17th-Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival, Day Three: ‘American Jihadist’

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CHICAGO – What makes a person willing to kill and die for their religion? Day Three of the Chicago Underground Film Festival kicks off with a compelling documentary called “American Jihadist,” the story of Isa Abdullah Ali, a citizen of the USA who became an enemy of the state.

American Jihadist follows Ali’s journey, from Washington, DC, poverty – where he born Clevin Rapheal Holt – through his personal quest for justice as an international struggle. From the Jihad against the Soviet Union in their Afghan Conflict through the Lebanese Civil War (where he became the only American Muslim known to fight there), Ali raged with both his physical will and psychological demons. He later was labeled as a “known terrorist” by the U.S. Defense Department, although he was never charged with a crime.

The Battle Scars of Isa Abdullah Ali in ‘American Jihadist’
The Battle Scars of Isa Abdullah Ali in ‘American Jihadist’
Photo credit: Hype Media Productions

Director Mark Claywell profiles and speaks to Isa Abdullah Ali himself, and explores the background of his attitudes and travels through interviews with authors, counter terrorism consultants, CIA profilers and Ali’s relatives to find the man behind the ideology.

American Jihadist was named The Best Documentary Film at The Slamdance Film Festival in January of 2010.

Chicago Underground Film Festival: Schedule for Saturday June 26th –
All Films at the Gene Siskel Film Center

Star1:15pm: “Shorts Program Two: F is for Fate”

Star3pm: “American Jihadist” and “Lay Claim to an Island”

Star4:45pm: “Life is Unpredictable: Films by Jonas Mekas”

Star6pm: “Wasteland Utopias”

Star7pm: “Some Days Are Better Than Others” and “Anonaminal”

Star9:15pm: “Americatown” and “Tennessee Waltz”

Star9:15pm: “Shorts Program Three: Television Personalities”

The Chicago Underground Film Festival runs through Wednesday, July 1st. For schedule information and ticket details, click here.

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2010 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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