recollection that struck me forcibly while watching was of a co-worker from Beirut in 1988 who returned from a visit home and said quietly to me "Something I always have trouble remembering when I go back, is that from the time I get off the plane there, everyone I meet will lie to me." That matter-of-fact sentence, spoken by my friend in a completely ordinary setting in Cambridge MA, was my own poignant introduction to culture shock.
~dgb
My first impression of the film was somewhat divided the story of a young man given an opportunity that few have and his different faces trough the film. the director who feels compelled to help him from time to time due to an misplace guilt of her own. Overall the role that Muthana is place in these situations makes me re-evaluate my view of him from better to worst to horrible.
As much as the film first gears up to feel compassion for him, i grew to dislike him and feel a weird angry sympathy for him as well. The best scenes that accurately described him were most likely the scenes as he tried to bargain his feature in the film and giving reasons why hes the only one in the world who is enduring such hardship.
The fact he dislike talking about getting a job in the camera yet he dint hesitate or even stop Nina from filming him *to my knowledge* from asking his friends in Prague for money,showed he was lazy,and driven from desperation and a mixture of laziness just taking more from the people who first felt sympathy for him. Later in the film he refuses to be in the film to the point he takes Ninas tape,then when agreed to resume filming he ask for help from the producer and sends a email to the new york film and acting school rep, asking for help. This scene is probably my favorite part because, as the rep explains how he not only sympathizes with him and also understand his drive as well, he expresses how Muthana needs to be honest to be a good actor.
The scenes where Muthana ask and try to bargain and angrily accuses Nina intentions as hurtful to him and blames her for his situation and how she somehow can hold the key for him to get out of the hole is him being honest. Yet the beautiful directing of Nina,gives us a settle message of how a somewhat overall well intention outlook of generosity towards this person in his situation (Muthana) turned to be more difficult and unexpected problems for both of them.
Muthana was abusive and lazy and so many more things, but he was the perfect person for this story and I could not imagine anything different for this doc.
The final scene were he said "you know why,im going to succeed, because im real,." He was, the scenes he a cusses Nina,took her tape,tried to manipulate Nina,asked for money from friends and angrily hated when Nina taped him sitting around the house instead of going out for a job,asked and bargain with her for his benefit out of desperation. The was him being honest. He honestly doesn't want to work or try on his own, he wanted those who helped him to keep helping him and give him something that can only be earned trough hard work and dedication.
I loved the movie,the director the subject and the character. If Nina would have chosen Reza who seemed to be more thoughtful and caring,this film would have ended happily and very boring. Imagine the scenes were Muthana pushes Nina out of his house and angrily tries to bargain his role in the film, being being replaced by Reza giving a front fake smile working at a shop,sad smile at the camera saying im trying and working. We would have never seen the real honest look at the characters true emotions.
Muthana's ugly side driven by desperation and the director misplaced guilt towards him. They both gave us a story and outlined message.
great job, nina
Has waiting tablesfallen out of fashion with creative arts students? I thought waiting tables was a right of passage for want to be actors/producers. Muthana needs get a job at the local pretentious restaurant so he can support himself on tips in the time honored tradition of starving college students.
This was an unforgettable documentary. It shows the hopes and failures of all involved, including the filmmaker. It seems that Muthana didn't have the level of maturity that the filmmakers assumed he would or should have. I think he will probably eventually see his way through like all of us usually do. He was given an opportunity and even if he was unwilling or unable to make full use of it, it has led him to safety outside his country and further opportunities along his way. I wish him and the filmmaker the best.
This guy's sense of self entitlement became obnoxious to watch and he went from refugee you felt sorry for to rude, selfish and big whiner real fast. He needed a swift kick in the ass before London Film School!
My initial reaction to Muthana's story was fairly monolithic. I grew bored with the documentary dismissing him as just another kid pampered to the point of incompetence. The attributes concomitant with a privileged upbringing aren't bound by culture--a spoiled pansy in Iraq is the same as one in New York. (I’m not sure Muthana even wanted to be a film-maker. He certainly enjoyed watching films and hanging out with his homies but I don’t think we ever even saw clips of a film made by him. Usually aspiring film-makers will have a compilation of works—even if they were made as children with a crappy camcorder.)
Anyway, as I got to the end, my opinion drastically changed. I began to hate Liev and his crew. “Yeah let’s just abandon this kid after he fails to live up to our incredibly unrealistic fairy tale expectations. He should instantly have knowledge about film, American idiosyncrasies, and the value of hard work despite having no film portfolio and being pampered for 2.5 decades as a son of one of Saddam Hussein’s government officials. Hmm…maybe we should have done some research?”
Disregard Muthana’s laziness and immaturity for a second. This guy was plucked out of his country with no formal education, evidently zero film experience, and a taste for American lifestyle without the burden of an American work ethic. And for what purpose? So that a bunch of California yuppies could pat themselves on the back? What did they think was going to happen in a few months? I’m really not sure if Liev’s failed romantic experiment was a product of real good intention, an attempt to assuage guilt, or pure egoism.
Look, I go to an Ivy League University. I’ve seen first hand that coastal liberals are usually just as ignorant as their bible-belt analogues.
But was the parallelism supposed to be so darkly ironic? He didn't ask to be saved in the first place. Look where the interference got him. Should sound familiar.
Finally a mainstream media film that deals with George W Bush's contribution to the world. George Bush changed Muthana's world along with about 50 million other Iraq's who now have oportunities and freedoms. I was impressed by PBS's airing of this show and I am sure the US Military shares my gratitude.
I have conflicted feelings and thoughts about this documentary about Muthana that I just saw and could not stop myself from watching. Let me put it this way: How can anyone expect a young 25 year old romantic yet intelligent refugee (from a culture very different from mainstream America) to function "normally" and without feeling perhaps disoriented, conflicted or torn inside while being outside of his native war-torn country, away from his family and friends and culture?
On one hand he seemed idealistic and narcissistic (who wasn't at 25?) and perhaps he thought that all in the west was gold and would come easily to him. I felt annoyed by his youthful arrogance (it reminded me of mine some years ago) and also by the way he was challenged by the "directing" director. Does Ms. Davenport think that life really happens quickly, efficiently and orderly? That would be a Bush-Cheney fantasy.
Muthana was candid enough about who he was and where he was and what he was experiencing and had the ability to negotiate very skillfully what he needed and within the circumstances. Some people in his shoes might act more entitled, some may try to be more self-reliant. My final thought is that he was as exhibitionistic as this entire project was. Another reality show. Life and one's privacy and personal struggles, conflicts and dreams are, in my opinion, too precious to be exploited this quickly and on TV and then suddenly dropped.
Like Irak by the US perhaps? And this piece, I believe, Muthana was deeply aware of all along and perhaps even more than the director herself. He remained loyal to his ways. I am sure he is learning. Like the rest of us. Thank you both.
Imagine coming from a war torn country and having to mix nuts for vegans on a Hollywood set. And the producers just expected him to figure everything out. Typical self-righteous Hollywood people. I think that the George Bush comment turned them all against him.
Kudos to Elijah Wood and The Rock for some humanity. While I had been a huge Liev Schreiber fan-I must now rethink that position.
I love Independent Lens but this program was extremely disturbing. I have worked with inner city youth and it seemed obvious to me at the beginning that this young man was totally unprepared to function at any level acceptable to filmmakers who are endued with Western Culture. First of all you have to be pretty stupid to take a young traumatized person from a country like Iraq and expect him to go back. The filmmakers are supposedly politically savvy and didn't understand that returning this man to his country would put him into real danger. Hard to believe. I couldn't decide who was more spoiled this young, ignorant prejudiced person or the filmmakers. Yes he was a money hungry little grubber but I know he had to be living in terror most of the time. The fact that he is still surviving whether by con or by luck is a testament to a determination to survive that may later serve him better than this carefully trumped up "Liberal" display of charity. (And I consider myself a bleeding heart liberal.) I couldn't understand the constant pleading for large sums of money. What was it for? For rent? To party? I and my roommate had a similar experience with a young Russian man who found us in New York and drove us crazy until we dispatched him to a farm in the Midwest. (He was Christian and had just been inducted into the Russian army – not eligible for asylum. We didn't have the heart to turn him in. Hopefully he has survived the capitalist experience.) When you deal with young people from different cultures you are walking on eggs. There is a basic ignorance of what different societies consider acceptable and a genuine terror of being found inferior. (The inner city is a very different culture than that of the suburban middle class one so I include that culture as a viable difference.) There are illusions of American wealth without work that are very hard to combat and certainly need time and counseling to counteract. Nothing was clearer to me than watching the very American partying and the anxious face of this young Iraqi. I remember an incident where my daughters took a young black friend of theirs to Bennington College where they would have accepted her. She came from family impoverished by drugs and street life and we though this was her chance. She never followed through on our sincere efforts and work. Years later she confided how she wished she had gone but how overwhelmed she was by the trappings of academia as well as what she saw as sophistication around her. She was paralyzed by fear which she expressed as cockiness. Middle class Americans certainly attend all their precious children as well as themselves with piles of Dr. Phil type egg coddling. How would you expect a young man from a protected Shiite home, who has probably heard anti-Semitism proclaimed as if it were gospel from early age, whose school has fallen down around him - how do you expect this person to perform normally in an alien culture with no family or friends around him?
