A Thousand and One Journeys: The Arab Americans

  • A Thousand and One Journeys: The Arab Americans
Genre : Biography
Type : Documentary
Original title :
Principal country concerned : Column : Cinema/tv
Year of production : 2015
Format : Feature
Running time : 84 (in minutes)
http://www.facebook.com/arabamericandoc/

Abe Kasbo's timely new film vividly paints a portrait of the Arab-American immigrant experience through the stories of people who came to the United States hoping to find the American Dream, including Senator George Mitchell, Jamie Farr, General John Abizaid, Anthony Shadid, Andy Shallal, Helen Thomas, and others. This is the often untold story of nearly 200 years of enrichment of the American fabric by immigrants from the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf to the United States, a uniquely American story that provides viewers with a first-ever documentary of the Arab Americans experience told through the eyes of famous and everyday people.
With historical immigration patterns as background, the film explores the personal stories of Arab-Americans and how they have contributed to the collective American experience. At a time when the media tends to paint Arab peoples and culture with the broad brush of terrorism, it is increasingly important to present a positive image of the many people of Middle Eastern, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula who have made America their home, and highlight their American journey as an important part of the larger American Experience.
As director Abe Kasbo put it, "The Arab American experience is truly an American story. Just like Polish and Italian Americans, the immigration of Arabs to the United States and their evolution into integral, productive citizens is a purely American phenomenon. As Americans we can only complete our story when we recognize everyone else's story." -Various Sources

A film by Abe KASBO

United States, 2015, Documentary, 84 minutes, Color, Digital

starring Jamie Farr, Ralph Nader, Senator George Mitchell, Anthony Shadid, General John Abizaid, Congressman Nick Rahal, Bobby Rahal, Maysoon Zayid, Dean Obeidallah



Director: Abe Kasbo

CAST
Some of the Arab-Americans interviewed are:
Fatina Abdrabboh - Attorney
Gen. John Abizaid - Retired US Army General, former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
Jamie Farr - Actor, philanthropist
Malek Jandali - Composer, pianist.
Philip Kayal, PhD - Professor of sociology and anthropology.
Sen. George Mitchell - Former United States Senator from Maine, Senate Majority Leader, Diplomat, Businessman.
Ralph Nader - Consumer advocate, activist, presidential candidate, author, lecturer and attorney.
Dean Obeidallah - Comedian, CNN Contributor.
Bobby Rahal - American racing legend.
Anthony Shadid - Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, foreign correspondent for the New York Times & Washington Post. Anthony Shadid passed away on February 16, 2012 as he was fleeing Syria while reporting on the Syrian uprising.
Helen Thomas - Journalist
Maysoon Zayid - Comedian, actress, activist.
Congressman Nick Rahall - US House of Representatives, 1977 - 2015
John Zogby - Political pollster and founder of the Zogby Poll, opinion leader and author.
Andy Shallal - Restaurateur and philanthropist
Helen Samhan, PhD - Executive Director, Arab American Institute Foundation
Jo Ann Byrnes - Social Worker
Rev. Basil Koory - Pastor, St. George Antiochian Cathedral
Cherrefe Kadri - Council Member, Islamic Center of Greater Toledo
Suri Kassier - Founder/President of Kasirer Consulting in New York City
Jack G. Shaheen, PhD - Author & Lecturer

Mr Abe Kasbo: Executive Producer, Director, Writer
Ms Gia M. Amella; Writer, Editor
Martin Nelson
James K. Blake III
Gaida: Composer
Heather Raffo: The narrator
Dr. Phil Kayal: Associate Producer
Jules Armstrong
Nick Juzdan: marketing assistant

Producer: Abe Kasbo

Production: Zeitoune FilmWorks
26 Park St. Suite 100
Montclair, NJ 07042
+1 973-287-6868

2016 | 14th Annual Garden State Film Festival, Atlantic City, NJ, USA
* Winner Home Grown Documentary Feature
www.gsff.org/past-festivals/2016-winners/

2015 | 20th Arabian Sights - Washington DC 2015
* Selection
* American Premiere
* Screening: Saturday - October 17 - 6:30 PM - AMC Mazza Gallerie - $13.00. FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION. In Person: Director Abe Kasbo
* Sunday October 18 - 7:00 PM - AMC Mazza Gallerie - $13.00 -
FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION. In Person: Director Abe Kasbo
www.filmfestdc.org/arabiansights/filmView.cfm?passID=10

Partners

  • Arterial network
  • Media, Sports and Entertainment Group (MSE)
  • Gens de la Caraïbe
  • Groupe 30 Afrique
  • Alliance Française VANUATU
  • PACIFIC ARTS ALLIANCE
  • FURTHER ARTS
  • Zimbabwe : Culture Fund Of Zimbabwe Trust
  • RDC : Groupe TACCEMS
  • Rwanda : Positive Production
  • Togo : Kadam Kadam
  • Niger : ONG Culture Art Humanité
  • Collectif 2004 Images
  • Africultures Burkina-Faso
  • Bénincultures / Editions Plurielles
  • Africiné
  • Afrilivres

With the support of