Fyr Posted August 8, 2005 Premiering at AFI FEST 2003, The Letter was written and directed by Ziad H. Hamzeh (Shadow Glories), and produced by Hamzeh, Bert Brown and Marc Sandler. The film chronicles the turmoil economically struggling and overwhelmingly white Lewiston, Maine faced when 1,100 former Somali refugees relocated there en-masse in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy - referred to at the time as the "Somali invasion" by the international news media. Passions were enflamed when Lewiston's then mayor, Larry Raymond, wrote an open letter to the Somali community asking them to tell friends and family not to move into the city. The ensuing controversy pitted anti-immigration white supremacist groups against local community activists supporting the Somalis, culminating in simultaneous competing rallies that necessitated the largest police action in Maine's history to ensure the safety of the city's residents. In addition to its AFI FEST 2003 debut, The Letter won the International Spirit Award for Best Documentary at the 2004 Boston International Film Festival, was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2004 Pan-African Film Festival, and was selected to open the 2004 Amnesty International Film Festival in Pittsburgh. The Letter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Castro Posted August 8, 2005 Can't wait to see it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacpher Posted August 9, 2005 Is this downloadable? If yes, is there a link? I would love to see it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fyr Posted August 10, 2005 Originally posted by Ducaqabe: Is this downloadable? If yes, is there a link? I would love to see it. If it comes across my access vicinity I’ll be delighted to upload it for your all folks to share with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nephissa Posted August 10, 2005 ^^Nice picture. So "The Letter" is not coming to the big screen? :mad: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Animal Farm Posted August 10, 2005 Did this air on PBS? I seen this clip once about a Somali documentary, people in Seatle protesting cuz the FBI ravaged a halaal shop - one guy was like 'do you think i have the time to be a terrorist, i can't even pay my rent' and some next broad was like 'we just want the american dream' - the clip was intense. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
