Enemy Alien September 4, 2018
feature documentary
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Enemy Alien documentary

Enemy Alien documentary
The fight to free a Palestinian immigrant from detention through the eyes of the grandson of Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II.

Of great importance to American democracy, Enemy Alien is both timely and moving. We ignore its message at our peril.

Gary Y. Okihiro, Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University
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Amazing…An exposé of the first order!

Satsuki Ina, Director, Children of the Camps

A Japanese American filmmaker confronts his own family legacy of World War II incarceration as he joins the fight to free Farouk Abdel-Muhti, a Palestinian-born activist detained in a post-9/11 sweep of Muslim immigrants.

  • Courage in Media Award – Council for American-Islamic Relations, Los Angeles

  • Pacific Asian Community Alliance Courage Award

  • Jason D. Mak Award for Social Justice

As the grandson of Japanese American citizens who were interned during WWII, filmmaker Konrad Aderer brings a unique perspective to this story of the fight by Abdel-Muhti’s son and others to free the human-rights activist. The charismatic Abdel-Muhti continued his activism in prison, leading fellow inmates on a hunger strike and using every opportunity to speak out against mistreatment of the detainees. Intercutting prison and other footage are family photos and reminiscences from Aderer family members. This film, which allows us to see parallels between the treatment of Muslims following 9/11 and Japanese Americans in WWII, is a strong reminder of the fragility of human rights and an excellent discussion prompter.

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