What the film showed to me was a typical American lack of sensitivity towards cultural difference - a sort of "come on - get with it" patronizing attitude. Life is complicated. And if you don't want to keep giving money to someone you say no at the same time you lay down rules and budget. You have a young stupid boy who, like our own young morons who think they will become automatic rock stars, watches the wealth and trappings and becomes angry because he feels he has no part of it.
There was one section where the conversation was that the right thing for this young man to do would be to go home to his family and that he was now faking all feelings. Yet the documentary reveals that his family and friends tell him not to come back - that it's too dangerous. The documentary brought him out of his country in a time they had to know working with Americans was dangerous. Were they callous about sending him back to a possible death or just stupid? There were a lot of people in this film who need to grow up and they don't have the excuse of being an ignorant Iraqi. The Rock was probably the only sympathetic character in the whole film It made me very sad since today’s world seems to be sinking into a morass from this type of cultural misunderstanding.
As I watched this documentary, I was torn between my feelings of guilt over the debacle in Iraq, and the idea that a wonderful opportunity had been given this young man. Good for the conscience, however minimal, I thought. I was rooting for him, until by the end for the film I had come to feel nothing but utter disdain. His air of entitlement was very off-putting, particularly when he tried to hustle $10,000 for his participation in the documentary. He always seemed to be looking for an "angle."
There is also this. While he expressed "passion for film", as he was wont to say, it was never really demonstrated whether he had any real ability. In fact, even with The Rock paying for his school in London, he didn't manage to accomplish very much, squandering it seems, a very generous opportunity.
If he manages to get to New York, he most assuredly will be able to push a number of political and emotional buttons to keep his "dream" rolling, but in the end this too will wear thin, and ultimately he'll be expected to assume responsibility for his life. And this I strongly suspect is beyond the ken of this rather spoiled young man.
Anita Moore
Disturbing - Hellenization By Hollywood. The whole world has become obsessed with escaping into fantasy via movies. Why? Kudos to documentaries! The medium of film is an excellent learning tool that Hollywood is wasting. Think how we could be solving many social problems through film and TV by creating understanding, yet we choose to rot out the gift by making it an entertainment invention.
Brilliant - We can side step government foreign policies and operations and reach out to people of other nations ourselves to try and lend them a hand. This was a story of an individual(Liev)trying to help another individual (Muthna). Power to the people.
Twilight Zone - he was just a kid excited about film, the trip was to encourage him to develop, but then all these "professional" drama people thought he was already such a great talent. What?!? If he was, I was not sensing or seeing anything to prove it.
Creepy - Maybe Muthuna was exploited by Nina Davenport, an opportunist looking for a career-launch stepping stone? Sure enough, Muthuna was paid simply by being given the once in a lifetime opportunity, but still, Nina is currently making money and fame off the film he does not want shown, I don't trust her.
Liberal Wacko's - Muthuna said George Bush was his hero and he loved the USA which threw them for a loop, this was the most enjoyable part of the film :)
Disturbing #2(the sequel - the adventure continues) - Muthuna was a symbol of us all in that we all carry within us the seeds of our own destruction. What self-defeating behaviors do we each engage in? As he judged the actors/production staff for needing special treatment (coffee, special food, etc), so he himself (Muthuna) also sought special treatment (more money and favors). Hypocrisy. In the end none of us can judge anyone else because we all have our own unique faults and failures. The End.
Fascinating study of a young man who seemingly never had to be responsible and by his own admission. He quickly learned how to manipulate and beg money, saying work was beneath him while all around him worked hard.
Having watched this film today, and read through all the comments, there isn't much for me to add that those before me haven't already expressed. Adjectives that come to mind for this film are fascinating, disgusting, insulting, and riveting. Someone asked why Ms. Davenport even did this film and I think the answer lies in the descriptive words I used above. No, the young Iraqi I hope isn't indicative of the typical youth of that country, but he did learn to manipulate and cajole his way out of many a dead-end deadlines on more than one occasion. At least he had some of the skills to survive. As for his "passion" for film-making, I didn't buy it for a second. His passion was to stay out of his war-torn country and stay alive without having to exert much effort on his own, period. I seriously doubt this young man will ever amount to anything. He's had his moment and let him fade away back into obscurity where he belongs.
What a perfect match--Muthana and the makers of Operation Filmmaker. Muthana used the filmmakers, the filmmakers used him (call it whatever you like), and now everyone is getting exactly what he or she wants, hence this blog.
Very thought provoking! But I wonder why the exit strategy was an afterthought.
I have to wonder what Liev was thinking when he plucked Muthana out of Iraq. Film school in Iraq is no doubt a different experience than what one would have in London or NY. I don't know how they could have expected him to jump in with both feet and not be completely overwhelmed with the experience. I think it is obvious he didn't have the same training or experience we might expect from someone coming from the London or NY film schools, yet it seemed to me that was expected.
Furthermore, did they have any background on him other than what they saw on MTV? Did they check with his professors or any other references on his work ethic? Did anyone ever consider that he most likely never held a job considering the environment he grew up in?
I have a hard time defending Muthana, he clearly made some poor choices as well. I get the impression that this golden opprotunity caught him by suprise and just didn't have the background or education to deal with the situation.
The documentary was excellent. I was capitvated by this young man and what was going to happen to him. I think Ms. Davenport gave us a film as honest as she thought. I had seen EVERYTHING ILLUMINATED and thought it was an incredible film. With that out of the way, I feel Muthana may been a bit misguided.
I think when he got to the set, the crew, including the producers and director needed to give him some guidance. They just plopped him in the middle of a movie and expected him to take charge. Not all people can do that. The boy had a passion. I feel it was the responsibiltiy of the crew to direct him. Someone to sit down with him and explain that getting a cup of coffee is not beneath him and that is how everyone starts. I think the whole film crew expected him to think the way they think. It does not go that way. They took this kid out of a horrible situation and a different culture. Granted, he was not perfect.
He should not hv gone to the party that night and had done his editing assignment. But i feel the editing team did not even really sit down with him and give him any guidance. Perhaps he was given guidance, but Ms. Davcenport did not convey this to the audience. I also wanted to know why Muthana was not able to go the American Film School in NYC. The faculty seemed very interested in him and were trying to see if he could get a scholarship. Ms. Davenport never told us why he never got there. I would love to see an update on Muthana, as I found him to be a very interesting subject. Very likable and would hope he will succeed in his career as a film maker.
Everyone was excited and happy to have Muthana on the set until he said he loved George Bush. If the other people in this film could not understand why he felt this way, how could they understand anything about this person? I guess they thought he would hate America and it ‘military men’ for 'ruining' his country.
It was great to see the shock on the 'liberal, open-minded' producers face when Muthana though otherwise. I’m taking away from this moving that liberal people, who proclaim to want to help humanity, will only do so if you prescribe to their point of view.
Muthana is a brat, plain and simple. He squandered an incredible opportunity: not the opportunity to start a film career but the opportunity to work hard, grow up, learn, and make a positive contribution to himself, his family, his country, and the world. What a waste. His complete unwillingness to take any responsibility for himself borders on pathological and it was difficult to watch the filmmaker continuously bail him out. Frustrating.
"Ms. Davenport either succeeded in pushing a young man into film making or into a terrorist!"
Wow, totally uncalled for.
I have to say I very much enjoyed the film. If it was any other movie I would have simply enjoyed it as a film and not given it much thought but realizing this is a documentary and that the people involved are not actors but real human beings I couldn't help but be disturbed by Muthanas behavior. He was given so many oportunities throughout the film to follow his dreams and succeed but he never seemed to want to really do anything for himself. He asked favors from as many people as he could never really once showing that he really wanted to do something for himself.
He himself realized this when he promissed not to ask for money which is odly the only thing he seemed to be doing after that point in the film and then began to get upset because he was being portrayed in a negative aspect. He knew what he was doing and became upset when he realized that all his negative actions were being cought on camera. At first I felt sympathy for him but once he asked The Rock to help him with school I realized he was just hitching a free ride.
When he asked to get payed to participate in the film I actually began to feel sad for him. Not because of his situation but because of what he had made out of it. People wish they could get the oportunities eh did and frankly he didnt make much of them. This film could have opened his doors to many great things but sadly it just shows the kind of person he is. I still wish him the best and hope he can acomplish his dreams but more importantly I hope he realizes he needs to change his life and become a better person.
People are people wherever you go. Naive, unworldly, he took an opportunity for change or accomplishing his dream, though I don't think he had a realistic view of how to get there. "Mother does everything" tells the story. All those men marching in the streets on the news reels - doesn't ANYONE work over there?
He may not become a filmmaker, but more aware for sure. It almost came down to his playing a "victim" type. I hope his lessons are well learned so that if or when additional opportunities arise, he can better handle himself. Camera crew (Nina) shame on you! You knew better but kept falling all over the place. Afraid we would think you uncaring? You pretty much played a "victim" yourself, in the end.
It seems like the Film's title is very different from the content of the film. The film tries to portray a conniving schemer trying to suck dry all these sympathetic Americans, but the title "Operation Filmmaker" says it all.
