The Arabic Cafe

Authors: Maia
Location: LA

"The Arabic Cafe"

Directed by Mike Nichols
Written by Tony Kushner
Cinematography by Stephen Goldblatt
Original Music by Elliot Goldenthal
Edited by Martin Walsh
Produced by Steven Spielberg

Principal Cast:

Naveen Andrews as Ghalib Selin
Jamie Bell as Charlie Smith
Ed Harris as Anthony Smith
Kate Bosworth as Linda Smith
Salma Hayek as Sister Nora
Ben Kingsley as Omar

Tagline: "On December 14, 2007… You’ll find an unexpected ally”

“Friendships are born in the most unlikely places”

Synopsis: A NY teenager (Bell) tortured by his mother’s recent murder finds an escape from his shattered family and mediocre school life in an unusual friendship with the mysterious Palestine owner of an Arabic coffee shop (Andrews) in his neighborhood.

As the two become closer, they discover that both need a getaway from their unhappiness and soon begin to plot the most terrifying plan to achieve it.

What the press would say:

Mike Nichols’ crude and provocative “The Arabic Café” is the bravest and most honest look at terrorism in our country in the last decade! This powerful drama studies the social causes of terrorism by joining two different characters that have lost all hope in society and that become dependent of each other in Nichols’ most subtle style.

Naveen Andrews is excellent as the suicidal Ghalib Selin, a man who wants to honor his dying father’s (Kingsley) last wish by planning the ultimate terrorist attack to New York City. The young Jamie Bell is equally fantastic as the pivotal Charlie Smith, a character that demands the actor to explore feelings like sorrow, anger, impotence and hate; and that he accomplishes with solid determination (nailing the NY accent to perfection along the way). Supporting jobs by Ed Harris as Charlie’s alcoholic and abusive father next to Ben Kingsley extraordinary job as Ghalib’s fanatic father and Al-Qaeda’s supporter are worthy of all their Oscar buzz. Salma Hayek is also terrific as Sister Nora, a devoted catholic nun that symbolically represents Charlie’s conscience but that is trapped in moral dilemma when she and Charlie become “too” close. Kate Bosworth rounds up the cast as Charlie’s older sister and confident.

Gripping exploration of human nature by Tony Kushner’s screenplay provides the characters with substance and, even if we disagree, with a logic to their horrifying actions. Look out for the film’s divisive final act! Left and right-wing politicians won’t stop talking about it! Will Charlie and Ghalib succeed in their selfish seek of healing? Or Not?

“The Arabic Café” is an unusual and controversial film but a master piece nonetheless, Mike Nichols has given the world a film without agendas and one that will probably win Best Picture next March.

Consider this film for the next awards:

Best Picture (AMPAS)
Best Picture – Drama (HFPA)
Best Actor – Naveen Andrews
Best Actor – Jamie Bell
Best Supporting Actor – Ed Harris
Best Supporting Actor – Ben Kingsley
Best Supporting Actress – Salma Hayek
Best Original Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Original Score