Young Arabs

Offering a possible glimpse into the future of Arab leadership in the Middle East, Young Arabs captures a short but telling encounter with a number of adolescent students at a prestigious academy for boys in Cairo, Egypt. Filmmakers Michael Graziano and E. Joong-eun Park present scenes of the teens at work and play (rugby is a favorite pastime), but the heart of the documentary lies in listening to these boys talk about their future responsibilities, the state of the Middle East, terrorism, and—most of all—America. Thoughtful observations are shared about Israel, 9/11, and Islam (“Muslims did not create terrorism,” one teen says), but the most fascinating comments revolve around U.S. pop culture, with important touchstones for the students including Oprah Winfrey, Mel Gibson, the TV series' 24 and Pimp My Ride, professional wrestling, and the rock band Green Day. “We love America as a country, but not the president or policies,” says one of the young men in Young Arabs, which was filmed during the Bush era. An intriguing and hopeful film, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)