It is parallel to "Operation Iraqi Freedom", which even in the most sympathetic interpretation, is nothing more than stuffing our values and our way of doing things into the Iraqi's throat, be it "democracy" or "free market". Historically, it is more like much of the other Operations around the world, where we would bulldoze in and do what we want, and when our goal has been accomplished, abandon the population and let it pick up the mess.
This is exactly what happened here, with the Hollywood gang doing something that will make them feel good, tell Muthana that "we are doing you a favor", but when it becomes more of a burden, abandon him completely. Instead of helping him on the way of the ropes, they tell the camera how he should be doing major ass kissing. Instead of helping him with his visa before it expires, they berate him for not kissing up to everyone for that favor. From observation, I think that the turning point from the Muthana that didn't know how to get things done (remember, his mom did everything back home) to the Muthana that knew the only way to get it done, which was to extract favors from people.
Kouross Esmaeli, the man from MTV that discovered him, summed it up best when he describes Muthana as seeing his dependents having other ulterior motives (making the film and making alot of $$) and he cannot trust those people. Sounds familiar? We go into Iraq for some other reason and once there, we tell the Iraqi people there that we are there to liberate them.
As Colin Powell once said, "You break it, you own it". But apparently not even the liberals in Hollywood practices what they believe.
This Iraqi kid is probably not unlike millions of youngsters who settle on film-making because it looks glamorous and also doesnt appear to require the rigorous and time-consuming university preparation of professions such as medicine and the hard sciences.
Had the young man been from the states, he wouldnt have got a look-in from a professional U.S. film project, including, Im pretty sure, the one that hired him. He had no skins on his wall suggesting any experience with any aspect of film production. And did the film-makers know exactly what level of instruction is provided by film school in Baghdad these days? But they brought him to Prague, anyway. And then, his unwillingness to take on the menial tasks that beginners must do should have got him canned after about the first pay period. The film-makers are remiss in all these areas.
I wonder what his parents attitude toward his adventure may have been. Did they share his expectation that he'd be financed indefinitely by the rich Americans, or did they believe he had moneymaking skills, or did they just want him to escape from Baghdad? Might this story portend something concerning a future dependent relationship between Iraq and the U.S.?
What a great thing those involved did for the young Iraqi.
What a waste that it was spent on this particular Iraqi. He has absolutely no work ethic but the depths he will go to get money out of caring people was sickening. Attempting to extort the film maker was at the top of the list.
Now, unfortunately, there is another young person living in a worn torn country who is really worthy of this opportunity and will not get it. Tragic.
Joanne McDevitt
You don't take someone from a war-torn country and then send them back. He could be killed for his participation in this film. Iraqis who so much as even speak with Americans are targets in Iraq. If I was this guy I would be angry too. The people around him don't have a freaking clue what's going on and they act totally indifferent -- acting more concerned about how he's inconvenienced them. Yeah, he might say that he wants to go back to Iraq and then turn around and extend his Visa. That's not exactly lying. He wants to be there with his family -- but what favor is he doing them to go back just to get himself killed? It would break their hearts. So I don't know how the Americans in the film can pass judgement like they do.
This is a very enlightening film. Is it a lot of the youth today expecting things handed to them? Is it his situation? I did not see the MTV documentary but I wish we had more insight into his family life in Iraq.I wonder what his family feels about the film. If it were my son I would be appaulled by his lack of gratitude and effort to better himself. He said he did not want to fail.... but I think he did. He failed to see the oportunity he was given and instead thought it was a free ride.
Saw the film on WMHT last night. It seems like Ms. Davenport and her film-maker colleagues need to grow up as much as their protagonist. Why the shock and outrage that a young Iraqi (he does look much beyond a teenager) would grab the chance to get out of a war zone, regardless of his dedication or lack of dedication to their sacred film projects. I think he survived much longer with her deprecating camera than I would have under those circumstances.
Wow.....well done! I was excited at first about the idea of it....but Muthana really didn't take the opportunities that were dropped in his lap......and work his a__ off to repay the kindnesses (or maybe he did the 'best' that he knew how) I hope he did not have to go back to Iraq and could make his passion work for him.
ps....I like happily ever afters....lol
Of course he was treated differently because he was from a war torn country. If another young adult had been given the same opportunity and had made the same inexperienced and sometimes poor decisions, he would have been allowed to fail. In this case, failure meant Muthana's return to his country and the possibility of death. No one - not even a series of bosses who are dealing with a poor employee - wants to "sentence" someone. When someone you know is in a situation where there is eminent danger, almost any person will rally, sacrifice and even bend their normal judgment to stop the potential catastrophe.
I thought the interesting thing about the movie was that it seemed as though the filmmakers and other's involved were surprised and disappointed that Muthana would keep trying to rally, bend judgment, beg and make shallow promises to stay away from his own eminent danger.
Muthana is young and seems irresponsible - enough to do poorly at a job, enough to underachieve at school - enough to always push everything to the last minute which makes it impossible for him to succeed on his own - but not young or irresponsible or foolish enough to stop trying to remain out of a country where danger is eminent.
The failed social experiment by the producers and actors within this film is a sad commentary on the hypocrisy of those involved in its creation. There is no more poignant a scene than when Muthana is asked of his opinion on President George Bush. The look of repulsion on the face of the Peter, the Pretentious Producer is quite telling and goes to show that he is no different than the establishment he is so obviously and vehemently against. In the end, the actors (with the exception of Dwayne Johnson) appear just like the contractors, military, and government establishments they misguidedly and improperly blame for the atrocities and mismanagement of Iraq. As an American Soldier with two combat tours in Iraq, I have never given up on the Iraqi people. I cannot say the same for the members participating in this film.
This young man was given a very unique opportunity to involve himself in the film industry. He did not recognize humility and gratefulness towards the people that were sympathetic towards his situation. He said he was from a middle class family. He was pretty much better off than most of the Iraqi population to begin with. His father is a high ranking official and nothing was mentioned about his willingness to leave the country because of fear. I think that this man has a capricious interest in himself and that if he would succeed in filmmaking he would soon forget everything about Iraq. He tried to gain financially from the goodwill of the filmakers and I believe that speaks poorly about his intentions. He should head back to his family and try to live it out with them. He has used all the people around him once too often. IMHO.
I enjoyed this work very much. Lazy people are lazy people no matter where they live. I watched the hard working and dedicated look for that in the featured role and find nothing.
Well, it's really hard to say how I felt about his story. Except for the war, I had very little compassion for him in the sense that he was percieved to be very lazy. I hate to sound bias, but the footage of him deffinetly made him seem very unmotivated and scared, which is odd because all of my middle eastern friends are extremly hard working over achievers. But let's not sterotype, not every person is the same regardless of what race you are.
To me, it seemed that he was confused as to what he would be doing the whole time. the idea of American culture was confusuing to him. We are very fast paced and sometimes do not work in methodical manners. I think teh whole master and servant thing to the director and the others was bizarre to him, at least it seemed that way. I felt bad for him at times, because it was obvious he didn't understand what was going on, it almost seemed like he thought it was all going to be fun and games.
It just seemed to get more and more akward as the documentary went on. I believe American viewers who may be a little iggnorant about the war may find him lazy and unmotivated. I think that he isn't, he was just confused and the quick exposure to American movie/hollywood culture was a bit much. Even though he wasn't in America, he was working with Americans.
I would be intrested to hear what he ended up doing?
One thing I am glad is that the documentee did not buge and give him more cash, it must have been rough, but it was the right thing to do.
Editors note:
Muthana Mohmed received five years asylum in the United Kingdom and is still living in London trying to make films.
Liev Schreiber’s film, Everything is Illuminated, was released to critical acclaim in 2005 by Warner Independent Pictures and garnered a number of awards for the first-time director.
The Universal Pictures science fiction/horror film, Doom, starring The Rock, opened in late 2005 in the United States and the United Kingdom. (The Rock is also known as actor Dwayne Johnson and is the man who paid for Muthana’s tuition at the London Film Academy.)
Documentary filmmaker Nina Davenport is living in New York City and is expecting her first child in December 2008.
I was greatly disturbed by this documentary as I watched it last night. It was clear to me, early on, that this young man was not deserving of the support and opportunities that were coming his way. His lack of enthusiasm for editing or doing mundane tasks on the set, his inability to take any responsibility for his visa situations, his lack of finding employment to support himself (he is 25) and his perpetual asking others to take care of him made me angry. My feeling toward those of you who got involved in this are equally strong. What were you thinking??? Couldn't you see him for what he was? When I think of all the deserving young people who could have benefitted from your assistance I find is disheartening that this Iraqi man received all this with so little, except living in the West, to show for it. How will he manage in England for five days, much less five years, without someone funding his every endeavor.
The other issue that I found troubling was his anger, which I feel stemmed from his inability to accept any responsibility for himself. Hopefully he will not turn to violence as a way to deal with his feelings but I feel that this is a distinct possibility considering his personality and the violence that surrounded his early life in Iraq. Knowing the complexities of obtaining visas I am shocked and saddened that the UK allowed him to stay for five years. What were they thinking? Do we all have such guilt over the war that this is our way of cleansing ourselves of that?
