“THE LETTER”, Hamzeh Mystique Films and Harron Entertainment’s controversial feature-length documentary, will make its world premiere as an official selection of the 2003 AFI International Film Festival in Los Angeles. The film explores what American news outlets have dubbed the “Somali invasion” of Lewiston, Maine, an insulated, predominately white, former mill town struggling to maintain its equilibrium in a rapidly changing economy.

Written and directed by Ziad H. Hamzeh, and produced by Hamzeh, Bert Brown and Marc Sandler, “THE LETTER” probes the reactions of city officials and citizens to the sudden influx of 1,100 former Somali refugees who, deciding that Lewiston offers the best of all environments, choose to relocate there en masse in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy. The situation devolves into an emotional issue made more acute by the fact that a neighboring town is the birthplace of one of the crew members killed and dragged through the streets of war-torn Somalia in the incident known as “Black Hawk Down”.

A firestorm of controversy erupts when Lewiston Mayor Larry Raymond sends an open letter to the Somali elders advising them that the city’s resources are strained to the limit and asking them to tell other Somalis not to move into the city. Interpreted as racism by some and a rallying cry by white supremacist groups across the United States, “THE LETTER” documents the ensuing cross-currents of emotions and events, including a “hate” rally convened by The World Church of the Creator and a counter “peace” rally involving nearly 4,000 Lewiston residents supporting ethnic and cultural diversity.

“THE LETTER” offers a topical, comprehensive look at the dynamics of immigration many cities and countries worldwide now confront in this age of “globalization” and the clash of alien cultures and religions that inevitably follows.

The AFI FEST 2003 (November 6-16) will feature over 140 films through an International Competition of first and second time filmmakers, as well as through ambitious regional showcases of international cinema.

For more information contact Bert Brown at 860-434-0309 or by email at Bert@HamzehMystiqueFilms.com