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A father strives to understand why his son would leave America behind to attempt to join a terrorist organization abroad. 

Synopsis

Twenty-five years after Yusuf Abdurahman left Somalia as a refugee to begin his life anew in Minnesota, his worst fear is realized when his 19-year-old-son Zacharia is arrested in an FBI counterterrorism sting operation. Through the eyes of a father striving to understand why his young son would leave his American life behind to attempt to join a terrorist organization in a foreign country, Accept the Call explores racism and prejudice against immigrants, the rise of targeted recruitment by radicalized groups, and the struggles of Muslim youth growing up in the US today. This intimate film captures the story of this father and son attempting to mend their relationship, after breaking each other’s hearts.

“We don’t, as a society, look for the goodness in people. There’s always two sides to a story, if not more.” - Ikraan Abdurahman, film subject, Accept the Call

“They presume that not only are these boys guilty but the whole Somali community is guilty. They are on trial but so is the Somali community. So is the black community. So is the Muslim community. So is the immigrant community.” - Community activist, Accept the Call 

 

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Credits

Eunice Lau

Director

As a screenwriter and filmmaker, Eunice seeks to bring a cinematic form to her documentary films to evoke visceral emotions in audience. Her feature documentary “A-Town Boyz” is the recipient of Spike Lee Fellowship, and her short film “Through the Fire” was a finalist at the 2013 Student Academy Awards. "Accept the Call" is a continuum of her exploration on the definition of the American identity and capturing the journey of the immigrant.