What a sorry state of affairs...he needs to go back to Iraq and let his family support him...or better yet, let him learn to fend for himself. Next time you are looking for someway to act out your humanity and help the less fortunate I encourage you to contact me. As a social worker that works with youth right here in the US I could give you more than one name.
Muthana was a con-man from day one. His barely concealed hatred of Jews and probably Americans as well, helped make him unable to accept the gift of a lifetime. The filmmakers admitted they felt guilty about the war in Irag and this blinded them to things they should have seen earlier about this individual. He could not tell the difference betwen the Bush Administration and those Americans who were always against the war. I hope he is never admitted into the U.S. I am sure there are other Iraqis who should be welcomed here. This powerful documentary tells a tragic story. It should be shown in prime time.
Never have I been so angered by any Independent Lens piece. I don't doubt these producers were well intentioned but they demonstrated a total lack of cultural understanding and had zero foresight of the negative consequences their efforts would incur. They plucked a young man straight out of a war zone and turned on him when he didn't follow the script they had clearly written for him. This was a disaster created by their own ignorance.
I watched Operation Film Maker very close for I previously had some middle eastern friends and I worked for a middle eastern company for some time and wanted to see if my impressions of the idiosyncrasy of a middle eastern man was different from one Arab country to another. By the time the credits rolled, I was so distressed that I could not go to sleep for another hour. From the very beginning, it was plain to see that Muthana had an ulterior motive in mind and It was not making movies. I could sense that Miss. Davenport also sensed it but she choose to ignore it. Muthana was a young man from a middle class family that never did any work and was not about to be anyone's coolie. He expected to be promoted to DIRECTOR even thought he never tried to learn to be one. The heads of the American school ware right, he was a better ACTOR, he conned everyone, including me.
Great story. I expect this young guy will shake his head in a few years in shock at the way he treated the opportunities he was so fortunate to have given to him and how little he gave back in return.
First q, no.
Maybe he thought they were going to give him a really top job and he would have underlings to look after all those sensible things like getting important visas.
But maybe they should have done that for him, since they did invite him.
Hard to say but the idea for this film whoever created it has been very illuminating for me! Thanks a bunch, this is my favorite film for 2008.
This was a sad parralel to the greater Iraq situation.
Two quagmire that resulted in nothing, and costed much more than we ever expected.
I beleve the gentleman (his roomate) was a better subject to follow. The boys of Sudan at least fought for a better life, this guy is trying to scam his way on liberal feelings of shame and guilt.
Muthana was treated differently by way of the fact he was given an awesome opportunity because he was from a war torn country. I think it needs to be said, not everyone is talented. I wonder what it would have been like with a different person from the film school.
The main question coming to my mind through the whole documentary was, am I seeing a cultural thing here or was it lack of drive? Muthana came across as a cocky male from a male dominate society. It was very revealing when he said he just needed to show up and he had clean clothes, food and even a driver. Maybe he thought he was being handed the reins when he showed up in Prague. We,in the U.S. on the other hand, like to see people arise from the dust, strive through hard work and tears to get to the prize. We did not see that with Muthana. He seemed to want to get to the top through recognition with others alone.
I thought it was a great documentary. The tension was great and it kept me asking questions about our personalities, societies, ambitions and deep desire to achieve. Being a struggling artist myself I realized I was looking for that inner drive and hunger that seemed to never materialize be in Muthana.
I had to wonder how the initial job in Prague was presented to Muthana? Did he understand that it WAS a job, even, and were his responsibilities and what was expected of him ever explained? Perhaps he thought it was an award of some kind where he was going to just come to Prague and spend time watching a film being made.... a belief supported by the fact that everything was arranged, paid for and provided for him while he was there, like a contest winner.
When he kept saying "that's not my job", I had to wonder if he understood what his job entailed??
And did anyone ever sit him down like a 'dutch uncle' and discuss the realities of life ("in the west") when it seemed he didn't have a clue, and that he had to step up and make his OWN future? Someone even said that Muthana had to learn that his impression of life in the US is not necessarily true to actual life here.
He said himself that he was a baby, that his mother did everything for him. Had he ever even had a job before? I don't think he'd ever been responsible for anything before, and little expected of him by his family and society (at his age, at least).
I think Peter (?) had a good point when he later said that he thought Muthana was desperate to get out of Iraq and would do and say whatever he needed to accomplish this.
Muthana said he was passionate about filmmaking, but apparently not to the extent that he would try to involve himself in all aspects of the process in order to learn as much as he could while he had the short opportunity in Prague....to the exclusion of all else.
It was scary to watch because I could see how "kids" like him become disaffected in the West and turn to the supportive environment offered by terrorists. And how they could easily be turned/influenced against a society that hadn't come up to their dreams.
He thinks we don't understand that he has pride, but I guess we just don't think of pride in the same way: he wasn't concerned about his pride when he was asking acquaintances for money over and over, without any attempts to come up with his own income or funds.
I think the film and the whole situation in the Middle East comes down to not communicating fully and honestly with each other, attempting to know how and why the other side thinks the way they do, and then finding a middle path. "Peace" at all costs, should be the main objective... unless you WANT to hand down to your children and family a world of pain, fear, and hate? Forget the past hurts and injury, and don't allow them to prevent the future that could be.
Ironically, Liev Schreibner blundered into a situation he thought he could change for the better. I think he did. Muthana thinks Bush did. Perhaps both will have happy endings. What Schreibner got, as did Bush, was the messy reality that happens when we forget to beware of what we ask for. Schreibner may have been a victim of the delusional state that gripped all of America when we first invaded Iraq: we would make everything better. We can pluck this kid out for a month-long reality show, then deposit him straight back in his crib where he will film the occupation. It is disappointing that Schreibner and MTV did not find a responsible way to help Muthana aside from assisting with visa extensions. Muthana can be forgiven that he did not know how to play "the game". He seems to have learned.
I felt slimed by this film. Nina & the other movie-types in it certainly do an excellent job of representing narcissistic, entitled, pampered, dangerously self-deluded and proudly ignorant Americans. They had all the money and power and still needed sycophantic strokes too, for "helping" who they used and abused for their own personal increase.
I was reminded of wildlife "documenters" who put prey into a predator's path. An extremely vulnerable human was lured into an alien environment, alone with no protectors, and treated like a worthless piece of flesh, manipulated and I would even say savaged, repeatedly given punishments that were called rewards.
And this is, with utter sincerity, presented as unappreciated largesse.
It is very true, we do get a wonderfully microcosmic, left-side mirror of Bush's bunch is provided. Nina and her Hollywood cohort behave so despicably, while all the people in their world see it in reverse - it really is as disorienting as all of Bush II in its tiny way.
I guess I admire Nina's showing her own cruelly blind behavior (I typed "bling" first, appropriately). But from what she says on this site (and I googled a bit), she doesn't seem to get what her own role really was. That is psychologically fascinating. I can see this film being used in future to teach the power and pathology of self-serving denial.
Even if Nina as slave to dogma was an acting job, to emulate The Ugly American, the end still does not justify the means. (And would that be "documentary?")
So, I guess, good job, eh? But with a very hearty UGH.
This is a fantastic and deeply stirring film. As an avid fan of Werner Herzog's documentary work, I really enjoyed the transformation undergone by the filmmaker and supporting characters -- as much as the subject himself.
There is no question that Muthana was treated differently because of his background, but this worked both ways for him. He was a sort of white elephant, of great symbolic and little practical importance to many of those around him. You see him come from Iraq where his favorite movie is The Sixth Sense, and get this feeling that, however passionate he is about film, he will need years of education and experience before he can meet the expectations laid out for him the second he steps off the plane. It's strangely tragic, but I wish him and the makers of the documentary all the best. A quagmire from the start, and sadly one that anyone would have stepped right into.
I must say this film allowed my emotions to feel simpathy, frustration and compassion. At first I felt that as a young man from another country that looks at Hollywood as a another dimension into this world(I confess I feel that Hollywood is another planet)and wanted to be a part of it and is then thrown into the life is like an animal stuck in an on comming car.How is he supposed to know what to do?
I would be star struck. Then as he gets to be around people and the individual professions, given opportunity to prove himself he fails. Then he becomes very much like a typical American youth and wants something for nothing because of his pride. During the film you edited powerful scenes in Iraq that makes you want to help just so he doesn't go back. Then again he loses your simpathy as a viewer by doing nothing about helping himself improve as a human. I was given the oportunity to experience life in different parts of the world at a young age an I will admit I pissed most of my time away. Then I grew up and I look back and think well I could have done better, I live and learn and am still learning but not at the expense of others. I really enjoyed the film and hope to see more of your documentries. It makes me realize that even in other countries spoiled youth exists.
After watching your film I became reflective on my own situation, the wanting to be a filmmaker in a world of the postmodern egotist. I myself have gone through the same stages as Muthana. The egoistical want and seemingly need to become a filmmaker. Muthana as I are one of many products of our time, a generation of lazy, greedy, selfish people, (please note, that I know many people who are not as I am). However, I have gone through that stage, I am now past the need, past the greed and past the selfishness.
