Being Osama

Shot against the cultural backdrop of Montreal, the film follows the six Osamas from the time of the American invasion of Iraq in March of 2003 to the anti-WTO demonstrations in late July of the same year. Touching on subjects as diverse as Arab names, rock-n-roll, religion, Middle East politics, weddings, funerals and the meaning of identity, Being Osama is a sensitive and thoughtful portrait of six unique individuals and of the new Canada in which they live. Through a series of interviews and by observing their daily lives, the film explores how sharing a first name with the world’s most notorious terrorist can shape perception and prejudice. Touching upon such subjects as Arab names, rock-n-roll, religion, stereotypes, Middle East politics, marriage, mortality and the meaning of identity, BEING OSAMA is a sensitive and thoughtful portrait of these six unique individuals. “The film depicts the diversity of Arabs and Arab cultures as well as the contradictions with the stereotypes…a serio-comic documentary with an authentic voice.” –The Montreal Mirror