About

'Abu Amar, a Jordanian ex-Mujahid and father of eight children, used to run a supermarket that he named 'Al Jihad'. Now he gathers cardboard on the streets of Zarqa, Jordan's second largest city, in order to scrape together a living for his family. As his situation deteriorates Abu has to make a radical decision. This is a revealing and beautifully shot portrait of a desperate man, whose religious beliefs are put to the test in the face of humiliating poverty. Director Mahmoud al-Massad illustrates the tensions that exist in the city in which he himself grew up and which was also the place of birth of the notorious Al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab az-Zarqawi. Through the lives of Abu Amar, his family and neighbours, we are taken to the roots of Muslim fundamentalism, with its seemingly endless cycle of poverty and degradation that seems to produce an ever replenishing source of men who are prepared to take part in Jihad.' Munich International Documentary Film Festival

'Abu Ammar, the film's main character, exemplifies the situation in Zarqa as well as many other problem areas in the Middle East – how the tough environment, the harsh economy, the complexities of religion, economy and politics can ferment to create potentially explosive situations. I discovered that people do not always have unambiguous convictions that lead to action. Every individual participates in conflict between internal beliefs and external forces. They question, they reflect and they recycle.' Mahmoud Al Massad

Ages 18+