I know that in life, especially in the times I have grown up the passion that lies within has to come with sacrifice even if it means not to pursue your dreams. Your film was haunting for me, and was freeing, it allowed me to see myself and how I have changed from that person. As I have said before in other letters, I may never be a professional writer, but I hope that my writing reaches one person at a time, helping them. This is true of anyone's dream, that they hope that their dream reaches others with the hope of change. You have made your dream come true, weather or not anything else happens in this world, you have made your mark on me and others.
It may be overly dramatic, but I have learned that life is dramatic and chaotic. I am recommending this film to others that want to pursue film, to show them the meaning behind their intent. I write for me, I write to find a connection to others, and I write to share my emotions, my wisdom and my life. But now I know that I work to live, I work to feed myself, I work so that I rely on myself which in turn makes me stronger, makes me better, and makes me more apart of the human race. I write these words for me, for you and for others to know it is shameful to be as Muthana is or was, as long as you don't continue to be. To remember that opportunities demand hard work, that friendship demands rules, and people should be respected.
Before anything else let me say this was a wonderful documentary. I honestly believe, the downfall of Muthana was his middle class background, which he talked about briefly. Muthana never had to work for anything in Iraq. So how can we expect him to just start doing it in a foreign country? To me, that sounds a bit unreasonable. I am curious if the Filmmakers considered counseling or group therapy during the filming or afterwards.
I just watched Operation Filmmaker and I was fascinated by the conflict between the willingness of people to help Muthana and the unwillingness of Muthana to help himself.
I just watched your film on operation filmmaker. While I thought that the film was great and that what everyone was trying to do for the aspiring Iraq film maker. I believe that he began to take advantage of the situation, and the producer of the movie finally saw through that. He (Muthana)believed that he was in some way entitled to this great opportunity that was givin to him.
He turned out to be a class ass, and the way that he treated you in London to me was unforgiveable, everyone was trying to help him and he was unwilling to help himself. He made a comment about feeling like you were more important than him because you are an "american" showed his true colors, he did not even want to get a job to support his "dream". He had no respect for you as a woman simply becasue men in that part of the worl do not respect women.
His station in life is not my fault it is not your fault, but he made no attempt to help himself, rather if he did not get his way he had a tempertantrum like a small child. I hope he never achieves his dream as he is not worthy of that.
You are a fantastic film maker.
I think Nina did an tremendous job with such impossible circumstances.
Simply amazing!
where is he now?
Editors note:
An update can be found at >>
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/operationfilmmaker/film.html
Like the filmmaker, I empathized with Muthana until his duplicity and attempts to manipulate everyone with whom he came into contact overwhelmed that empathy. I am moved to say to Liev and Nina and all to whom he lied to serve his own selfish purposes, "I am so sorry." This, from an Irish American 64-year-old attorney from San Francisco -- not because I take responsibility for Muthana's facile lies, but because I feel for you... don't let him sour you, your aims were good and you made a compelling film. Take heart in that.
I found the film was an American interpretation into the psychiatric differences (coping strategies, manipulation and dependance behavior) that become apparent as we strive to mesh American and Arab cultures through observation and confrontation.
I enjoyed the film very much. The story of the iraqui student is just fascinating and the filmaker did a great job showing the complexities of his character and the dynamics of the interactions with his benefactors.
However, the idea that there is an analogy between the good deed portrayed on the film and the US invasion of Iraq is naive. What about the political motives behind this irrational war? Did the Bush Administration engage in this war out of good intentions?? I do not think the rest of the world sees the US foreign policy through the same pink lenses.
I felt the documentary interesting however the director frusterated me to the point that I am writing this as I am watching it. I felt she was not compassionate, sensitive and whiny towards the subject.
So let's get this straight...the Irqi's have billions of our US tax dollars, and this 'man boy' who cannot even wash his own clothes wants a hand out?! Unreal.
Amazing film! I couldn't stop watching...mostly because I hoped so much for a "happy ending". I'd give anything to get the chance to assist in a film production. Perhaps Muthana was too young. It looks like his peers would have had a very different outcome had they been given the chance, yes? Again, amazing film.
Had to add a note to previous: PBS is the finest and purest media in the world. There is absolutely no media to compare to our PBS stations. Thank you for reading this, and my previous email. The situation of this down-trodden person is horrible. There are millions in the USA who are ths desparate. I feel it's about time we take care of our own children first. There's a lot of them and they are growing fast. Kids in China (or Japan) have no summer vacations. They continually study. What good will our needy kids be with other countries ALREADY breaking our backs? I understand, but have no compassion for this Muthana. What would you tell you son to do? How about getting work doing something else - back home!!
First off, wonderful film of a very difficult subject. As the documentary progresses it is easy to see how difficult this would be to make both emotionally and morally. You convey both your own dilemma in being objective while perhaps being taken advantage of at the same time as you show Muthana as human and as such inherently fallible.
It's clear that he is proud and principled yet not as motivated as one would hope. When things begin to go wrong the viewer can both feel the disappointment and empathize with some of the poor choices Muthana makes. I don't think he set out to try and take advantage of anyone or become as desperate as he did in needing money or a country to call home, yet as you watch the film, especially the part where he has you on camera as he says he won't become a burden on you, the viewer cannot help but see what he doesn't at that point. It's as the movie producer tells him as the first Prague project wraps...he should've had a plan but didn't.
In the end it is a very movie piece, both in seeing your vulnerability and Muthana's desperation...coming to understand that we all fall victims to hopes and dreams sometimes. You were both looking for a happy ending but sometimes unbeknownst to us we're working on a tragedy.
Keep making excellent and deeply thought provoking films. And I hope some day Muthana and you can come together as friends and he can appreciate and reflect on the person he was in your film with some objectivity. Not an Iraqui, not as a dishonorable person or any such thing, but as a young man in over his head, that at times did more harm to himself then good.
Best,
Tolga
Muthana was definetely treated differently because he was from a war-torn country; everyone felt guilty that this poor aspiring filmaker was standing in the rubble of his film school and that American bombs had destroyed his future. And boy, did he take advantage of that sympathy and guilt!
Muthana was a spoiled child, whose Mother had made his meals and cleaned his clothes and whose father provided him with a car. He was charming and his overwhelming belief in his abilities as a director made everyone think that he would work hard to be worthy of this wonderful opportunity.
In reading over some of the comments about the film there seems to be the suggestion that his actions, or lack of them, can be blamed on cultural misunderstandings; he did not want to be humiliated in front of the camera, and the people he came in contact with in the West did not appreciate his strong sense of honour.
And what, pray tell, would be so humiliating about looking for a job? I am a high school teacher and have taught my fair share of students from different countries. To outrageously simplify, there seems to be two different types: those who realize that their opportunity in the West is a one shot deal and whose work ethic is phenomenal. The other type are those more like Muthana, who rely on charm and who think the Western experience is cool clothes and parties and girls with Angelina Jolie lips. The most shocking thing in the movie occurs when Muthana goes to a party after he has been given his big break and invited to edit gag reel for the end of the film party. He doesn't even seem to be feel guilty-they should understand that he that he had to go to the party.
But to be honest, one of the most compelling elements of the movie, is the fact that we can all see a little bit of ourself in Muthana. I have attempted to skate by on charm and have not lived up to certain expectations that I led others to believe I was capable of; I have also used tragic experiences in my life to elicit a sympathy and I knew if I told certain details that people would want to help me. I guess my reaction to this film is so strong, because, to a certain extent, I understood Muthana and at the time, was apalled by his behaviour. And, in being apalled at his behaviour, for the first time, I have become appalled at my own.
To be honest, I was very irritated by the end of the film. Muthana is exactly what is wrong with the world today - people thinking they are owed so much for doing so little. This kid has an opportunity of a life time and all he can do is sit around and make excuses for his lack of effort. Yeah, your school was bombed. You lived! You are living off everyone's else's dime now. Get a job. Make money. I put myself through school to become something better than my parents had. This is not a cultural thing either. This is a human problem. Muthana is full of pride, selfishness and laziness. You have plenty of opportunities, take advantage son.
This has to be the most realistic reality film I have seen. After seeing it, I wonder how many other subjects of documentaries and reality TV got fed up at some point and wanted to pull out of the project.
I agree with some of the pros who said that Muthana would be easy to cast as an actor. He reminded me of Sopranos TV star Michael Imperioli.
Clearly Muthana, as he said himself, is a dreamer. He apparently was from a privileged class in Saddam Hussein's Iraq (he said his father was a government employee) although he says his family is Shi'ah and not Sunni. Perhaps he had never had to work or do anything for himself before the regime overthrow. He seemed to behave as a spoiled child who never had to worry about money or any mundane life chores rather than a 25 year old man. However, some of his behavior (getting a job to earn money was beneath his dignity, but asking for a hand out was not nor was lying to save face) might be cultural. Are status, respect, and ego more intense in the culture of Iraq's formerly privileged class? After all, Victorian British aristocracy would only work in certain white collar jobs.
I had the impression that the directors/producers of "Everything Is Illuminated" never considered cultural differences when they came up with the idea to give Muthana the treat of seeing them make their movie (an excellent film, by the way.) That is ironic because culture clash is one of the underlying themes of their own film. I thought that perhaps they should have clarified what they expected of Muthana during their production and the limits of their responsibility for him. Maybe they did but that didn't make it into the documentary.
