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Jihad!

🎞️ Movie 110 min --
โ˜… 7.3 /10 2004

JIHAD! In Arabic, translates as striving, struggling, a zeal or effort and has two connotations: A lesser Jihad and a greater Jihad. This movie focuses on the later through the personal struggles of its main character Ed, a Palestinian-American living in a pre-911 New York City, and as reflected in the lives of his friends and family. Cousin Salaam's unanticipated visit to New York City, which is precipitated by a close friends death in Ramallah (Palestine) brings up repressed conflicts for Ed as he pursues an affair with Hanna, a married American women. Ed's romantic fixation for Hanna belies a greater more cultural relationship between the mid-east's attraction for the west and its struggle to come to terms with its limitations. Hanna holds the promise of a new romantic life yet one which is hopelessly wedded to it's own contradictions. Salaam at first is representative of many Arab stereotypes, but surprisingly reveals a more accurate portrayal of Palestinians in general. His visit triggers haunting memories for Ed of a past-repressed life under occupation. Their discussions highlight differences in political, cultural, as well as ideological definitions about freedom, Islam and of course the meaning of Jihad. Harold, a University Dean of Theology, tries to shed light on the definition of Jihad with the two, and later exposes a perdition that exposes his own Jihadic conflict. Harold expresses a darker more obsessive reaction to the temptations of the west. JIHAD! Cries out for a greater definition then the one we have come to understand post 911. Through the lens of its writer/director Muhammed Rum it becomes a prism by which we can discover the striving, struggles and zeal of the lives of those caught between worlds.

Cast

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James Arnold
Harold
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Erik Carrion
Fidel
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Gerry Goodstein
Lawyer
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Hussam Hamadeh
Ed
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Bianca Kozlowicz
Miya
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Lana Nasser
Laila
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Edgar Oliver
The Jinn
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Rick Poli
Teacher
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Jeff Robins
Matt
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Muhammed Rum
Kamis
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Jan Bratslavsky
Composer
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Nara Garber
Cinematographer
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Ben Wolfe
Cinematographer