The film never explained why Muthana didn't ask his own family for financial support. Wouldn't they be the ones to pay his living expenses if he had stayed in Iraq?
For my part this illustrates both the guilt and naivete of certain Americans (and I could put myself in that category - at least at one time). The truth is that this young man was a very spoiled and indulged Muslim male who was long on charm and short on talent. He also did not have the smarts to figure out how to survive in a culture other than his own. He grew up with the typical sense of entitlement of his home country and culture. I don't know that he can ever shake that. I'd say the odds are he won't considering how little he learned during this filming episode. But it made a really great documentary. Thank you.
Muthana's situation is unfortunate. The situation of our children in Appalacia with not much food, clothing, shoes, (if they have shoes they don't match match.) This is a long going situation which I consider a shame to this United States. We have Viet Nam Vets on the street, not to mention many other men, women and children of all ages. This film is pure Propaganda in my opinion. This man "wants" to be a film maker....tough! Enough is enough! The "Ya"ll come" must stop! I, and many many others say, "Go home"! What do YOU have in mind? Educating, feeding and clothing the entire world, trying to "buy" love? Never worked - never will.
Our dreams are often based on something that appears to be within an arm stretched grasp but often the distance the arm must reach is distorted by the ideals we shape before the dream is cultivated. It’s as if we are trying to reach for something that looks close through a lens but is actually far away, or to the right when it is left, or up when it is down.
Muthana was measured by a meter calibrated with a different set of numbers standard to those that lost faith in him. Conversely, he was blind to the opportunities in front of him because he didn’t have the correct prism to see them.
His only chance for success in such a short time was to find someone that could do more than film him, or give him money. He needed a perspective re-alignment. Usually that comes slowly and less deliberate. Epiphanies are rare indeed.
This was much less a story of the unfulfilled expectations of a filmmaker and a young man and more a story of ill conceived displacement. Reaching by a filmmaker to create a happy ending – as was stated – and reaching by a young man that did not know where to extend his arm.
Frank Cavanaugh
Oak Park, Illinois
People all over the world have to work hard and most of the time the work we do is not fun. Jobs are part of life unless you are one of the lucky elite. Ironically, it may of been his fortunate status in Iraq (before the invasion) that may of doomed him to failure when he left. Although he claims to have been middle class in Iraq most middle class Iraqis did not have personal drivers. He never understood that you have to have a job before a career. One has to be taught the importance of responsibility and hard work in order to provide for himself and possibly a family down the road. You blow it Muthana!! You failed your people, family, and more importantly yourself. It was unfortunate to witness Muthana's constant failure to recognize what is important in life...to help your family anyway you can.
My heart went out to Nina Davenport. I was so incredibly frustrated with this young man. If he hadn't been an Iraqui, I think she could have cut her losses and easily walked away. Of course, if Muthana hadn't been an Iraqui, he would never have been given this amazing opportunity!
I absolutely understood her mind/heart conflict. As an American I feel guilty about our involvement in Iraq. But Muthana never seemed to realize or appreciate what he was offered. At the beginning of the documentary I gave him a free pass.
I felt his sense of entitlement might have come from his MTV introduction to American life...is that what young foreigners believe our culture is all about? But as an aspiring filmmaker, "passionately devoted" to the medium, why did he never step up? Why was hethe only person just sliding by? Why was he not taking responsibilty for the filmwork that he was assigned? When we bombed his school did we become responsible for his entire future? I hope the praise and recognition for her documentary fills in for the toll this must have taken on herpersonal life.
Hi....just to start off from a point of pure honesty...my mother's family; herself, my grandfather and grandmother were and are 1st generation American immigrants. I grew up in a house with English and Spanish spoken and South American as well as Scottish and American cultures all mixed up. A nice "Heinz 57" blend of American culture. I'm also one of those "immigration officials" (uncaring?) mentioned in some of the text of your articles on this film. I have worked for CBP (US Customs and Border Protection) for 10 years, being stationed mostly on the border with Mexico but also in Canada and here within the US as well.
We officers are as varied in personality and temperament as are the people we deal with everyday. You cannot lump us in one catagory just as we try very hard not to when doing our jobs. That being said, the film was really great and good insight into one young man's attempts to make a life while fleeing the oppressive atmosphere of Iraq. I truely had mixed feelings towards Muthana, one being sympathetic to his plight and the "maleness" of his culture (his "pride",etc. Reminds me some of the Hispanic culture I grew up in and still live in), and yet I got the impression he did not seem very willing to work (getting a job to support himself, etc.) as a means to not only survive but also to adapt to his new found homes in the West. He did not seem very willing to show those who had given him much in the way of opportunities and support that he was really trying to make it all work out.
Truely mixed feelings towards this guy. So many others, who have been allowed to migrate to the West, have given so much more and worked so much harder. The film left me wanting to believe in Muthana (even understanding the shell-shock of growing up in war-torn Baghdad) but still not feeling quite convinced of his honesty towards others and himself. Great film.
It's striking how feelings of guilt in so many people could cloud accurate perception of this guy intentions and behavior.
For anybody observing him from sidelines he is striking as insincere, self centered, manipulative and full of false pride. Resistant to advice from wishing him well and helping professionals. Spoiled sissy boy, who thinks he is entitled to anything he wants without trying to deserve it with hard work and respect.
He just wanted to get out from Iraq. Movie making was just his pipe dream made believe for others and for himself. It is amazing how many people could he mislead with his lies and despite his disrespect and lack of real commitment.
This is a great documentary with quite unique insight in a common situation where person receiving help demands more and more and instead of gratitude repays with hatred.
I am a loyal viewer of PBS. This evening on Independent Lens was one of the most insensitive pieces of documentary I have ever seen. The young Iraqi filmmaker, Multhana, was hired by Liev Schrieber and later, abandoned. He is told that he needs to plan, to prepare, to stop asking for hand-outs, to become more responsible for himself.
This young did not go looking for Mr. Schrieber. It was Liev and his film crew who went looking for Multhana. Multhana could not return to Iraq. He was have probably been dealt with in the most severe manner. He had little to no money. He had no place to go. He had no apartment to live in. Then the crew treats him like some animal. Well, Multhana is not from our culture and most definitely not from your film crew's culture or subculture. He is a genuinely kind young man trying to be honest with his situation. I would have been more culturally sensitive to his background, his country's political climate, his separation from family and close friends. He was exploited by Liev Schriber. If you don't like my honesty, you have to live with it, no me. I will never rent or watch another Liev Schrieber move again, ever.
I agree with Ms. Davenport's assertion that it is impossible to remain objective, especially as an American. After all, the circumstances of Muthana's life, for better or worse, were drastically altered as a result of the military incursion in Iraq. I think it is safe to say that others strayed from being totally objective by continuing to help Muthana and perhaps letting their sympathy cloud their better judgment. If not sympathy, perhaps it was just naivete that there were simple solutions to his problems. In my opinion, no amount or combination of school, visa extensions, and cash could address the underlying problems of his life.
Throughout the film, I found it difficult to reconcile this sense of responsibility and altruism, with my growing skepticism of Muthana. For instance when Mr. Johnson paid for Muthana's tuition at the London school, I felt hopeful for Muthana yet concerned Mr. Johnson had been seriously deceived.
The point where I ceased to have this conflict came when Muthana essentially explained his pride was preventing him from becoming employed in London. In my view, a person who would take money and deceive those around him, rather than become employed and self-sufficient deserves no pride whatsoever. If this is truly a tenet of an Arabian sense of pride, then Muthana was right. I will never understand.
I just watched the film and I have to give my thanks to people like Nina. Muthana was given an extraordinary opportunity which most people do not get. Considering my situation, I come from a war torn country whose war was popular during 90s (Bosnia), I understand Muthana situation however his approach was wrong.
Originally I understood reason why he was deceiving. He wanted to make sure he did not go back go war. He felt that people around him did not understand that and I feel he was correct. However he was deceiving in his reason on why he did not want to go back and lack of understanding cause complications. There was lack of understanding from everyone around him that changes he was going through and impact of war and family that is left behind had on his psyche.
However as movie progressed Muthana went from grateful to demanding. Amount of effort that Nina and other have gone through to help him become someone is simply astonishing. Muthana failed to take that opportunity and frankly did not deserve the amount of attention that he got. He was feeling full of himself which was wrong. Fact that he never tried to get a job or that he never tried to really do anything to make money is disgrace to any person who was ever helped.
Similar to him, my family came to USA with 2 bags and our brains. Now I have multiple Master degrees and have a great job and friends. I feel he is more than capable of doing it on his own so my advice is that instead of helping him, have him fight through the world on his own so he learns how to be independent. Helping him right now is in fact actually hurting him.
Nina et. al., from a person who came with nothing I would like to again thank you for all of the effort you have given this person in need. You have done your job many times over helping Muthana and now you can walk away with your head high.
I found Muthana to be a selfish,lying,lazy conman. I have no pity for him for squandering one opportunity after another and expecting, no, demanding others to take responsibility for his life. I guarantee you that he will fail in the US so he should just go back to Iraq. And that last shot where he says "I'm real..." Please!
I really doubt that a kid from the 'hood of kansas city with aspirations to be a film director would be given the opportunities that Muthana got. Especially with the same attitude and lack of motivation that Muthana displayed. There are thousands of kids just like Muthana with probably more talent and hunger and sincerity who could'nt get close to a movie-set,or a free ride through film school, or visas to Prague and London.
One thing Muthana learned is that Americans love winners, but if you are not out the starter-gate early, your on your own!!!! It must have been totally frustrating for Nina Davenport to document. I give her an award for perserverence. I hope that Muthana was just showing immaturity, because then life will make him wiser, and therefore redeemable.
I just caught operation filmmaker on PBS. Although I did not catch it from the beginning I was really disturbed by Muthana's vignette of Mia and the conclusion of the story, was anyone in team disturbed by this proposed story??? Also was it ever taken into account that Nina was a female filmmaker automatically throwing a wrench in the documentary from the beginning. Was this put out on the table it seems there were a lot of elephants in the room due to common American ignorance. I think there was a blatant display of ignorance for the muslim culture and I hope you will air this in its entirety on the web page so I can review it again from the beginning in case I have missed some of these dialogues.
It reminds me of the token syndrome and I am glad it came around to bite the filmmaker in the ass. I think a multicultural, psychology course should be looked into if you have intentions of continuing your work with these themes. I hope I can re-review the film in its entirety and follow-up if I have rushed to judgment, but look forward to contributing further thoughts regarding the parallel with american bratty spoiled 25 year olds and how this man was held to much higher standards because of his plight.
I just watched the film and I think Nina did a fantastic job and I thank her and everyone for supporting and participating in this project.
The main question I'm left with is why Muthana believes so strongly that everyone else owes him something. He is a master manipulator of peoples emotions but he is not willing to work to support his own goals. From my perspective, he has been handed a tremendous amount of money and opportunity from many individuals - I wish someone would give me those graces.
Am I being too hard on him? He has been through a horrific war and lived through things I cannot understand. I don't know. Deep down I guess I truly believe that he will always be as he is in the film - asking for handouts and expecting everything from others. Sad.
S. Bock
I believe that the contrast of life that Muthana lived was the key point in his failure to reach his dreams quickly. He stated several times that he came from a Well to do type of life style. Although he was from a war torn country his life was one of many comforts as he described. His mother washed and cooked for him and he was use to a easy life at home. I believe in his situation that with age will come wisdom and hopefully he will reach his dreams.
I am a African American in Chicago who would like nothing more than a chance to be in his shoes. I would not let that opportunity fail. It is my dream as well to Direct movies as I feel that I have a Distinct and unique personality that would astonish the film world. If you are considering helping someone to succeed an making a remarkable impression on the film world please consider me for your next project.
Kind Regards
Excellent film! I was astounded at how selfish the subject of your movie became throughout the filming process. How did you deal with that?
I believe you and Muthana becamed attached and each crossed in their own way to get what they wanted. He called you back after six months, I believe you knew what he wanted again and he knew what you wanted. When I see what he has learned about American people it angers me. He has learned how giving and gullible but how to use this because basically no one told him no, but he also seen how greed works and what some people will do to get what they want.
Very good documentary. I saw it as the age old story of how hard work usually yields success. Work ethic is learned. It is gained by humble work. Muthana has not learned this lesson yet.
A great film and a sad story: Muthana and Nina struggle through a never ending series of problems - some brought upon them by other people and circumstance, others self-inflicted. Through the entire duration of time covered in film, Muthana appears shell shocked from both war and then a sudden change of circumstances. A person who knows, and is constantly reminded by his friends and family of the fact, that he is lucky to have escaped the war and its horrors, he is expected to miraculously and almost instantly transform from a mere dreamer into an artist. Nina does a great job documenting at first Muthana's discoveries and then her own misunderstandings and desperate efforts to make things better. Being an immigrant, I would disagree with Nina's film making partner/co-director. I do not think that Muthana is a manipulative user. He is a person who is trying to survive. In his case surviving means being outside of Iraq. And like immigrants who cross sea in flimsy boats hopping just to get to escape their countries, he is doing the same. We cannot judge him because his boat was Liev/Nina/Film School etc...
Like often it is in life (or as Muthana would say - "real" life ) there are no truly evil people or saints in this entire film (perhaps only "The Rock" and Muthana's roommate in London come close).
The director, and, with her, the audience end up stuck in this dysfunctional relationship that at some points turns almost sexual - we spend third the film with this guy in bed, and at times it is violent.
There was only one flow in the film that I can point out - we never really see much evidence of Muthana's passion for film or even story telling. So the obvious question comes up, as also expressed by one of the people in the documentary, does he really want to make films or is he just telling us what we want to hear...
Nina - thank you for a great film.
Muthana - good luck.
This documentary does not clearly show both sides of the story. On footage, Muthana is portrayed as someone to be helped, someone who will emerge, someone who is doing his best in a foreign environment, doing something that he loves. Yet the director says that Muthana is only asking too much, that he was given the right opportunity and he's not making much of anything. How can he help himself?
The director takes him from his home and puts him in the middle of a foreign country, in a totally different environment and tells him to be professional and help himself. I would like to see it vice versa. If these same directors were to go to iraq and was told to help themselves, make the most of it, what would happen? The screen doesn't portray Muthana as an dishonest person; however, everyone else portrays him this way. This superficial kindness is just unreal. Bottom line, the risk for these rich people is a few dollars; the risk for Muthana is death. My 2 cents.
Yes, everyone felt sorry for him, in some ways rightly so, but he was just a spoiled rich kid who now had to deal with real life. I worked with refugees, some were great and grateful, others never stopped asking for help, and when you refused they were insulted. In the end, we must all make our own way.
I think that the portrayal of Muthana in this movie made him out to be an opportunist. This was very upsetting to watch. I don't think it was a fair portrayal. They took a young man out of a war torn land. The situation lent itself to make this poor man dependent on Americans who had an agenda to be heroes and use him to their advantage.
I feel like the directors who offered him the internship were well-meaning but how did they expect someone who is not Americanized to react? I feel like this young man was put in a situation where his only means of survival and becoming acculturated where to ask people for help (monetary & emotional). He had no family nearby and there was no denying that his life would be in danger if he returned to his country. I'm happy that he is still in London working on his film career and I assume he has found a job. I would have like to have seen one of the original people who brought him on as an intern make an effort to become more of a mentor to him. (or at the very least try to make an effort to see his point of view) and reach across the cultural divide. Really interesting film but because of the portrayal (which was seen through very American eyes) it left me feeling very sad.
I viewed this documentary right after reading THE GLASS CASTLE, a true story of personal struggle and triumph of Jeannette Walls, an accomplished journalist and writer. The characters approach in obtaining their dreams could not be more different. I can not help but see similarities between the main character of OPERATION FILMMAKER , Muthana and the abusive alcoholic father of Jeannette that makes unreasonable and contrived demands of the people trying to help him realize his goals.
The experience that Muthana created was one that encouraged manipulation and abusive behavior. I am compassionate to the situation of an Iraqi man putting himself in a vulnerable position with Americans and Jewish film makers but I do not respect the lacksidasical attitude that was reinforced time and time again.
I appreciate this film for the lessons it has taught me in my own journey to succeed. From this film I have learned the invaluable lesson of much needed clear communication with the people I am most interested in learning from. I take from this film a sense of pride in my own dreams and objectives and will take time to explain them in hopes of advice and opportunity. The compassion of people who have similar dreams to aid in the success of "people like themselves" has provided a new vein to explore in getting to where I want to go.
This is a beautiful documentary that not only illustrated a fantastic struggle of both the subject and film maker but provided a gem of information that I can take with me for the rest of my life.
Thank You.
Just watched this film and thought it was very powerful. I resonate with the director on the parellel conflicts with the Iraqi war. But easily he turned from grateful to "entitled". Most likely due to the influence of being around the big shots in the first film he participated in. I want to put all the blame on him and his selfish attitude, but I probably would be that same guy if I were brought up in his shoes too.
I just watched this doc on PBS on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008.
Interesting, compelling, frustrating, but ultimately telling.
Muthana is no special subject. He happens to come from a war ravaged country, yes, but is not so different from many people we have all met sometime in life in our own countries of origins from anywhere in the world. The commonality being poor work ethic and sheer laziness with a good measure of poor self esteem thrown in.
This should be the real story. That's what I took away from this. It's not cultural misunderstandings, it's someone feeling sorry for themselves and feeding off the charity of others. His African roomate in London echoed this by reminding us that Muthana is not the only one coming from dire circumstances. In Muthana's own words he also admits to living a middle class lifestyle in Iraq before the war.
I wanted to like Muthana, and I hoped the best for him, but alas he blew countless opportunities to truly shine.
The fact is not everyone has the work ethic that the directors, producers and actors were expecting from Muthana. I think they romanticized themselves with the idealistic vision that they would change this man's life and come to some happy ending.
He took advantage of so many people, it's a shame. But it's not unique. Isn't there someone at least once in our lives that begged us for help, and came back for more help, and promised that would be the last time?
In my humble opinion that is all that has been documented here, though it still was interesting to watch.
Thank you.
I come from a country that is a mix of western and eastern influences. In a way for me it is easy to understand both worlds. This kid had plenty and rare opportunities given to him but from what the film showed he did not take advantage of. I can relate with him in many levels but at the same time he made me upset. I can understand his distrust since this was the first time he came in contact with people from all kinds of walks of life and different countries. Your mind plays nasty games in those situations. Cultural shock at its finest form. I went through that. You just shut down because you do not know if you are there to be the court jester or you are there because people do really want to help you. On the other hand however, from what I saw in the film he had few moments were he had the chance to make a real connection. For few minutes I was hoping that he would see in Dwayne Johnson what they call "keeping it real" and be inspired by that. Inspired by how down to earth and kindly Dwayne treated him.
That is what happened to me. I met few people in my journey that I clicked with. They helped my mind calm down. Not because they had "a talk" with me but because I admired their simplicity and their willinges to embrace me. That helped me a lot.
But I do not know why he did not allow him self to be taken away by the moment. He had people around him that wanted to have an honest talk with him in order for them to find out what he wants to do.
The chance he was given to do some editing work. When somebody trusts you like that you do not let them down. You appreciate the chance and you bleed to death to make them happy. Actions speak louder than words.
Those are the small precious moments I mentioned above. The rest is just noise.
When those moments come along, you do whatever it takes to show your appreciation. Nobody expects perfection. Perfection cannot be achieved. What people appreciate however is hard work. Hard work is the road that points to perfection.
Those few people that really championed for him expected that from him and I can talk from personal experience and say that when they see that, they will go way out of their way to help you.
I've written and rewritten this comment several times. I've felt such a strong reaction to this film on many levels and find myself struggling to summarize my thoughts up without writing a novel. I'll try my hardest.
I am an American.
I am a musician.
I am an artist.
I feel for Muthana and was supportive of him throughout most of the movie.
I was proud to see so many in the film industry come to help him. Rock, that was awesome. I have a music school tuition you're more than glad to help with any day.
I think this film exposes a truth about human nature on many levels. Here are a few:
-That many Americans have tremendous guilt about the war in Iraq and are willing to go to extremes to make amends. I saw this in the constant money-giving, the visa-renewing, and accepting Muthana into film and acting school on what I perceive to be no other grounds than sympathy.
-Mooches live in all countries. And, I'm sorry Muthana, but you're a mooch. Get a job, take some initiative, and live your life without having to owe anyone anything. Be grateful for the opportunity you've been given and honor those who helped by TAKING SOME INITIATIVE.
-Finally, I've found that many people who helped Muthana didn't truly think about the outcome of their generosity. Many of them walked away feeling better about themself (SELFISH giving) with little or not thought to the consequences for Muthana. If you continue to give give give to Muthana he then becomes dependent and no-longer knows how to take care of himself. Thus, the 'givers' walk away feeling self-righteous and fulfilled and Muthana continues to live a life full of dependency and distrust.
Finally, my congratulations to the director. You did great! Please don't feel as though you've let down Muthana in any way. There's a part of the documentary where you're questioning whether or not you've done the right thing...you have. Muthana needs to be thankful for the gifts you gave him. Good luck in the future!
-ej
I loved this doc. I think there were some good points made about how his ego was blown up by being treated and made to feel special, it was a shame that he never realised it tho. But having been through film school he wasn't the first person I've seen (including myself) let those ego demons get him. I wanted to know if the director ever got her tapes and equipment back from him.
With a son in media (TV, film, and ads), and having and the opportunity of seeing him and a full crew in action on set, I really appreciate the energy, drive, and commitment I have seen in most film makers and in my son.
Muthana unfortunately didn't have the drive, passion, love or a story burning inside. He didn't understand the opportunity that was given. He comes across as a spoiled opportunist taking no responsibility for his own shortcomings and not even learning from his past mistakes.
On the flip side, "we" see him as a "charity case", or sympathetic victim and "we" are entangled by out guilt of "bombing his country". We continue to offer opportunity, and he "uses" us.
This part of the story is the same as taking a kid from inner city poverty in the US. "We" are guilty of his plight (poverty, past slavery, poor support of inner city schools, bad government, simply pick your cause). Our benevolent spirit gives him a chance and we are disappointed and walk when we can.
This is the story that is the "universal" truth. Good deeds driven by "guilt" are subject to abuse.
Painful as editing was, more would have helped. I watched it all but knew the outcome long before you seemed to. My wife gave up long before me.
I did like it. It is instructive. I run a weekend leadership program for inner city 8th Graders in St. Louis (Rotary Club of St. Louis). A much more edited version of this could be a real discussion item.
There is a sucker born every minute, Nina Davenport. I found myself getting madder and madder as the film progressed, and yet I watched the whole, disgusting diatribe from Muthana Mohmed, fooling everyone with his ever changing story about his life in Baghdad, where his mother cooked his meals and washed his clothes. And people like "the Rock" who has so much money that he was suckered in by feeling sorry for this loser.
What a horrible show. A bunch of arrogant Hollywood film makers make total asses out of themselves.
Where to they get off "bringing" this boy into their business knowing that he has a huge culteral gap as well as a lack of education. Expecting him to be "grateful"? That's just sad. They should watch their own show again and leave their over-inflated egos somewhere else.
How things changed when the project proved that many in Iraq approved of the war against the insurgants. That was one big Bush he had to swallow. For goodness sakes, grow up! A shameful product of thoughtless behavior and stupidity someone immoralized by marketing this film.
I have to say, first and foremost, how powerful this documentary is. There are so many dimensions, that I simply don't know where to begin. I suppose I should begin by saying I resonate with the Muthana, at the same time I absolutely loathe him. As an adolescent male, a native of a third world african country, living in the United States, and an aspiring Graphic Designer, photographer and videographer, I empathize with Muthana.
However, the one thing I have always been taught is to never bite the hand that feeds you, or to burn your bridges. I am thankful that he had someone to tell his story, and to save him from his bad decision despite his negligence and sometimes lack of determination. I don't know whether it is because I've been entrenched in American society for almost 12 years, but I would never do anything to jeopardize an opportunity handed to me by Hollywood.
I have to admit, I have done pretty well for myself. I can attribute that to my fear of going back to my country (albeit better than most) and living out an unfulfilling quality of life. Muthana comes from one of the worst of social economical and political situations imaginable. In most cases, people who make it out continue on in a path of utter dedication and focus to attaining their dreams. Muthana's attitude depicted in the documentary is contradictory, and quite frankly insulting to those who really are yearning for someone to give them a break.
I feel as if the only thing preventing me from dismissing Muthana altogether is pity. Pity because of circumstances in Iraq that he is in no way responsible for; I don't want to pity him. He's gotten his future handed to him on a silver platter, but he also wants to be hand-fed. I only wish the more sensible of us could be given such a chance.
Although I find Ms.Davenport's angle on Muthana's story an interesting one, I found Muthana himself to be a very unlikeable character. What a spoiled little boy! As an Arab myself (who happens to be married to an Iraqi), I find it reprehensible and embarrassing for Muthana to exploit his supposed hardship and misuse so blatantly the kindness and generosity of all his patrons (Nina, "The Rock", Liev, etc.)
Iraq has been devastated and many opportunities lost to its people; so for this spoiled brat (and completely disengenuous one at that) to so selfishly squander one amazing opportunity after another is hugely disappointing! Finally...I was a little curious as to why Ms. Davenport, as a documentary filmmaker, allowed herself to get so incredibly involved and didn't just cut this kid off a lot sooner!?
I don't think you should have any guilt about what the US is doing to his country. It wasn't something that you chose to do. I do think that although you're intentions may have been noble, you may have exploited Muthana somewhat.
As for Muthana, I feel he only was reaching for whatever he could get in order to attain his dream. He was no fool, and I think there was a bit of exploitation on his part as well. If he ever expects to become a filmmaker, he needs to work a bit harder and swallow his pride.
I don't think Muthana was treated differently because of his background - it was his unrealistic attitude. He had an unwillingness to really work hard, struggle himself, push himself to realize his somewhat confused dreams. Perhaps coming from a middle-class family where he had so much (as he indicated) he was not prepared to work hard and become really single-minded. He kept expecting people to hand him everything. Sounds like he really used people.
The story is fascinating.
Muthana caught alot of breaks and perhaps did not make the most of them; however, he is so young and just finding himself.
The most compelling part of the film is the close-up scene near the end of the movie as he attempts to explain himself to the filmmaker and says, "I will make it because I am real.."
I really enjoyed the folm, however I believe that the subject of the film was more of a taker than someone who was willing to pay his own way to follow his dream. I think he snookered a lot of people who felt sorry for him. will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
This documentary was excellent; yet very disturbing. I felt it really presented an "American" point of view, sadly lacking in heartfelt compassion for this man,from Irag. My heart goes out to him.
how did you manage with this character? what a manipulator, selfish, dishonest, egomaniac? you should have picked up his friend, Reza i think was his name. way more thoughtful and honest.
sorry for you. i respect you, your patience and your humanity. i know a bit about this culture. not different from mine. have ten of them for a dime.
did he succeed in NY?
Ms. Davenport either succeeded in pushing a young man into film making or into a terrorist!
